Monday, July 22, 2013
In Canada, we had Meccano rather than Gilbert, which was more colourful, but the parts were usually smaller in size. In terms of the A.C.Gilbert sets or kits, notice how most of the sets came in fine wood or metal container. With all of their parts, these sets were usually heavy, so sturdy containers were needed to hold the parts. As well, the inside was usually organized into specific larger and smaller divisions to keep all the parts ready for the next creation or rebuild.
All of today's photographs belonged to one collector by the name of Mr. John Drury. Mr. Drury was a well-respected and renowned television anchorman (Anchorperson) in the history of Chicago (Illinois, USA) television. He retired in 2001 after 50 years in the broadcasting business, but sadly found out that he had ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) in 2004.. He had looked forward to enjoying his marvellous collection of Erector sets, but because of this terrible debilitating disease, made the decision to have the collection auction off in 2005.
I would like to think that some new generation of children are now playing with these marvellous toys. When I had my Meccano set, I enjoyed building my own designs, which most of the time worked, and sometimes, didn't to a lack of enough parts. Of course, when I lived in a triplex in the 1950's in Outremont (a suburb on the Island of Montreal), with my 2 bothers and sister, my parents, and my grandmother Lily, we didn't have much space. Alas, after each creation, I would have to dismantle the set, and place it back in the box for another time!
A.C.Gilbert - Erector Sets
For those who don't know, an erector set is a complete kit of parts that allows a child to build things. Sometimes the set will come with parts and the child creates his own model or building, while at other times, the kit allows the child to create a car, bridge or train with a complete set. Great Britain had their Meccano owned by Hornby, while the USA had their Gilbert sets, invented by the Mr. A.C.Gilbert in 1913.
The company was located in New Haven, Connecticut (USA) and produced these fascinating toys from 1913-1960. In 1960, the company was purchased by the Gabriel Company, and in the later 1990's the company was purchase once again by Meccano (Hornby).
The 2 catalogue scans below were added later after I had originally added this post. I was searching for Structo toys when I came across page 276 of the Fall and Winter Montgomery Ward & Co. Catalogue.
The 2 catalogue scans below were added later after I had originally added this post. I was searching for Structo toys when I came across page 276 of the Fall and Winter Montgomery Ward & Co. Catalogue.
Isn't it always the case, that when you aren't looking for something, you find it,
and when you are, you can't!
In Canada, we had Meccano rather than Gilbert, which was more colourful, but the parts were usually smaller in size. In terms of the A.C.Gilbert sets or kits, notice how most of the sets came in fine wood or metal container. With all of their parts, these sets were usually heavy, so sturdy containers were needed to hold the parts. As well, the inside was usually organized into specific larger and smaller divisions to keep all the parts ready for the next creation or rebuild.
All of today's photographs belonged to one collector by the name of Mr. John Drury. Mr. Drury was a well-respected and renowned television anchorman (Anchorperson) in the history of Chicago (Illinois, USA) television. He retired in 2001 after 50 years in the broadcasting business, but sadly found out that he had ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) in 2004.. He had looked forward to enjoying his marvellous collection of Erector sets, but because of this terrible debilitating disease, made the decision to have the collection auction off in 2005.
I would like to think that some new generation of children are now playing with these marvellous toys. When I had my Meccano set, I enjoyed building my own designs, which most of the time worked, and sometimes, didn't to a lack of enough parts. Of course, when I lived in a triplex in the 1950's in Outremont (a suburb on the Island of Montreal), with my 2 bothers and sister, my parents, and my grandmother Lily, we didn't have much space. Alas, after each creation, I would have to dismantle the set, and place it back in the box for another time!
It's much cooler today in Montreal and sunny to boot.
Thanks for dropping by,
and have a great part of the day, wherever you may be.
Stacey
(toysearcher@gmail.com)
John Drury was a good friend of all A C Gilbert collectors. Thank you for remembering him with this nice display of old ERECTOR SETS.
ReplyDeleteHello Richard,
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing the comment for my article.
By the way, who was Mr. John Drury?
Have a nice day,
Stacey Bindman
(Blogwriter)