This Rocket Police Patrol Ship toy from 1934 was merchandise for Buck Rogers, the popular space-based adventure series. Rogers first appeared in Philip Francis Nowlan's story "Armageddon 2419 A.D." published in the pulp magazine Amazing Stories in August 1928. When he bought the character for a comic strip, National Newspaper Service president John F. Dille suggested renaming him "Buck" to capitalize on the popularity of Westerns. The Buck Rogers comic strip (written by Nowlan and illustrated by Dick Calkins) debuted in 1929, followed by a color Sunday strip in 1930 and a radio program in 1932.
In advertisements published in December 1934, this toy was advertised by Louis Marx & Co. as a "flashing roaring speeding sky police patrol rocket ship" that "shoots out harmless sparks as it darts across the floor."
Collector Michael O'Harro donated the toy to the Museum in 1993.
Display Status
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
MEMORABILIA-Popular Culture
Manufacturer
Louis Marx & Co.
Dimensions
3-D: 31.8 x 10.2 x 12.7cm (12 1/2 x 4 x 5 in.)
Materials
Overall, tin
Inventory Number
A19970684000
Credit Line
Gift of Michael O'Harro
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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