Artillery Set

This is the only sample of this toy I have ever seen for sale. The description below was taken from the first record of this toys sale. The second sale was to my father who gave it to me as a Christmas gift in 2011. The very last description was taken from Grand Old Toys web site. I did edit the description to fit the tank in the this set. 

Marx Toys (UK) Tinplate Artillery Set

Tuesday 22nd February 2011 10:30am

Lot 1316

Marx Toys (UK) tinplate Artillery Set - unusual Set containing large tinplate cannon, 28cm long, 4-wheeled Artillery Trailer - military green, 20cm, together with a clockwork WW1 style Tank with permanent key - silver, clockwork is in working order however one of the rubber tracks has perished and the remains are in the box otherwise a Good Plus unusual Set, the first Vectis have had, still with the original illustrated box, some glue repairs to lid otherwise Fair.

(http://www.vectis.co.uk/Page/Index.aspx)

Judging from the box and the year that Marx released the toy into the US market, I would estimate this toy to be from 1930. There is no description for the set in the Marx Greenburg’s Guides, nor any mention of this set. This is also the only known set that clearly shows the large cannon was made by Marx. The cannon is readily available but often miss labeled, or not identified at all. There are no Marx logos on the cannon or “limber” (trailer). The turnover tank is clearly labeled with the embossed logo on the top panel, then the red lithographic logo on the rear panel.  

The box is large 13 X 11 X 6: the box consists of four parts, the lid, the base and then two inserts used to keep the toys securely in the box. One of the odd things abut this box is that the lithography was printed on paper and then glued onto the box. The interior of the box was done this way as well but with white paper. I do believe this is all original, however this is the only box I have seen with this technique. The box clearly says where it was manufactured, “Made IN ENGLAND By Louis Marx & Co. LTD. Dudley worcs.”

This very last description was taken from Grand Old Toys web site. I did edit the description to fit the tank in the this set. 

This diamond shaped pressed steel WWI design tank was only the second produced by the company. Selling for $1.59 through the 1931 Sears catalog it features several improvements over the 1930 model. Foremost, it sold for 20¢ less in 1931 (although this was still a lot of money).

It also featured a powerful clockwork motor which could not be overwound, a hook for pulling loads many times its weight, a governor to regulate speed, long running on one winding, heavy duty stop/start switch, and sturdy construction. It was available for only one year, most likely because of its price. 

The tank is all silver. It has one top gun, two side guns, and a bottom gun. Like the actual WWI American tank it was patterned after,  it could run right side up, or upside down. To accomplish this the top and bottom guns were tucked in below the height of the treads. It is not a sparking tank. 

It's original 1930 patent indicated that as it met an tall obstacle it would start to climb, turn over, and then try again. The angle was such that in its new position it could easily climb over the obstacle. This is depicted on the side of the box. To exemplify this claim the Marx logo was identically lithographed on both the top and bottom of the toy. This way it would appear correct no matter which side was up.

The toy also featured wedge mounted embossed side guns, embossed turrets, and an attached cast iron key.