In 1966, the iconic Louis Marx & Co. introduced a unique line of miniature plastic toys called Rolykins — small figures mounted on a rolling metal ball bearing. These charming little toys, standing around 1.25 inches tall, combined static character figures with interactive play value, allowing children to push and glide them across surfaces. With a gentle nudge, a Rolykin could roll smoothly in any direction, adding a fun and unpredictable element to playtime.
Approximately £49.82 on ebay, February 2025.
The Rolykins line covered a diverse range of characters, reflecting Marx’s knack for tapping into popular culture. Among the earliest and most sought-after Rolykins were figures of Batman and Robin, released at the height of Batmania driven by the 1966 Batman television show. These tiny caped crusaders were not only sold individually in small illustrated boxes, but they were also part of a dedicated retail display box, which is now a prized collector’s item in its own right. In fact, the original packaging and retail displays are now even rarer than the figures themselves, making them especially desirable to collectors.
Rolykins were an offshoot of another successful Marx line called Disneykins, which featured dozens of Disney characters as static plastic miniatures. For the Rolykin range, only a select handful of Disney characters were given the rolling treatment, including Dopey from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. These hand-painted figures were not known for their artistic precision, but their charming simplicity and kinetic movement gave them a unique appeal.
Beyond superheroes and Disney icons, Marx expanded the Rolykins range into the world of science fiction. In 1965, just before the main Rolykins launch, Marx produced a set of Dalek Rolykins inspired by Doctor Who. These small, menacing Daleks, gliding effortlessly thanks to their ball-bearing base, perfectly captured the Daleks’ signature movement from the show. Dalek Rolykins were particularly popular in the UK, where Doctor Who was enjoying massive popularity.
Another notable addition to the line was World Cup Willie, the lion mascot of the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England. As the first official World Cup mascot, World Cup Willie became an icon, and his inclusion in the Rolykins range highlighted Marx’s ability to capture contemporary cultural moments through their toys.
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