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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