| The picture below shows larger views of both sides of this Rare Early Cracker Jack Pop Corn Confection Miniature Pot Metal or Lead Toy Prize Automobile with Flags and Passengers. This early automobile prize is not dated but it is believed to be from the 1910s or 1920s. This could be a parade car with politicians. We would guess that the different flags are from Japan. Parts of the vehicle, passengers, driver, and two flags are inked in red. It was made in “JAPAN” but the manufacturer is unknown. Many of the pot metal or lead prizes were manufactured by the Tootsietoy Company of Chicago, Illinois. There were other companies, including from Japan prior to World War II. Some of these type prizes were made specifically for Cracker Jack, while others were made as novelties, bought in volume, and used as prizes by The Cracker Jack Company. Pot metal or lead prizes were some of the earliest prizes that were used in Cracker Jack boxes from the 1910s to the 1940s. Many of these type prizes or novelties were also sold out of old Johnson Smith & Company catalog as well as some other early novelty catalogs, also used in fortune telling sets, and some were also sold and used as board game parts. Many of these can be found factory painted, inked, or with no finish at all. This miniature auto with driver measures about 1-3/16'' x 3/4'' x 3/16''. It appears to be in near mint condition as pictured. The running boards have slight bends, but could be straightened just by touching them. It wasn’t noticed when the pictures were taken. |
