Sun Rubber Co. Toys (7 Views)

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Sun Rubber Company, Barberton, Ohio: Much is known about The Sun Rubber Company of Barberton, Ohio. Sun had been successfully producing a toy line, including a small rubber doll, and a very popular toy hot water bottle, since 1924. Over the next decade, growth continued at Sun with sales of a teething ring and bath sets, as well as more dolls and doll accessories. The company entered into the rubber toy car business in 1934 with a patent for a 1934 DeSoto Airflow. The company prospered, and the toy line continued to expand.

As is clear from the photos here, most rubber toys were played with, not kept on the shelf. Collectors find them in condition ranging from battered and torn to pristine, as with most old toys. One of the many charms of rubber toys, however, is the aging of their wonderful paint. When they came out of the press, the toys were a mottled beige or solid black. Colors were added by dipping, spraying and hand-painting, and the finishes were very durable.

One distinct difference between the very successful Auburn and Sun rubber toys is the styling. While Auburn focused on making their toys realistic miniatures of the automobiles and trucks of the day, Sun took a long-term view designing its toys. Cars and trucks were meant to defy obsolescence and hold childrens' interest year after year. Simple, colorful, and sleek vehicles later were joined by a line of Disney and Warner Brothers toys, including Porky Pig, Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse. Sun also sold many race cars, military vehicles, and airplanes. The race cars are readily found, though like the Disney and Warner Brothers toys the heads of drivers often are severely damaged or missing.

Auburn Jet Fighter (L), Sun Pursuit Fighter (R)