Thursday, January 3, 2012
Ferdinand Strauss
Yesterday, I wrote about the Louis Marx Toy Company. As it turned out, Louis Marx had started out working for the Ferdinand Strauss Company. However, Mr. Marx was let go after his sales and business policies were not liked by the board of directors of the company.
A Written Article by Ferdinand Strauss
(Please click on the above link to find an interesting article written by Mr. Strauss)
Ferdinand Strauss came to the US at the age of 18 years old. He was a university graduate, and as soon as he was in the U.S. began work selling winder clothing. However, he was always fascinated with mechanical things, and was quite a hands-on person. Eventually, he sold of all things, the harmonica, and did a great job popularizing and selling this instrument. He was able to get financing to develop his love of mechanical things, ad created several different types of mechanical toys. However, the company met on hard times, and by 1922, Louis Marx had purchased the company.
Many of Mr. Struauss' toys still survive , which are a good indication of their durability and collectibility. They were mostly made of sheet metal that was printed in beautiful colours by lithography. What's also interesting is that many of the toys had unique names speficic to the Strauss line of toys.
I took all of the images below from Bertoia Auctions at the Live Auctioneers site. Clicking onthe address below will get you there.
(please click above to be redirected)
The Strauss Toy Company actually manufactured 3 different variations of mule, driver, and cart. I've just presented 2 of them.
This was a mhimsical and entertaining toy for young children. When wound up, the chicks would move and peck at "food" in the painted metal bowl. I don't know if the train moved or not.
Of course, like all other companies of the time, the "usual" line of toy cars and trucks were also manufactured, to bolster the complete line of fine toys.
Notice how Mr.Strauss varied the spelling of Santa Claus to "Santee". What's also always given me a sense of nostalgia and times gone by is the address of many of the manufacturers on their toys.
The Ferdinand Strauss Corp.
New York, U.S.A.
Just New York, U.S.A.
That address reminded me of the movie with Natalie Wood, made in 1947, and also the story about the young girl who wrote to Sanata Claus in the USA. She simply address the envelope to:
Santa Claus,
The North Pole
And 1 final entertaining toy. As the porter moves, a small dog jumps up from inside the trunk.
I'm sure lots of children were entertained for long periods of time with such a funny toy.
As always, thanks for dropping by,
and have a wonderful day, wherever you may be.
Stacey
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