Another Fine Restoration from Mr. Christopher Ferrone

 7 C   44.6 F                                                                                                                                     Overcast with rain                                                                                                                           November 13, 2021

       Another Exceptional Restoration 

        from Christopher Ferrone

I don't know where the time is going, but it's already November 13, 2021. I've received my 2 Covid-19 injections, and in a couple of weeks, I'll be getting a booster early on, because I'm in my early 70's.

Changing the subject to a more positive topic, I received a nice letter and photos from a friend from the USA. Mr. Christopher Ferrone wrote to me this week and presented me with another grouping of a recently finished toy restoration. Today's presentation is a superb example of a 1930's pressed steel aerial fire truck that was made for young children to ride on. The manufacturer was Keystone, and their firetruck was modeled after the "real" truck from Packard. Chris's marvelous restoration is 30" ( 76.20 cm) long. 

I normally don't get personal, but I thought I would add something personal. Chris had a very fine dog by the name of Lola, who just passed away recently. It's hard when you lose a "friend", and animals (pets) become part of the family. I couldn't believe that Chris could find the time to send me photos of his latest project, and I appreciate his effort during this very hard time.  

  My wife Heidi and I had Buddy for 17 years and he passed away 2 1/2 years ago. It was also very hard when he left us. We said we'd never get another dog, but we did! My wife teaches interior design and commercial window display, and happens to have a friend who is a breeder of Brussels Griffins. We've visited her and her dogs a few times, but never even thought about getting another one. However, 4 months ago, Heidi said should we get another dog, and we both said yes. Percy is a Brussels Griffon from originally Belgium. This breed were bred for catching rats in barns, but now they are pets. Percy has what to me is an "interesting" fave. But once you get to know him, his face became "cute".  He's a puppy, and we've certainly learned a lot in terms of taking care  of him, to sat the least.

Lola

Buddy

Percy

It's hard to believe that it's November 13 already, and quite soon, the American Thanksgiving holiday will be celebrated. This is one of the major festive holidays where families and friends return to their home towns to celebrate. 

So if I don't write another blog post soon,

I'd like to wish all Americans a very happy Thanksgiving holiday.

And to Chris, my friend, I hope that you will recover from your loss of Lola in due time.

Thanks for dropping by,

and please feel free to write to me anytime, 

as I'm looking for people and their toys to be able to continue my post. 

My e-mail address is toysearcher@gmail.com

      

                          

Another Old Toy to Identify

Sunday, August 2, 2020

Overcast with Thunderstorms and Rain,

26 C 79 F

Update:  December 24, 2020

Hi Stacey,

It’s Bruce ______, a reader of your blog.   I found the car that you posted on August 2nd,  2020. 

It is made by American National, from Toledo Ohio.  The car is a Packard, made between the 20s-30’s.  An old value book I have lists it’s value at $1,000 or a bit more. 

Great news!
Have a nice holiday.   

Bruce

Hello Everyone,

It's been a while since I added a new post. It's mostly due to lack of readership. It's hard to write when there are few people writing to me for answers to their toy ID, or trying to find new material to publish. My apologies to all of you who have followed me over the years.

About a month ago, I received an inquiry from Mr. Robert K. Klimt, Jr.  He has a nice toy, and wanted me to ID it. I couldn't, hence my writing this post to see if someone of my readers can help Robert and myself out.

This toy measures 26" x 13" x 14.5 " (Length x Width x Height). 

In metric, that is 660 mm x 330 mm x 368 mm.

In his own words:

"I have attached some photos of a toy car that belonged to my father.  He was born in 1921 and got this when he was three years old (for Christmas).  He would sit on the roof, push it around with his feet, and reach into the car to steer it with the steering wheel.

I was curious if you have seen anything like this before and if you think it has any value.  Just wanted to get your opinion and feedback if you don't mind the trouble.

Thanks for any assistance you can provide.

Robert K. Klimt,Jr."

The car appears to be made of pressed steel, and perhaps has rubber tires.

If anyone out there can help out in identifying this nice toy, please do not hesitate to write.

I can always be reached at:

Toysearcher@gmail.com

Changing subjects, I have to mention the terrible Covid-19 pandemic that is currently  a most dangerous and lethal disease. Up here in Canada, our municipal, provincial, and federal governments are working very hard  to try and prevent people from getting the disease or worse still - dying! There are people out there who believe they are immune from the disease or believe the disease is a hoax. Believe me, it is not!!!!!

Personally, My opinion is that this disease is going to get worse as the approaching fall (autumn) season approaches. However, the good news is that pharmaceutical companies around the world are working on vaccines. We can only hope that there will be a vaccine soon to help control the virus, and provide everyone with immunity to the disease.

Please take care of yourself and your loved ones and friends!

I can always be reached at:

toysearcher@gmail.com

As always,

Have a great part of the day or night,

wherever you may be,

Stacey Bindman

ebay Seller Suntrux

Sunday, December  11, 2016
Cloudu with sunny periods.
-9 C 16 Fahrenheit

ebay Seller Suntrux

Please click here to visit this ebay seller

Chein Hercules Fuel Tanker Truck

Circa: 1920's or later

Rear doors are replacements

I've never seen this Chein oil tanker before, especially with the rear doors that open up.

Buddy 'L' Pressed Steel Wrigley's

 Truck and Semi No. 953

Railway Express Agency Truck

Circa: 1940's

Wrigley and Chicklets were 2 of the biggest gum manufacturers in North America when I was growing up. Chicklets came in rectangular form like many of today's gums, while Wrigley's gum came in aluminum foiled strips.

So these 2 items are ones that I was able to add to this post. 

It's also first time that I see this Buddy 'L' Wrigley's Railway Express Truck.

I've seem a few other toys with the Wrigley name as well.

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

A Beautiful Keystone Toy Bus

Saturday, March 29,2014
           (Cloudy and warmer)

A Beautiful Keystone Bus

   I posted about Mr. Red McHoe yesterday from VMCH on ebay and  Red's Toy Parts on his own net website. He had some very nice case iron toys for sale. He also had today's item - a beautiful toy bus that children could tide on. I was going to add this item to the cast irons, but it's  pressed steel, and I decided to post it separately. 

   The most interesting fact about the Keystone company was that it was also in the photography business.  I still remember the name from the New York Times, when they'd advertise in the Sunday newspaper. But they also manufacturers toys!

Please click here to visit Red McHoe's fine ebay site

Please click here to visit Red's Toy Parts store

This Keystone bus is described by Red as the "Holy Grail" of Keystone toys. It's a very large riding toy, with a top that opens up to show a nice bus seat  and crossbars for support of a child while riding the toy. The toy was modelled after a Packard bus of the times, and measures a substantial 31" in length ( 787 mm). Because of its' rarity and large size, these toys are priced high in terms of old toys for sale.

What's interesting to note is that the wooden horizontal steering handle connects inside the top to a smaller sttering wheel that allows the toy to partly turn. You can see the limits of the turning radius in the underside photo below. 

What's always interesting for me is the fact that toys like this have lasted so long and still are in one piece with all of their original components  It's "harder" to find anything today that lasts for long!

That's for dropping by,

and have a great part of the day or night

wherever you may be,

Stacey.

toysearcher@gmail.com

A Very Old and a Very New Toy

Friday, February 14, 2014
     (Lots of Snow falling and mild)

A Very Old and a

Very New Toy

   Happy Saint Valentine's day to all.  If my wife were to give me a toy as a present today, I'd want one of today's toys - either old or new! I've written about today's toy manufacturer and even the modern reproduction of today's toy, but never the two together. So for today, I decided to have old and new together. The original, circa 1920's was manufactured by the buddy "L" company, while I can;t remember who makes the modern day version.  However, booth are fantastic toys that were made, and I'd be very, very happy to play with one!

Please click here to redirect to Bertoia Auctions exceptional website

This is a huge toy, weighing 28 pounds (12.73 kg) and with a height of 20" ( 508 mm).

What's more amazing is that it will actually dig trenches. This particular one is  90+ years old, and one of the best examples of its kind. At auction it went for a very handsome amount for its seller.

This is the reproduction modern-era version, which is 1" 2.54 mm) lower in height.

At auction, it went for 8x less than the original 1920's toy.

I want one for my next Valentines' Day!

Thanks for dropping by,

and have a great part of the day or night,

wherever you may be.

Stacey

Write to me anyone at 

toysearcher@gmail.com

A Near-Mint 1950's Doepke Jaguar Car

Sunday, January 26, 2013
           ( Sunny and Very Cold)

A Near-Mint 1950's Doepke Jaguar Car

     My maximum budget when I was buying on ebay was about $ 250.00. For that amount, I was able to purchase some of the Doepke toys. If you look for the Doepke name on the right side of this page, you will find some of the Doepke toys that I wrote about in my earlier posts. As 2 examples, I had purchased a Doepke Barber-Greene bucket loader and  a Jaeger cement mixer. These toys were heavy, well-made, and made to play with in the bard yard. They are also quite heavy. Of course, I never purchased one of these in the condition of today's Jaguar. It's in near-mint condition!

   I saw this particular toy a few days ago, and wrote to the ebay seller. Mr. Tom Harkness wrote back to give me the permission to write about this toy. I'll write an introductory post later this week about Tom and his fine store, but for today, the Jaguar  gets "prime space".

Tom Harkness

Please click here to visit Mr. Tom Harkness' fine ebay store

This car was being sold as a finished and assembled item. However, it originally came as a kit that would be assembled. Not only would a child  be able to put together the toy, but he or she could play with it later.

Talk about having fun!

Thanks for dropping by to visit,

and as always, have a great part of the day or night,

wherever you may be.

Stacey

toysearcher@gmail.com

Those Unmistakeable 1940's Wyandotte Trucks

Friday, October 25, 2013

Those Unmistakeable 1940's Wyandotte Trucks

   I've had the pleasure of seeing up close the Wyandotte toys, and one or two trucks form the 1940's. There is no mistaking that they are  Wyandotte trucks from then. First of all, Wyandotte used pressed steel for many of their toys t that time. Also, after they pre-cut the size of the steel for pressing, they would add a few cuts to the steel sheet. I assume that these allowed for the metal to form nicely under the heavy presses, but not to tear apart or get stressed. This is one of the few American brands of toy where I've noticed this. The second characteristic is the design of the trucks themselves. Their cabs are roundish and comic-like (in a positive way).  There's no mistaking these toys for any other brand. Also, the Wyandotte trucks are not the rarest, and so you don't often see very lengthy descriptions of the toys or their dates.

Please click here to visit the fine Website of the Lloyd Ralston Gallery

I included the image above as a reference to the size of the wagons below.

Also,you can in fact notice the "roundness" of the small and larger cars. The truck is a much earlier Wyandotte, and like the earlier times (1920's-1930's), you would have some trouble differentiating between one manufacturer and the other.

Those fenders appear very exaggerated and disproportionate to the cab body. Notice the similarity to the larger convertible car in the  first image.

I didn't have time to check on the wheel or tires in the above two images.  As I mentioned before, there is usually not much description for those usually lowered-priced toys. However, having been made in the 1940's during WWII, when metal was rationed, I have come across some models that in fact did come with wooden tires (wheels).

Thanks for dropping by,

and have a great part of the day or night,

wherever you may be.

Stacey

toysearcher@gmail.com