Yonezawa STS was founded in the 1950's and was one of the largest and most creative of all (post-war) Japanese tin toy producers. Some of these toys were marked STS. The origin of this STS label remains unclear, but it could be a toy importer.
It was a large toy maker, producing thousands of different mechanical (friction, clockwork, etc.) but also all sorts of battery operated toys from the 1950's through the early 1970's.
The firm shortly dabbled in RC toys in the mid-1980s with the Wave Hunter buggy (scale 1/10), in North America known as the Monogram Lightning.
It is uncertain what has become of Yonezawa STS, but some believe it is nowadays involved in the manufacturing of (industrial) electronics.
What's it worth? Take a look at this Yonezawa price guide: sold listings for a value indication.
►reply: You could also ask sellers on eBay if there's one for sale to scan a copy: Yonezawa cook.
I have an oldsmobile (Super 88?) hardtop sedan 1951 I believe with no interior, looking much like the 1952 convertible but obviously an earlier model. It is blue and I can find it listed in no completed auctions. Any ideas?
I have two(2) Yonezawa Komatsu D355A bulldozers that need replacement rubber tracks. Anyone know where I could get them?
►reply: There are a couple of toy repair shops so best is to try your luck there, for example: Uncle Al's Toys, Randy's Toy Shop and Thomas Antique Toy Parts or maybe you can find one for parts: Yonezawa bulldozer.
►reply: I am not an expert on this... maybe try your luck here: tinplatetoys.blogspot.com.
I have a Yonezawa Northwest Airplane --I am wondering if there are instructions on how it works with the stop and go action door opening and closing etc.
Once upon a time, my uncle bought me a Yonezawa jet airliner. I was playing with the airplane and my uncle said "Where are you going kid? Cuba!"
►reply: Nice one, haha :-) ! And, and did you make it to Cuba?
►reply: At this point there is a blue/red/white striped bus with the text 'G.M. Coach' with box for sale on eBay for a whopping 2900 USD. Not sure if it's going to sell for this price though... Click here to search for Yonezawa busses to compare prices.
I came by a tin model car that I believe was made by Yonezawa. The logolooks right. The model is of an early year (60-62) Plymouth Valiant, medium blue. Even though Valiant did not make convertibles of this early body style this model IS a convertible. It has a friction motor driven by the rear wheels, and apparently once had windshield wipers (now missing) that moved back and forth. The one I have is also missing the two (red?) taillights that should snap into openings at the rear of its fenders. Everrything else is in place and the car rolls fine and produces the friction "growling" sound. Does anyone have information about what I REALLY have here? Thanks.
I have a yonezawa tin toy with a pat. no. on the side and was wondering how I can look it up using this. I have been unable to find this exact toy anywhere. Can anyone help? Thank you.