Lot #13: RARE "General Delivery" by General Metal Toys of Toronto Tin Litho Toy Truck 1950's

RARE "General Delivery" by General Toys of Toronto Tin Litho Toy Truck from the 1950's. It's in fantastic condition overall with nicely preserved lithography and colours. These almost never turn up for sale as most likely rusted out or were thrown out over the years. History: Produced by General Metal Toys Ltd. (frequently marked as "General Toys" or "General Toys Toronto"), this vintage tin-litho "General Delivery" truck dates from the post-WWII era—a period when Canadian toy manufacturing briefly flourished. Operating out of Toronto, General Metal Toys competed alongside domestic makers like Lincoln Toys and Cheerio Toys by offering bright, vibrant lithographed tinplate vehicles and novelties. This toy truck features classic mid-century streamlined cab styling with bold period graphics, complete with the prominent red "G" globe logo on the box sides and "Made in Canada" clearly stamped across the driver-side door. Compared to heavy-pressed Canadian steel trucks or ubiquitous American brands like Marx and Wyandotte, survival rates for General Metal Toys tinplate items are notably low. Because tinplate was easily dented, scratched, or rusted during play, finding an example with fully intact lithography and original wheel assemblies is a challenge for collectors. Examples featuring intact roof tabs, sharp colors on the cab's yellow/green gradient, and clean "General Delivery" text are scarce and next to impossible to find. Pickup category timeslot {A}