Ralston Toy and Novelty Company, trading as Ralstoy, was formed by Dr Felix Despecher in 1939, initially using tooling from former manufacturers Best Toy and Novelty Co and Kansas Toy and Novelty Co to produce slush toys. Dr Despecher died shorty thereafter, by which time WWII was raging, and Ralstoy was taken over by Paul Massey who switched to wooden toy production due to wartime shortages of raw materials. Following WWII, production switched to cast metal models which were assembled, painted and decorated by Ralstoy, the die casting having been sub contracted. Paul Massey's son Art took over Ralstoy in 1957, the only products issued being toy truck promotional models. Ralstoy ceased trading circa 2020.
For additional background information, with illustrations, please refer to Douglas Campbell's comprehensive Model Auto Review article.
Ralstoy WWII issue wooden Tank |
Ralstoy WWII issue wooden Tank |
Ralstoy early post war unlicensed plated Cadillac Sedan |
Ralstoy early post war unlicensed plated Cadillac Sedan |
Ralstoy Semi Trailer Set |
Ralstoy Semi Trailer Set |
Ralstoy Semi Truck and Trailer |
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