A Most Interesting Discovery From an Excellent ebay Seller

Wednesday, May 16, 2024

12 ° C /   53.4° F

Overcast (Cloudy)

A Most Interesting Discovery

From an Excellent ebay Seller

I'm always searching the Internet for new companies, people or websites.

And so it was, just a few days ago, when I was on ebay, when I titled a search for "Cast Iron Airplanes".  A list of different sellers was presented, but what caught 

my eye was not the toy, but the excellent photography!

The photography was super! Excellent lighting, well-composed with the key item being the centre of attention, and a beautiful table. If you took the colour out, you'd imagine that you were looking at a photo from the 1940's.

It was just so wonderful!

     I sent an internal e-mail  to the seller on ebay, and got a reply in a short time,

with permission to write about Mr. Ted Quillin and his ebay store trq67. Not only did I obtain his permission, but he provided me with interesting information about the company that had made the cast iron airplane! 

                                                                   What Service!

    Ted's willingness to go that extra distance to provide me with information on this toy was  no accident. ebay has given him a high rating for excellent service as a seller. You can see the 2 screen-captures about the North& Judd Company at the bottom of this post.

Please click on this sentence to redirect to Mr. Ted Quillin's ebay store

Description

"A rare North & Judd cast iron Lindy airplane. Sales  were slow during the depression years and they made toys for 1 year to increase sales. 

The  plane is 6 3/8" long and a 4 3/4" wingspan"

(Depression years: 1929-1941) 

    What I liked about Ted's photography is the quality of the photos.

 The cast-iron toy was placed on a nicely-grained tabletop, with an interesting table lamp base.I especially like the lighting. The toy is well-lit, and the shadow adds a nice 3-D (depth) to the photo.

I didn't have to research this fine toy, as Ted sent me 2 references of the

North & Judd Company.

    So that's it for today.

Thanks for dropping by,

and as always,

have a great part of the day or night,

wherever you may be.

My name is (Mr.) Stacey Bindman

and I can always be reached at:

toysearcher@gamil.com

A Trio of Heavyweights from opamerica

Monday, November 6, 2016
Clear skies with Sun 
9 Celsius / 48 Fahrenheit

A Trio of Heavyweights from

opamerica

Please click here to visit this exceptional ebay seller

I haven't written about OpAmerica in a while, when I saw a nice image from them on PicClick.

So I decided to venture over to OpAmerica's ebay store and see what was being offered.  Immediately, I saw a very rare  Lockheed Sirius (below), and decided to check for more airplanes. 

I had a "hunch" (feeling) that if I searched by price from high to low, I'd find some interesting items. Sure enough, there were 3 exceptional and rarer airplanes for sale.  And that's how today's post arose.

OpAmerica is an exceptional and highly-successful ebay store. They have an excellent seller reputation, always have  a very fine selection of toys for sale, and of course (my favourite) take excellent-quality photos in conjunction with well-sized files.

I've decided to let the super photos and well-written descriptions speak for themselves as far as today's post goes. 

Hubley Lockheed Sirius Cast Iron Plane Lindy NR-211 

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I am pleased to offer this Antique Hubley Lockheed Sirius Cast Iron Plane.  Following the famous flights of Charles Lindbergh and his wife, Hubley manufactured one of their rarest and most valuable toys in commemoration: the Lockheed Sirius.  Designed by Chief engineer Gerard Vultree, the Lockheed 8 Sirius was based off of Charles's specifications.  Around 3 feet shorter than the Spirit of St. Louis (the plane Lindberg used for his NY-Paris flight),  the Sirius could travel at 185 mph, 52 mph faster than the St. Louis.  

This particular piece features a two-tone black/orange paint job, with "Lindy" embossed on the left wing; "NR-211" embossed on the right wing, as well as "NR-211 Lockheed Sirius" embossed on both sides of the tail.  The front engine is nickel plated with a small attachment for a pull rope, which is not present.  All Parts, wing sections, tires, and pilots are present, making this plane complete minus the original pull rope.

This rare plane is in good condition for its age, showing moderate paint wear and mild oxidation from age/display.  Paint is at about 80%, with the majority of loss being on the wings edges and the underside.  Original tires are present, but they have hardened and are cracked (see pictures).  Propeller moves well.  Remnants of a Hubley decal can be seen on the tail wing.

Measures about 9" L x 10-1/2" W x 4-1/4" H

(228 mm x 268 mm x 106 mm)

Rare 17" WS Hubley Cast Iron Tri-Motor America Plane 

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I am pleased to offer this Antique Hubley Cast Iron Tri-Motor America Plane.  This version of the America was the largest Cast Iron Plane made by Hubley, and features three prop motors that rotate via a spring drive when the toy is pushed across a surface.  There are two visible pilots in the open cockpit, and right behind them across the large single wing panel are raised lettering of "AMERICA" and two circled stars.  There is also a raised star on each side of the tail wing.

This plane is constructed with a cast iron body and cast aluminum motors/propellers.  The two large front wheels are rubber, and look to be reproductions of original Hubley Tires.  There rear small tire has no rubber but still rolls well.  Plane looks to be all original (with exception to the tires).

This antique Hubley America is in good aged condition, showing some moderate shelf wear from display/age.  Moderate paint wear throughout, with some mild oxidation present throughout the areas of paint wear.  Spring drive works rotating the motors as you push the plane, although the props do stick occasionally.  

Measures about 17" Wingspan, about 13" L, and 5-3/4" H 

( 432 mm x 330 mm x 147 mm)

Antique Arcade The Monocoupe Cast Iron Airplane #357

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I am pleased to offer this Antique "The Monocoupe" Cast Iron Airplane #357 made by Arcade.  This great example of early 20ths century cast iron aircraft was made by the famous Arcade Toy Company.  With a black cast body, orange steel wing, and iron wheels/propeller gear; this beauty will stand out in your collection.  "The Monocoupe" is found in raised lettering on each side of the plane.  On the top of the plane you can see the remnants of an Arcade Toy sticker.  The inside of the plane is marked "Arcade 357".

This Monocoupe # 357 is in good antique condition, showing some moderate scratching and paint wear from play and display.  Mild oxidation is present on the iron section of the plane (prop, wheels, etc).  Front wheels spin smoothly when the plane is moved, rear wheel spins with slight resistance on smooth surfaces.  Wing is a little loose

Measures about 9-1/2" L x 10-3/4" Wingspan, x 3-1/2" H

Sometimes you don't have to write much to say a lot, 

and OpAmerica certainly has done that for me today!

Thanks for dropping by,

and as always,

Have a great part of the day or night,

Wherever you may be.

Stacey Bindman

toysearcher@gmail.com