Vintage Manufacturer Markings

This is something I have been thinking of getting started for a while now. I have pawned through the pages and pages of vintage vinyl topics, and one thing that seems omitted is a thread for markings for vintage companies (e.g. stamps, names, symbols, etc.). Considering that, aside from all the typical questions looking for prices, the vast majority of these posts seem focused on toy ID'ing, it seems this might be a good resource to help people out, particularly those new to the field.

Full props to CT and its extensive coverage, but there is still a gap for other vintage manufacturers, like Popy, Nakajima, old Bandai, and other smaller lines. And I think aside from being used as an aid to ID toys (a starting place at least) it is really interesting to see if/how companies changed their branding on vinyl through the years. It is especially useful for Japanese toys, 'cause let's face it, they aren't all Bullmark, and we can't all read kanji/hiragana/katakana. So to get the ball rolling as an example of what I am thinking, here is a vintage Marusan stamp (then carried on into the Bullmark line):



In the coming weeks I will try and snag pics of some other 'feet' and such to keep the database growing.

 

Very good idea - I'd been thinking I'd like to do something similar for modern repos and makers of repo-like new toys. A compare/contrast thing for all sorts of stuff, but it started when I was curious about the markings on the various reissues of the Marusan/Bullmark Godzilla.
Maybe that can happen here too, but I wouldn't mind a sister thread.

Spotted today in the Sales Dept. ---

 

Here are a few more guys. Sorry for all the upskirt shots. Bigger versions available on my flickr page. The Bandai and Nakajima I am just reposting to show examples of the writing as well, in addition to boots/no boots. I haven't identified the top right, so if someone can read it, PM me.

 

Thanks for the help. The other foot is just marked Japan, so maybe this guy was just a promotional figure for the film, if he only carries the copyright info and no company markings. Still a great figure to me. Thanks again for the information, I will have to post some more of my mystery guys

 

Nice thread revival Grace! I definitely think, even with most of the large companies covered, it is always helpful (and nice) to see more pics of toy stamps. It would also be interesting to see an evolution of the stamp version as the companies goes through its production. In hindsight, I wish I would have posted links to full-size photos of the above, something I should rectify when/if I can find the originals.

I have a fairly clear shot of the Shimada toy logo I posted in the mail thread (albeit not mine), so I can carry that one over here. Here is the 'chick' logo belonging to the Shimada Toy company (島田トーイに) , who was the vinyl manufacturer for both Marusan and Bullmark during their heyday in the '60s and '70s . That is why you often see their stamp on toys from both companies covering the 'transition' period (sometimes wiped out/scratched from the mold on later toys). Noted common examples of this are on standard sized toys for TOHO licenses Gabara and Minya.

for reference

pic borrowed from the ever amazing and resourceful Amazing Toy blog

 

Yeah, I wasn't paying attention, but you are totally right Dennis. That is the same as on the Barugon I posted above, which you've already very helpfully identified. (Looks like Grace grabbed this stamp shot from a Gamera, hence the easy confusion.) Thanks for all the help man!