Happy SUNday! – the new kid on the block

April 2, 2023April 2, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I’ve been searching for this version (with ‘Yashica’ written in katakana ヤシカ on his hat) of Yashica’s advertising figurine for quite some time I finally came across one the other day on eBay. The original ‘mascots’ were made in Japan by Modern plastics in 1962 and were made in many versions from large dealer-sized display models all the way down to this 10 cm guy.

Before. After 60-plus years he’d become a bit grungy.

Better. After a good scrub, he’s looking a bit more presentable.

Although the figurine cleaned up nicely I haven’t been able to get the edges of the sticker on his hat to come clean. I’m reluctant to go at it for fear of dislodging the sticker or removing some of the colors.

Large 30 cm dealer display model that was found still new in the factory box. The larger models had slightly different eyelash designs.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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Comments are always welcomed as I’ve learned quite a bit from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by, and while you’re at it, feel free to visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios hosted by Etsy). – Chris Whelan

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, is this blog’s property and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris, Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris.

Happy SUNday!

May 9, 2021May 9, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Happy Sunday all! Here’s three classic Yashicas that are certainly worth the chase. The only one that I’d consider rare or hard to find is the pro-black body J-3.

The Yashica J-3 in black was never advertised as best as I’ve been able to find out after years of searching and for the most part flew under the radar in sales and marketing. Fewer than 2,000 were made (unofficial count) and few remain today in mint or near mint (working) condition. It was Yashica’s first black 35mm SLR until the TL Electro X in black came along in 1968. There were chrome versions of both cameras that sold alongside the black models. Conversely, the TL Electro X ITS (Integrated Technology System) was only available in black and featured the gold electron symbol on the pentaprism. BTW, the Yashica Sailor Boy advertising figurine pictured here is the taller 20 cm dealer model and no, he’s not naked.

Yashica’s advertising figurine, ‘Sailor Boy’ (1962).

Comments are always welcomed as I’ve learned quite a bit from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by and while you’re at it, feel free to visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios hosted by Etsy). – Chris Whelan

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris, Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris.

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Another Yashica Sailor Boy

January 11, 2021January 11, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Here’s another look at this post about Yashica’s Sailor Boy.

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

Those of you who follow this blog know that our main collecting passion lies with most everything from Yashica. The Yashica TL Electro X was my first 35mm SLR and since then my collection of all things Yashica has grown substantially.

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On the left is the original Yashica Sailor Boy (1962) – to the right is the Wee Willie Winkie version from around 1966 or so. Yashica has never officially named these guys so we’re assigning them names just to make identification easier.

Recently this version popped up for sale in Japan and although we didn’t purchase him I’d like to at least show another side of this collectible figurine.

YSB 35

All three of these versions were made in Japan by Modern Plastics during the 1960s. The football guy wearing number 35 was more than likely promoting Yashica’s line of 35mm cameras but little else is know about him. He is…

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Yashica’s ‘Sailor Boy’ with his Electro 35 camera

May 22, 2018January 6, 2022Chris and Carol Leave a comment

We’re super lucky to have run across a rather hard to find Sailor Boy – this one came to our attention from a visitor to our blog – then through eBay by way of South Africa to Florida! Welcome, little guy!

This unique version of Sailor Boy – complete with his Yashica Electro 35 camera. He was introduced in 1966 to promote the new camera release. He’s based on the Scottish nursery rhyme ‘Wee Willie Winkie’.

Cousins, not brothers. The only thing missing on our little guy is his green decal which should be on the front of his hat.

Sailor Boy convention. The new guy cleaned up nicely. A little bit of warm soapy water and a soft brush and he’s good as new!

Made in Japan is about all we know at this point. We’re not even sure about when he was made.

Cool shoes – but are they really Wee Willie Winkie’s shoes? Yep as best as I can tell. Yashica didn’t leave a paper trail for history to discover his true identity.

More about the history and variations of Yashica’s advertising figurine soon. As always, feel free to share your Sailor Boys with us – we’re looking to add to our collection with new versions of this cute guy.

Thanks

Chris and Carol