June 24-26 2016 Premier Toys, Dolls, Marbles & Figural Cast Iron
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/25/2016
An exceptional all original clockwork “Golden Gate” side-wheeler manufactured by an unknown company. The company, Harwood & White, were located in Wallingford, CT just 25 miles south of the George Brown, 25 miles northwest of Hull and Stafford & 30 miles northeast of the Ives/Blakeslee. It seems that the Connecticut area was a virtual early tin toy manufacturing capital! An unusual form different from most side-wheelers, the paddle covers are actually part of the deck super structure, the duel smokestacks are actually wood with tin caps & the cast iron walking beam is also larger than most other examples. No details were left unattended…a plethora of stenciling all about the boat, the typical American flag at the stern, the pivoting wheel on the underside for directional steering just to mention a few details. A green paper label is attached to the wooden underside of the boat indicating the manufacturers name and that: All Orders Promptly Executed. As Jim Yeager pointed out to me during a recent phone call this company is probably the manufacturer of the “Harwood Horse”. Evidently Harwood was a designer and most likely many toys that his company produced were probably attributed to other toy manufacturers. Perhaps this is the only known surviving example of a boat from this company? Featured in Antique Toy World Article. December 2008 - Page 60
Item Dimensions: 13" L.