Identifying an Unknown Cast Iron Toy Truck

 Thursday, December 9, 2021                          Cloudy                                           -4 C    24.8 F  

         A Reader asks me to Identify an Unknown Cast Iron Toy Truck 

    Early this week, I received an inquiry from a reader. Jamie Green's Husband had inherited a cast iron toy from his grandmother, and Jamie wanted to know who the manufacturer was, and when the toy was made.

    The toy was in excellent condition, but what caught my attention was the fact that in the topmost photo, a flathead screw with the cut for a screwdriver was blatantly the most apparent thing that I noticed. Immediately, I eliminated all of the 1930's manufacturers such Hubley, Arcade, A.C.Williams, Dent, and Kenton as possible choices. The reason was that none of them ever used a screw to attach the 2 halves (left and right sides) of the toy together. Most would have used a flat head bolt on one side, with the other side cut and flattened to attach the 2 sides together.  Also, if you look at the second photo, you'll notice  very apparent grinding marks from a grinder.  The cast iron toy companies that I previously mentioned used very fine sand in their moldings. When the molten iron cooled after the casting, the 2 sides were carefully removed, and the casting surfaces would be very, very smooth.  Any defective or flawed castings would be broken down and melted, with the molten iron to be reused again.

    I did some searching and was lucky to come across this site: https://trivetology.com/2019/06/01/the-iron-art-company-philipsburg-nj/

If you read this excellent article, and look at the photos of  a cast iron stake truck, you will find an image of a truck similar to that of what Jamie Green sent me. I sent a letter to the writer of the trivetology.com, and I hope to hear from him/her in the near future, so that I might have permission to use some of the photos there.

Jamie's husband's toy is most likely from  The Iron Art Company of Philipsburg (New Jersey, U.S.A.) and was manufactured in the early 1950's.

So that's it for today. I can't believe how fast 2021 has passed by, and in just a few weeks Christmas will be upon us. As for Covid, I hope all of my readers are taking care and caution, and have received their Covid inoculations. I'll be getting my Pfizer booster on January 12, 2022. Wow, how the time flies by.

Thanks for dropping by, and feel free to write to me anytime at:

(Mr.) Stacey Bindman

toysearcher@gmail.com

As always, have a great part of the day or night, wherever you may be,

Stacey

                                                                

 Tuesday, November 23, 2021                 Sunny with some snow        -7 C.   24.9 F                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

           Ladenburger Spielzeugauktion GmbH  

                               

    I periodically receive e-mails from Rebekah Kaufman, a Steiff historian, Blogger, and Dealer. I had once asked Rebekah for some information about a Steiff doll, and from then on I was on her mailing list. Her blog can be found at mysteiffLife.com.  In one of her last-mails, Rebekah wrote about Landenburger Spielzeugauktion GmbH, a fairly recent (1989) new auction house. Her e-mail related to an auction, naturally about Steiff dolls, and I decided to check the auction out. 

The Ladenburger web address can be found at https://www.spielzeugauktion.de/ as well as on LiveAuctioneers.com

In the "relatively" short time that the company has been in business, it has done very well, and established itself as a quality auction house.

Steiff Bowling Game

Height 15 cm (5 3/4")

Final Price 2400 Euros

Steiff Bear on casting wheels with spokes. Circa 1905, with shoe button eyes,

height 40 cm (15 3/4") length, 45 cm (17 3/8")

Final Price 2000 Euros

            

                       Steiff Bear on wooden wheels, button eyes, wooden wheels with Steiff engraving.                                Length 26 cm. (10 1/4").   Final Price: 6000 Euros

 You can also find the results of this auction at:

 https://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/222828_steiff-special-auction/

Thanks for dropping by, 

and have a great day.

Please feel free to write to me anytime at

toysearcher@gmail.com

Chip Channel Restorations

Thursday, November 26, 2021 

Overcast with drizzle 

3C 36 F

Chip Channel Restoration

      Several weeks ago, I was doing a search for toys, when I saw a search result for Chip Channel Restoration. I had no idea what this search result was, but when I clicked on the link, I was awestruck. The link that had taken me to YouTube, whereupon, I had discovered someone who had a site, where he restored toys back to their original condition.But not just any condition, but to a condition that looked like the toy had just come off the assembly line!

        

Each new video on YouTube begins with a tow truck pulling the toy that will be restored on the episode. If you copy and paste the address below into your internet address rectangle you will be redirected to Chip'sYoutube website. "Chip" prefer's to remain anonymous, hence he asked me to use his pseudonym "Chip". 

Below is the web address (URL) for Chip Channel Restoration.

You'll have to copy and paste the address in order to 

redirect to Chip's YouTube website.

       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR9GdLIOAGY

        

In the case of this video restoration, the old toy is a:

1954 Tonka Mobile Fire Department 

MFD Ladder Truck

As you clearly see, the fire truck is in a bad shape, 

and is in need of a big restoration.

When starting out, all parts of the fire truck are disassembled very carefully.

 Parts are also checked for lead, and I 

think these parts are replaced with non-leaded new parts.

Even small parts are replaced if they are in poor condition.

If a part is very rusted, a file will be used to 

grind off the damaged part.

Then a # 600 fine sandpaper on a

rotary sander is used to smooth out any rough parts. 

Towards the end, a fine buffing is used to shine metallic and plated parts.

Parts are all sandblasted to remove old paint and rust.

A primer or undercoating is now applied to all

parts before the new paint is applied.

The final stage involves painting, and

a powdered form of paint is used. 

I think an electrostatic process is used to apply paint

to the toy parts. I say this because the paint below is in the form of a powder.

Below is the truck in the state that it was purchased.

Below are different photographs to show  the quality restoration that

was done to bring back theses toys to superb shape.

Even decals are researched for the original truck, 

and are then custom-made tofinish the restoration. 

Material for a back textured metallic plate was

found in order to replace what was originally there

and in poor condition.

 

Finished parts are assembled towards the 

final stages of the restoration.

hen the re-plated metal parts are all finished to a beautiful shine,

they are then re-attached to the assorted different painted parts

of the fire truck.

Finally, the truck is now finished,

It most certainly looks just like it would have been 67 years ago!!!!

Chip certainly is a master craftsman! 

I don't know where Chips finds the time to do his restorations. 

He told me that he works 50 hours in his job profession.

He most certainly dedicated and very much likes what

he does in his spare time to toys from a past time!

I've just "touched on" what Chip does!

His YouTube videos are about and hour and more,

and he very thoroughly shows the viewer

how toys are properly and excellently restored to

what they would have looked like when they were

originally purchased.

Now that's true dedication and a labour of love!

Thanks for dropping by, and as usual, 

I can be reached at

toysearcher@gmail.com

Have a great part of the day or night,

wherever you may be.

        

        

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

      

                          

A Fantastic Morphy Auctions Auction of Toys

Friday, October 29, 2021

Sunny with clear skies

12 C  54 F                                                                                                                                  

A Fantastic Morphy Auctions Auction of Toys 

I was pleasantly surprised to find an e-mail in my mailbox this morning. It was from Morphy Auctions, a very successful auctioneers, who several years ago, got into auctioning toys. He purchased a highly-successful toy auctioneer in New England, and as they say, "the rest is history". The company is very-well respected, and one of their highlighted group of articles being auctioned are of arms (guns & rifles). If you have a chance, have a look at both their toy auction, and when an arms auction comes up, have a look at their merchandise. Many of the arms that go to auction are fine old pistols from the American West that date back to the late 1800's to the early 20th century.

I've only "touched the surface" of this unbelievable auction. There are 372 pages  

of toys for this auction, and it's the largest auction that I have ever seen so far for toys.

Please have a look and see what is being offered. If you're not interested in bidding, then the visit is worth it, just to see the value of these toys from the USA and Europe, and  to learn about toys.

The link is below:

https://issuu.com/morphyauctions/docs/flipdoc_dec_toys?fr=sN2ZiODQ2NjA1NQ

As always, thanks for dropping by,

and if you ever want to communicate with me, 

my e-mail address is:

toysearcher@gmail.com

(Mr.) Stacey Bindman

Hobby db - An Exceptional Toy Database

 Wednesday, October 27, 2021                                                                                                         Sunny & Clear Skies                                                                                                                       12 C  54 F

Please click on this sentence to redirect to this great resource

  Several years ago,  Sept. 5, 2016, to be exact, while I was building up my blog, I received a letter from Mr. Christian Braun. Usually, I would search the web for interesting website, collectors, and toy manufacturers In this case, the reverse happened. He wrote to ask me if I might write a blog post about his recent company hobbyDB. Of course I agreed right away, and wrote back.

  As it turned out, Christian's company and website was exactly what I needed to help me learn about toys, and to find them as well. From that position, not only would I be able to write about different people and companies, but I would be able to have a very good resource and knowledge base to provide information to my readership.

  His website is available to readers, who can sign up and be able to use this marvelous resource without any fees. There are now 2,000 volunteers that add the information and photos to hobbyDB.  And further, Christian and his team made it possible for these volunteers and others that like toys to own part of the site (they use a crowdfunding platform called Wefunder to manage the sale of shares to their users, more here https://wefunder.com/hobbyDB).  hobbyDB is thus now owned by 1,100 of its users. hobbyDB, to quote Christian, is  "Built by collectors for collectors and owned by collectors  -  hobbyDB is the world's fasting growing collectibles database." 

  Below is a screen-capture of a member of hobbyDB, whom I selected to illustrate how the website functions. The detail is blurry, because the screen-capture is a low-resolution that I can't capture with any larger resolution. The immediate screen-capture below illustrates a search that I did for a member who goes by the name "Stroget". Actually, his name is Karl.

  The screen-capture presents to the viewer the listings that Karl Schnelle has added to the database of toys

Copyright © 2021 hobbyDB

Please do not copy without their written permission

  The screen-capture below provides the reader with all kinds of information about  toys that members of hobbyDB have added to the data-base. Not only is the information very informative, but notice the choice of different searches that a reader can select in order to either find information about a toy, or to learn about a toy.

Copyright © 2021 hobbyDB

Please do not copy without their written permission

The image below illustrates some of the information that Karl has added for the

toy that was added to the database.

Copyright © 2021 Hobbydb & Karl Schnelle

Please do not copy without their written permission

Once again, the image below shows you just how many items Karl

has added to the database. 3,155 entries most certainly is a huge

number of entires that certainly took Karl a long time to add!

Copyright © 2021 HobbyDB & Karl

Please do not copy without their written permission

 Friday, October 22, 2021                                                                                                                             Sunny with Clouds                                                                                                                                         9 C  48F

A Reader Helps Me Out with Regard to a 

Post on the Chicago World's Fair

 

I received a letter form Mr. David Holcombe in response to a previous post. That post was written on September 9, 2021, and a Mr. Steve Insler was asking about the authentication of a label on a cast iron Arcade car.

"Dear Stacey Bindman,

     I have been a fairly regular reader (perhaps a contribution or suggestion a time or two?) over the years of your old toys site.  I appreciate your research and good writing.  On Sept. 9 you pictured a cast iron Chrysler and asked for information.  So here's a little:

I have had for several years a slush metal 1934 Studebaker with a connection to that World's Fair.  I am attaching a few pictures of my Studebaker, a 6 inch Land Cruiser Super Sport model, with a period explanatory post card behind it.  The Studebaker at the fair was a giant atop a small auditorium.  Mine is one of the models sold at the fair.  It is lettered on the back as "REPLICA OF WORLD'S FAIR STUDEBAKER."   This is an unrestored toy car, complete with white rubber tires on red wooden wheels.  It has obviously been enjoyed over the years.  It is marked "National Products Chicago" on the underside left.

    It seems likely that car companies offered such model cars to fair customers.  I know that Studebaker did so.   Hope this helps.  And, again, thank you for your fine web site.

             Sincerely,

               David Holcombe"

Well, David & Irma's letter helped to shed more light on the 1934 Chicago World's Fair. 

Now we still need someone to help with the authentication of the label.

So that's it for today.

Changing topics, I hope that everyone has received their 2 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, and that you are all well. Currently, there's talk  about a booster vaccine to supplement the previous 2 injections. Personally, I've received the first 2, and will get the "booster", when it comes out. There most certainly has been diviciveness (disagreement) on whether or not people believe and want the injections, and I respect their positions. However, for myself, I believe that this medicine will definitively help people to acquire immunity from this most dreadful virus.

As always, take care and keep well,

and have a great time wherever you may be.

Stacey Bindman