Happy SUNday! – the new kid on the block

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.

Copyright © 2015-2023 Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris (Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic), Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.

Happy SUNday!

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.

Copyright © 2015-2021 Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris (Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic), Chris Whelan
All rights reserved.