Fisher Price
I love the old Fisher Price toys and have customers come into the gallery and reminisce when they see them in the vintage section on their own toys. Most styles are easy to track their era by the printed paper lithos that make up the outside.
https://artoftoys.com/product/fisher-price-1961-chatter-phone/
The Fisher Price Toy Company began operation on October 1, 1930 in East Aurora, N. Y. Herman Fisher and Irving Price combined their names to title the company. As Fisher-Price built it’s talented work force, the contributions of Helen M. Schelle and Margaret Evans Price were invaluable. Schelle managed the company and Evans Price was one of the first artists.
The first line debuted in 1931. Because pine was abundant and easy to work with, it was the main wood used in the construction of Fisher Price toys. Heavy cardboard with inserted brass eyelets to prevent wear from spinning axles was also used during the 1930’s. When the U. S. entered World War II, Fisher Price, Like many companies, turned to different type of manufacturing. Fisher Price produced essential wood items such as cots and bomb crates and toys from 1943 to 1946 were made from scrap wood and metal parts painted instead of plated.
Experimentation with plastics did not take place until the 50’s…. this will also be a clue when dating your old toys. In the 60’s plastic took over as the main material.
The most important factor to consider when accessing the value of Fisher Price toy is the paper lithography. A toy in MINT condition has absolutely no wear or damage. Lithography, paint, wheels, etc are complete. Comic character toys such as Disney or Popeye demand higher prices. Rarity is based on the number of toys produced over time and the amount in existence.
