1934 Marx Buck Rogers 25 Century Rocket Ship w/Orig Box Highest grade box Ive seen in NM cond! Toy EXC+ to NM. Start Price USD 75.00 Current Price USD 3,282.00 Time Left - Bid Count 27 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Monday, September 08, 2008 End Time Monday, September 15, 2008 Location New Jersey See more about '1934 Marx Buck Rogers 25 Century Rocket Ship w/Orig Box' Description Toy Name FREE U.S.A. Shipping Toy Name: Marx, Buck Rogers 25th Century Rocket Ship in Original Box Year:  1934 Description: The Buck Rogers 25th Century Rocket Ship is recognized as one of Marx's best designed and most sought after toys. Characterized by its brilliant multicolored steel lithography, streamlined torpedo shape, and fish-like appearance, it faithfully follows Dick Calkins original design of Buck's "Inter-Planetary Rocket Cruiser". This example is one of the top 10 best  I've owned, grading in excellent+ to near mint condition. However, its single-most remarkable aspect is the condition of the original box. Grading in astounding near mint condition, it's the closest example I've seen to being flawless.  The ship was designed with a futuristic-looking elliptical body having five embossed bubble hatch covers and eight fins, or wings. The largest of these are a pair of wings on the underside of the toy which start at the center and extend backwards along the fuselage. This pair also hides the large wheels which move the toy. A third, smaller wheel centered near the rear exhaust provides stability and traction. In addition the ship has a single, wavy, elongated fin on the top-center fuselage, and a pair of rounded, flat, horizontal fins near the nose and exhaust port. The upright rear tailfin, with it's scalloped edging, has the most fish-like appearance. This fin is removable to access the flint holder underneath it and is frequently lost or replaced. However, this one is original and has a working, sparkling flint. To "colorize" the emitted sparks, the exhaust port was designed with three die cut ovals lined with transparent green celluloid (also original). It has a strong clockwork motor with stop/star lever which makes a loud "boing-boing" sound as it moves. The key is attached. It's interesting to note that Marx unknowingly showed Buck and Wilma in the front right observation window wearing headgear produced by a competitor, The Daisy Manufacturing Company. John Dille, the publisher of the Buck Rogers comic strip strategized that this was a way of providing free advertising for other products. Images of Dr. Huer and Buck Rogers are lithoed in the observation window on the left side of the ship. The ship's belly was lithoed with the Buck Rogers oval logo, plus the Marx name and trademark. The patent grant date of March 15, 1927 refers to the generic clockwork gearing and sparking mechanism. It's not a manufacturing date. Dick Calkins also illustrated the box for this toy. Two panels show Buck and Wilma waving to the ship's crew as it blasts into the starry blue space. The only text on these panels is the toy name. The two yellow panels show a sequence of drawings of the rocket leaving the Earth with it getting larger as it enters space. The toy name was repeated along with advertising text, plus the manufacturer name and address. Like many early Louis Marx boxes, the endflaps were of two different designs. One with all text uses a "permanently" locked tab with the instructions to "open other end". Frequently the tab, endflap, or the entire set of flaps on this end are torn away. The opposite end has a hinged endflap to easily open and close. It includes another illustration of the rocket shown above an exhaust shaped smoke-ring. The actual name of the rocket, "Inter-Planetary Rocket Cruiser", was printed on this flap. The inner flaps on this end were not left blank. The upper half was printed with a schematic of the ship's operation and flint replacement. The lower half includes text information describing the schematic. The last time I found a high grade example of this toy with its original box was nearly three years ago.  Size: 12". Condition: The rocket grades excellent+ to near mint with only the most minimal signs of use. The litho surfaces haven't any dings or dents, with all of the original detail and coloration. The underbelly, just behind the logo, doesn't have the typical broad scuffing that is frequently seen. Instead, there are several tiny nicks and a faint, short rub. I've shown these in the 5th photo from the bottom. In addition the Louis Marx name inside the rectangle (also on the underbelly) has a narrow hairline scratch about ½" long although it's so light that you can't even see it in the photo. The very tips of the large wheel wings have tiny points of wear, as well as two tiny nicks on the bottom edge of the right wheel wing. The wheels themselves have just a narrow discontinuous wear line around their rim edges. These condition points can also be seen in the 5th photo from the bottom. The upper half of the ship does have some overall age darkening which, although light, is most noticeable when compared to the bottom half. There are however only a few tiny scattered nicks and pinpoint size wear spots. These can be found on the tip of the nose, fins, and wing edges. The flat section of the dorsal fin (top-center fuselage) has several nicks on it as well as a faint ¼" body scratch just in back of the third hatch cover from the front. This same fin, although not dented or bent, is cocked just a tinge to the right. It's so slight that I only noticed it only after I examined my own photo's. It's not a condition issue, but was probably manufactured that way. The rear celluloid panels covering the exhausts are all intact without any cracking. The motor works well and it does spark. All in all, the slightly darkened appearance, plus the few tiny nicks on the underbelly are the main reasons why I didn't grade it higher. The condition of the box is absolutely magnificent. It's one of the few times where the box actually grades higher than the toy. Superb near mint and complete with every original panel, all intact, and without a single repair, touch-up, or replacement. The colors are just amazingly strong without any fading. Just some faint darkening from age, which, although typical, is much less than usually seen. Every panel edge is razor sharp without so much as a pinpoint spot of wear. Only the endflaps which are permanently locked closed show any sign that it was handled. Two faint creases in the upper half flap, faint pencil notations just to the right of the word "Rocket", a short tear in the lower flap "above the word END", some scattered edge softening, and a tiny tear in the upper right and lower left corners are the only factors which it from grading h9higher. It hasn't any actual corner wear. The opposite hinged endflap has only a single nick type indentation on its upper left edge. As far as the panels, one of the main blue panels has a tiny faint, rub in the smoke ring exhaust (first box photo), and one of the main yellow panels has a faint crease on its lower left corner with a tiny perforation above the "L" in the word "Absolutely". The paper is still all in place so you can barely see this (third box photo down from the top). That's it! My Item No. 08-0140   American Toys; Quality 19th and 20th Century Antique Toys MY ANTIQUE TOY GUARANTEE: 7 day money back guarantee for full purchase price, minus shipping costs, if you're not satisfied FOR ANY REASON. This guarantee is void if your returned item is not in the same condition as originally shipped. I do not charge "restocking" fees.  I do not sell reproduction toys. I guarantee to refund your purchase in full, if any toy I sell is found to be a reproduction for as long as you own the toy. This offer applies only if the toy has not been resold, and only to the original buyer. REPAINTED OR REPLACED PARTS: Condition is everything! I always strive, whenever possible, to sell only toys that are complete and in original condition. However, I will always indicate in those rare instances when parts have been replaced or when touch-ups have been made. MY SHIPPING GUARANTEE and RATES: FREE shipping for all domestic packages. Items selling for more than $200 will be insured for free. Under $200 will be the responsibility of the buyer. Free delivery confirmation will also be included. I use the U.S. Post Office as the primary carrier. However, UPS (United Parcel Service) or Fedex may be substituted at my discretion. INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING RATES: I welcome customers from anywhere in the world as long as payment is made using guaranteed funds received within 10 calendar days from the date the auction ended. Global Express shipping is required. It's the only international shipping process which can be tracked. Plus it's 3 to 4 times faster than Global Priority Mail (days versus weeks). Many first time customers comment about the cost, but I haven't had one complaint once they've used this service. Sure, it usually costs a few dollars more, but it's well worth the expense. As with every toy I sell any estimated overpaid shipping costs greater than $1 will be refunded to you through Paypal. Packages shipped outside of the U.S. that become lost, damaged, or held by Customs are the sole responsibility of the buyer. Free International shipment is no longer available...sorry, I can't afford it. NEW TO E-BAY?: Bidders with five (5) positive feedback stars or less must contact me prior to bidding. Bidders who do not comply will have their bid removed.  PACKAGING: One thing you can be sure of when you buy from American Toys is careful packaging.  Check my feedback and see for yourself.  Sturdy brand new shipping boxes are always used. Just about every toy I sell is double boxed.   OFFERS TO 2nd PLACE BIDDERS: I do not make offers to 2nd place bidders.  PAYMENT: Paypal, Credit Cards, Money order, Check, or Bank Wire Transfer in U.S. dollars payable to American Toys. I don't charge additional fees for customers preferring to use Paypal, or Credit Cards.  Payment for all wire transfer fees are the responsibility of the buyer.          or  Payment must be received within 10 calendar days after the close of the auction. Toys paid in full with Paypal, money orders, or credit cards are usually shipped the next business day. Checks must wait 10 business days to clear. New Jersey residents please add 7% sales tax, or supply valid NJ Tax ID number. LAYAWAY PAYMENTS (Please read these terms carefully). Available for any item over $250 at 0% interest.  40% within 24 hours after auction ends (Paypal, Credit Card). 30% within 30 days after the auction ends. 30% within 60 days after the auction ends.  Late Layaway Payments: The transaction will be canceled if accrued payments are late by more than 3 days. A 15% restocking fee + ebay fees + return postage fees, if any, will be applied. The toy will be returned to stock and the remaining balance will be refunded.  CHECK OUT: I'll send a personal invoice directly to the high bidder once the auction has ended. You'll also receive a duplicate invoice through Ebay. QUESTIONS: I encourage questions from any interested bidder. Drop me a line and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. You'll always have all the information you need from me before placing your bid....as long as you ask.  Thanks and GOOD LUCK................... Danny K. American Toys Associate Member  International Society of Appraisers Antiques Roadshow Collectibles Book 2003 Workman Publishing Contributing author & photographer Marx Toys: Have You All Of Them? Clockwork & Mechanical Toys Currently in-draft Gold PowerSeller since 2000 ebay Seller since 1997 Place a Bid!