Maco (toy company)
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.[8]
Anti gun toy controversy
In 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.[9]
External links
- Company information from the Truly Awful Stuff blog
- Catalog information from Comic Book Resources
References
- ↑ http://www.mbaskool.com/brandguide/media-and-entertainment/8143-maco-toys.html
- ↑ http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=F30812FF3E55127B93C5AB1789D95F478685F9
- ↑ http://www.toysthrutime.com/browse.asp?id=170
- ↑ http://comicbookrealm.com/series/36035/314455/maco-toys-comic-issue-1
- ↑ https://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=419261
- ↑ http://user.pa.net/~the.macs/MACO.html
- ↑ http://www.antiquesnavigator.com/d-863354/1950%E2%80%99s-maco-toy-company-army-paratrooper-carbine.html
- ↑ http://www.mbaskool.com/brandguide/media-and-entertainment/8143-maco-toys.html
- ↑ http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=F40A13F7355B167B93C4AB1788D85F418585F9