Brontosaurus (Marx)

Before we begin the review, I would like to take a brief aside and recollect for a moment, as the date of this posting has some significance to me personally. Today, July 16^th, 2021, is my 10-year anniversary writing for the Dinosaur Toy Blog. It was on this day in 2011 that my first review was posted here, the AAA woolly rhinoceros. Since then, I’ve remained one of the most consistent and frequent posters on the blog, with 181 reviews covering 102 genera to my name. Also, in that time I’ve lived in four different houses, 2 different states, worked two different jobs, mourned the loss of my father, and celebrated the birth of my daughter. The DTB has been one of the few constants in my life over the last decade, and an escape when I’ve needed one, which was particularly useful in 2020. For that I want to thank the members of the forum, readers of the blog, friends I’ve made along the way, my wife who has read EVERY SINGLE REVIEW, and of course Dr. Adam Smith who made all of this possible to begin with.

Today’s review wasn’t intended to be anything special to mark my anniversary, it’s another Marx toy and I’ve been reviewing those for about a year now, but I guess it is special in the way that all Marx toys are. The Marx Brontosaurus was released alongside the Tyrannosaurus and Kronosaurus, as part of Marx’s Large Mold Group PL749. First produced in 1955 these represent the first actual dinosaur toys ever produced in plastic. SRG (Sell Rite Gifts) produced dinosaurs in 1947 but they were metal decorative souvenirs, not actual toys. Can you imagine what it must have been like as a kid to see the release of the world’s first dinosaur toys? For some readers of the blog, it might not be that difficult to imagine. I’m sure a few of you are old enough to have seen the entire history of dinosaur toys unfold within your own lifetime, from Marx to PNSO within 66 years. In my own case, I have fond memories of playing with my father’s Marx toys as a kid.

Measuring 8” in length and standing 3” tall to the top of the head, the Marx Brontosaurus is one of the largest, and certainly the longest, of the Marx prehistoric animal toys. Two different variants of the toy exist, the original 1955 version and the revised version from 1959. The differences between them are negligible, consisting of a difference in text placement and mold circle size. My copy has small mold circles on the feet and print on the belly that is skewed towards the right side of the toy. This makes it a revised Brontosaurus. The original has text printed centrally on the underside and larger mold circles on the feet. For pictures that directly compare the two I recommend the Dinosaurs Toys Collectors Guide.

This is a classic Brontosaurus depiction, looking like it just lumbered out of a steaming, primordial swamp, painted by Zallinger, Burian, or Knight. This was the common depiction of its day but unlike most Marx toys it’s hard to pinpoint the exact source of inspiration for this one. To me it looks most like Knight’s various Brontosaurus pieces.

Being a Brontosaurus from 1955 things like the Camarasaurus-like head, elephantine feet, and low swung tail should be expected and at least on this toy, appreciated. This isn’t the product of scientific ignorance, nostalgia, or pop culture expectations, like so many modern dinosaur toys or restorations. No, in 1955 this was a scientifically accurate toy. It was inspired by the leading paleo-artists of their time that used scientific consensus to bring these animals to life. Toys like this, and the art they were based on, are the foundation on which dinosaur science, art, and pop culture have been built, every bit as significant as the sculptures in Crystal Palace Park or the newly built Sue at the Chicago Field Museum.

The Marx Brontosaurus is presented in a striding posture, with the neck and tail sweeping leftward and the head looking forward. Interestingly, the tail is not dragging on the ground, but it comes close. The face has a stoic expression, one now befitting the age of the toy. This Brontosaurus looks indifferent, perhaps confident that it’s not on anyone’s menu.

The mouth is a straight line that wraps around the face, no grinning or frowning. Some wrinkles are sculpted around the mouth and neck. Detail on the rest of the body is limited to wrinkles and skin folds. The eyes are positioned far atop the head, looking somewhat like a salamander or frog. The name Brontosaurus is printed on the bottom, with a length of 70’.

For Marx collectors, or those interested in the history of dinosaur toys and art, this is a must have piece. One of the holy grails of the Marx line. Thankfully, you don’t have to pay too much in order to acquire it. Although Marx dinosaurs are the most vintage of all dinosaur toys they still sell for pretty cheap. The Brontosaurus is one of the more expensive pieces though, averaging about $20 on eBay. Certain color variants might cost more than others and beware of the painted knockoffs which lose a lot of the finer details that the official Marx toys have.