Vintage Friendship-7 tin space capsule, friction, Horikawa Japan 1960's, v clean

This tin space capsule is from Japanese toy maker Yoshiya Horikawa S. H mark circa 1960's.

The toy also separately carries the "KTS" mark, for Tatsuya Shoten, representing a collaborative manufacturing and distribution relationship between these two prominent companies. The toy measures about 6.5 long and is decorated in blue litho with red and silver accents. The nose cone is red plastic. There are two clear plastic windows through which you can see a 3-dimensional tin astronaut seated behind an instrument panel.

The capsule is marked " Friendship-7 " on each side, a tribute to NASA's Project Mercury which launched the first US astronauts into space and brough them back safely. John Glenn piloted a Mercury capsule named Friendship-7 on February 20, 1962 to become the first American to orbit the Earth. The toy appears to have had very little play use and has been remarkably well preserved, with only a few light scratches and zero rust.

Both windows are clear and intact. The friction motor works well - give the capsule a few quick "revs", let it go and it zooms forward as expected. The flint mechanism that would originally have produced sparks at the rear of the capsule is no longer working. Please see the video and photos for more info. This is a very nice space toy with great interior detail that works and presents extremely well.

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