Happy SUNday!

May 27, 2018May 27, 2018Chris and Carol Leave a comment

A couple of the advertising boys from Yashica

Could this be the camera that our Sailor Boy is holding? Yashica’s Auto Focus Motor 35 from 1981.

Since Yashica has never officially named their advertising doll, I’ve always referred to him as ‘Sailor Boy’ for obvious (to me) reasons. Sailor hat and blue sailor pants. The other boy – well that’s still up for discussion. I originally thought of him as being a party boy and then a Christmas elf and now back to party guy and now… Yashica’s take on the nursery rhyme, “Wee Willie Winkie”. Floppy hat with the little ball or tassels on the end, and pointy slippers. It appears that Yashica used him to “announce” the arrival of their new camera. A stretch but thanks to my friend Paul, a good stretch.

The camera that the boy is holding resembles the Yashica Auto Focus Motor which was released in the early 1980s. The brochure shows the camera on a table with party hats, presents and a cake with candles – a birthday cake?

Party hat? Christmas hat? Sleeping cap? It is missing a green decal on the front of the hat that says Yashica in katakana. The green decal and the white hat with red stars made me think that these were Christmas colors.

The Sailor Boy (far right) with his proper green decal on his cap. Pointy (elf?) shoes and what appears to be a Christmas ball hanging from the cap… or maybe not.

A true Christmas Sailor Boy – he’s a candle and so is his tree.

Could this be Yashica’s inspiration??? Hmmmm

Thanks for stopping by Y’all! Have a great day!

Chris and Carol

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

Peek – ing

November 1, 2017November 2, 2017Chris and Carol 2 Comments

Yashica Sailor Boy Peeking

In response to the Weekly Photo Challenge – Peek

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/photo-challenges/peek/

Thanks for your visit!

Chris

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