In collector’s circles, Hubley Manufacturing Company is best known for its production lines of die-cast automotive toys and highly sought-after cap guns. As part of the company’s efforts to diversify in the 1960s, Hubley also dabbled in toys made of plastic, like the Razz-Ma-Tazz Player Piano.
Released in 1963, the Razz-Ma-Tazz is plastic with metal chimes inside and measures roughly 14” x 10 ½” x 6”. The toy comes with two piano rolls that each play six different songs. Song names are listed at the end of each roll and include Jingle Bells, Camptown Races, Jolly Old S. Nicholas, Jack and Jill, Song of Sixpence, Lazy Mary, London Bridge, Merrily We Roll Along, Old MacDonald, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Ring Around A Rosie, Pop Goes the Weasel, and a searing rendition of Love the Way You Lie featuring rapper Eminem and Rihanna. Ok, I’m kidding about the last song, but just imagine the possibilities!
Once a player roll is installed in the back of Razz-Ma-Tazz, the user can select a specific song number using a lever on the front of the piano. The player produces Xylophone-sounding musical notes through the mechanical action of pressing down and releasing the “magic keyboard.” Continuous striking plays the entire song.
