7" (18 cm.) 7"l. A lithographed tin sea lion in shades of grey, black and cream has painted eyes, and red collar, hinged flippers and tail, a large wheel at his under belly and two tiny wheels under the tail. When wound, he propels along as though swimming, his flippers move in a complicated manner and his tail swings. Condition: excellent, original finish well preserved, mechanism functions well, key missing. Marks: (early EPL mark and various patent notes stamped on underside of tail). Comments: Ernst Paul Lehmann, circa 1900,the toy was marketed as "The Performing Sea Lion" and was inspired by Lehmann's visit to San Francisco's Cliff House where he watched the seals sunning themselves on the rocks, according to Cieslik's book, Lehmann Toys.