1980s Tom and Jerry arcade lunch box that never came to be.

[Eternaliquid]

1980s Tom and Jerry arcade lunch box that never came to be.

I collect "Vintage" lunch boxes. I came across something that I had to get. In the late 70's, Aladdin Industries started producing plastic lunch boxes. Rather then being embossed, they simply had printed stickers. Years back, Aladdin sold their old stock artwork from their archives, to interested collectors.

This seller said, " This sticker has lined backing that is identical to other stickers I have from Aladdin that were pre-production samples for approvals. I cannot guarantee this to be a samples only sticker. I have done research an cannot find out anything on the subject matter."

I was able to track down another collector involved in the original sale. They agreed that it is likely a pre-production sample as well. The dealer I spoke to has only seen two of these, this one and another that sold with a collection in 2008.

Either way, it was never produced for sale and children missed out on a sweet lunch box. I'm not sure I want to keep it, but I thought it should go to an arcade collector rather than a lunch box collector.

 

[joeycuda]

My father in law is in his mid 80s. He was in the military, then a school teacher/coach/principal in Nashville, then worked for Aladdin. Interesting that this piece is from there.

 

[GORK]

Thats pretty cool. Love to see this type of stuff.

I don't know why but about two weeks ago I was thinking about my childhood lunchbox. I couldn't remember the theme of it but I know it was plastic and orange. I would stick the banana stickers on the inside lid also. I asked mom if she still had my lunch box somewhere. She'll let me know if she finds it. The more I think about it my cheap Slovak mom probably bought me a plain orange lunch box.

 

[Brentradio]

Ok, so now we have Darin at PhoenixArcade make up the stickers, and someone here with access to a 3D printer make up the lunch boxes, and I'll take one!

That would be cool and a big seller...

Who doesn't love Tom and Jerry and Space Bugs!?!

I do!

Hmm, I wonder what the four buttons where used for, looks cool!