A Very Rare Toy and an Even Harder to Find Company

Saturday, June 1, 2013
           (It's already June!)

A Very Rare Toy,

and an Even Harder to Find Company

(Niederst Company)

   I found this extremely rare toy yesterday while looking through the antique toys on Liveauctioneers. This cast iron steam shovel was sold by Bertoia Auctions from the collection of Mr. Donald Kaufman on April 17, 2010. AS of that time, only 2 of these toys have been known to exist in the toy world.  I found a photo of the other one in the book titled "Cast Iron Automotive Toys" on page 231. The writers are Myra Yellin Outwater and Her husband Eric B. Outwater. The publisher is Schiffer Publishing Ltd., of Atglen, Pennsylvania (2000).

   What's even more amazing is that I can't find any information of the Niederst Company of Chicago, Illinois, USA. So, if there are any Chicagoans,Pennsylvanians, or any toy collectors anywhere in the world, out there who can help me with information on this company, I'd most happily add the information to this post. 

Please click on this sentence to be redirected to Bertoia's fine website

This toy is very big , measuring 18" ( .457M) in length. the base swivels (turns around) and it has 2 wind-up levers to wind up and lift the bucket. This toy sold for $ 13,000.00 US at the time. I would have thought that it would have received much more considering that there have only been 2 found so far.

I've given this Niederst toy its own post since it's so rare, and perhaps someone out there will one day send me information on the company. If you also happen to ever find some other Niederst toys, that would even be more amazing.

 Thanks for dropping by,

and have a great part of the day,

wherever you may be.

Stacey