A charming original ALPS Shoji mechanical toy, Cubby the Reading Bear, complete with his illustrated reading book and original colourful box.

Cubby has a plush-covered body with yellow felt overalls, lithographed tinplate shoes and a small ring-bound illustrated “Baby Book” held in front of him. When wound, the clockwork mechanism operates the bear and turns the pages of the book, as shown in the video that will be uploaded to the listing.

The original box is a particularly attractive survivor, with period artwork showing Cubby reading outdoors and the ALPS Made in Japan trademark clearly printed to the front.

Good overall vintage condition with age-related wear. The plush covering shows some surface soiling, fading and small areas of fur loss, particularly around the arms as shown.

The yellow felt overalls have visible marks, staining and general wear, while the tinplate shoes show scratches and rubbing. The original illustrated book is present with some age-related wear.

The clockwork mechanism is working and Cubby turns the pages as shown in the operating video. The original box is present with creasing, edge and corner wear, small tears, rubbing and general storage marks.

Please examine all photographs and the operating video carefully, as these form an important part of the description and provide the best indication of condition and function.