Maco Toys, Inc., was the name of a popular toy company[1] based in Brooklyn, New York[2] which produced war-themed toys for children in the 1950s and 1960s.[3] Their toys were sold in a catalog that was illustrated by Tony Tallarico and printed by Charlton Comics[4] which presented itself as a war comic book.[5] (These toys were also sold in toy stores.) Products included plastic guns (including the M1903 Springfield rifle[6] and an Army Paratrooper Carbine [7]), grenades, and a plastic Molotov cocktail.
The company's products were available in stores throughout the United States, but had a limited range of products and did not operate in other countries. Competitors included Hawk Model Company, Applause Inc, and Louis Marx and Company.[1]
Anti gun toy controversy
editIn 1955, the New York City Council passed a bill to ban the manufacture, sale or possession of imitation revolvers that resemble the real article too closely. In a debate about the measure, an Army .45 caliber automatic manufactured by Maco was used as an example of a toy gun which was similar enough to the real model to be used as a weapon in a robbery.[8]
External links
edit- Company information from the Truly Awful Stuff blog
- Catalog information from Comic Book Resources
References
edit- ^ a b "Maco Toys SWOT Analysis | Competitors & USP | BrandGuide". MBA Skool-Study.Learn.Share.
- ^ "OCEAN SIDE PARCEL CHANGES OWNERS; Maco Toys Acquires 1-Story Building on 2-Acre Plot Sale in Huntington Maspeth Plot in Transfer Deal in Woodside". timesmachine.nytimes.com.
- ^ "Maco Items at Toys Thru Time". www.toysthrutime.com. Archived from the original on 2014-04-13.
- ^ "Maco Toys Comic Issue 1 (Charlton Comics) ComicBookRealm.com". Comic Book Realm.
- ^ "Maco Toys Full Color Comics (1959) comic books". www.mycomicshop.com.
- ^ "MACO Training Rifle". user.pa.net. Archived from the original on 2014-04-13.
- ^ "1950's Maco Toy Company Army Paratrooper Carbine -- Antique Price Guide Details Page". dealers.antiquesnavigator.com.
- ^ "MAYOR HOLDS UP ON TOY GUN BAN; Own Sons Are Quick on Draw, Smiling Wagner Is Told at Hearing on Bill". timesmachine.nytimes.com.