The J. Chein & Co. Toy Manufacturers
Julius Chein (pronounced ‘chain’) established J. Chein & Co. in 1903 with a factory in Harrison, New Jersey. By the 1920′s Chein was a leading manufacturer of lithographed tin toys, many of them wind-up or mechanical toys, with over 250 employees.
Although lithography was a 19th century technology, it wasn’t until the 1920′s that toy manufacturers began extensively utilizing it. Lithography had many advantages for toy makers, not the least being the ability to up-date toy forms with waning popularity with entirely new images. As toy companies were consoldidated and merged, lithography also enabled the new company to resurrect old toy models and dress them up in new lithographed designs, adding considerably to the efficiency of their operations.
These mass-produced toys enjoyed considerable popularity until WWII production needs diverted their manufactures. After the war, plastics and other new forms began to gain ascendency and lithographed tin toys faded from the scene. The Chein company itself discontinued toy making in 1979 and continues in business today with more profitable lines.