Vintage 1970s Rainbow Zippy Plush Toy Rare Metal Zipper Mouth ITV Toyland 27cm

• Type: Vintage Television Character Plush Soft Toy / Retro Children's Media Memorabilia

• Character: Zippy (From the iconic ITV show Rainbow)

• Brand: Toyland Ltd. (Officially Licensed Thames Television Production)

• Manufacturer: Toyland Toys Israel

• MPN: TOYLAND-ZIP-27

• Place of Origin: Israel

• Style: Retro 1970s British Children's TV Kitsch / Nostalgic Pop Culture Collectible

• Colour: Tan Brown / Matte Beige Shag Pile Fur with Large Blue and White Eyes and a Pastel Pink Felt Tongue

• Design Era: 1970s First-Generation Production (c. 1974–1979)

• Material: High-Pile Acrylic Faux-Fur Shag, Heavy-Gauge Cast Metal Zipper Mechanism, Felt Mouth Lining, Hard Plastic Eyes

• Set Includes: One (1) Single Vintage Zippy Plush Character Figure

• Features: Functional Heavy Metal Zipper Smile, Inner Mouth Fabric Cavity with Pop-Out Felt Tongue, Large Staring Novelty Eyes, Chunky Splayed Arms and Legs, Intact Dual-Sided Factory Paper-Cloth Tag

• Condition: Very Good Vintage Condition (This 50-year-old childhood treasure has been phenomenally preserved. The tan shag fur remains plush and free from heavy matting, major bald spots, or significant staining. Crucially, the original cast-metal zipper track is fully intact and glides smoothly to reveal the pink tongue. The plastic eyes are free from cracks or deep scoring, and both factory labels remain attached and legible)

• Size and Capacity: Measures a substantial 27cm (approx. 10.6 inches) in total length from head to toe.

• Dating: This incredibly rare, early character plush dates precisely to the mid-to-late 1970s (c. 1974–1979). The specific regulatory registry markers printed on the reverse label—showing US factory compliance codes REG. No. PA 3410 and MASS. No. T. 277—confirm its status as a first-generation export model manufactured by Toyland during the initial broadcast run of the show.

• Historical Note: For generations of British children who grew up watching Thames Television between 1972 and 1992, Rainbow was the ultimate afternoon television staple. Among its cast of colourful puppets, Zippy—the loud, talkative, and beautifully stubborn character whose mouth had to be famously zipped shut when he became too boisterous—was the breakout star.

This plush represents one of the earliest licensed representations of Zippy ever produced for the UK market. Rather than the smaller, lightweight plastic-zipper variations manufactured in Korea or the UK during the late 1980s and 1990s, this heavy 1970s model features a wide, robust metal zipper and a thick shaggy acrylic body produced by the highly regarded Toyland workshops in Israel.

Because it retains the strict vintage export numbers and its vibrant interior pink tongue, it stands as a premium, highly desirable piece of vintage broadcasting history for serious media archivists, retro toy collectors, and children of the seventies.

A delightfully nostalgic, exceptionally visual acquisition for curators of vintage toy history, retro television prop collectors, or children of the seventies looking to reclaim a piece of their youth, this original 1970s Zippy plush is an absolute joy. The piece perfectly captures the chaotic, wide-eyed personality of Rainbow's most iconic character, featuring his massive, unblinking blue eyes and signature blocky silhouette.

The definitive feature is, of course, the oversized cast-metal zipper mouth. When unzipped, it opens wide to reveal a cheerful, bright pink felt tongue nestled inside a dark interior cavity. Finished in a wonderfully retro tan-beige shag fur, this mid-century television relic brings immediate vintage charm and a brilliant talking point to any nostalgic display shelf or pop-culture collection.

• First-Generation Metal Zip: Outfitted with an authentic, heavy-gauge 1970s metal zipper carriage and pull, a hallmark of early premium character toys before industry shifts to lightweight nylon fasteners.

• Dual-Sided Label Pedigree: Features its complete factory tag assembly, showcasing the classic red Toyland bear trademark on the front face and strict international manufacturing numbers on the back.

• Pop-Out Tongue Detail: The interior felt tongue is carefully anchored near the back of the mouth lining, letting it peek out naturally when the metal slider is pulled open.

This vintage 50-year-old Zippy doll is in wonderful condition, displaying lovely preservation with honest signs of light historic play wear. The plush body is completely solid with all original seams intact and free from loose stitching, internal stuffing deflation, or structural thinning.

The heavy metal zipper mechanism is in perfect working order, running smoothly along its track without missing teeth or binding. The plastic eye lenses retain their bright blue colour overlay with only minor surface micro-scuffs from storage. Both cloth labels are fully attached with clear text. The toy is clean and entirely free from musty odours or damp tracking, representing a true collector-grade example of British TV heritage.

• Domestic Shipping: FREE UK TRACKED DELIVERY.

• International Shipping: We proudly ship worldwide via eBay International Shipping (eIS), which completely manages overseas customs clearance and provides absolute seller payout safety against international shipping damage or return liabilities.

• Packaging: This character plush will be enclosed inside a clean moisture-barrier polybag, completely double-wrapped in high-density bubble cushioning to fully protect the hard plastic eyes and metal zipper slider, and shipped inside a rigid parcel box.

• Dispatch: Order before 12.00pm and we ship same day.

We want you to be delighted with your heritage find.

• Not as Described: In the unlikely event of an error in our listing, we will provide a full refund and cover the return postage costs.

• Change of Mind: We accept returns within 30 days; however, in these instances, the buyer is responsible for the return shipping costs.