Japanese Wooden Toy Boat, ca. 1950
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GUEST:
I believe it to be Japanese. The motors are Japanese. It's electric, runs on nine D cell batteries. I bought it at a garage sale about 15, 18 years ago. I've had it on display in my kitchen since then, uh, but with the display stand under it, and, uh, I collect toy boats, so I saw it, I had to have it.
APPRAISER:
I like the way you made this little wavy display. It sort of lifts it up so you can really see it well, 'cause on the hull, it's a little wobbly. It's Japanese, it was made postwar, which means in the late '40s, early '50s, when Japan was trying to make a lot of stuff to sell to, to get out from under the debt of World War II. There's really no known maker. This is really exciting. This is as big a Japanese wooden boat I've ever seen.
GUEST:
Oh, wow.
APPRAISER:
It's just incredible. And it has just incredible detail and incredible condition-- as you know, condition is everything.
GUEST:
Yes.
APPRAISER:
Along with the wood, of course, we have these wonderful little lifeboats, ten, all in stamped tin. What's really interesting is that you have all of them, and that's what really helps make this a really incredible piece. Other metal components are the railings. And it's nice that they have quite a few little lights here that are part, illuminate while this boat is whipping through the waves. (chuckles) And I'm sure, as you know, um, uh, as a boat collector, that completeness is very, very important.
GUEST:
Yes.
APPRAISER:
I've always thought these were so much fun 'cause they were battery-operated. There's, uh, fittings for nine D cell batteries. That's a pretty hefty weight. Uh, makes for a pretty steady keel to keep even in the water.
GUEST:
Oh, yeah. (chuckles)
APPRAISER:
Can you imagine seeing this operating in the water?
GUEST:
Yeah, I know. I, I've never had it in the water, but I could... I always think about the kid that would've gotten it as a, as a Christmas gift or something, and then...
APPRAISER:
Absolutely.
GUEST:
Every kid's dream.
APPRAISER:
And what'd you say you paid, about $100, about?
GUEST:
About $100, yes.
APPRAISER:
Well, I think it wasn't a bad buy. It's the largest I've ever seen. Today's world, auction value, I'd put it $2,000 to $2,500.
GUEST:
What? $2,000 to $2,500?
APPRAISER:
Yeah.
GUEST:
Wow!
APPRAISER:
Yeah.
GUEST:
Wow. (laughs)
APPRAISER:
I think it's just fantastic.
GUEST:
I'll have to find a better place f, to display it now.
APPRAISER:
(chuckles): Yes, yes, take... Move it to the living room.
GUEST:
Exactly. (laughs) Wasn't a bad buy.
APPRAISER:
No, I think you did all right. (laughs): Yeah.
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