In the first decades of the Twentieth century Issmayer, which had started to make toy trains around 1879, produced a number of so-called ‘novelty railways’, railway sets with special features that allowed the trains to perform certain functions. These were 0 gauge trains and always clockwork-driven. This coach is part...
Greppert & Kelch Einspänner – Single-Horse Carriage Tinplate Toy
Hop hop hop horse run at full gallop! This is the title of a Dutch children's song. Perfectly applicable for this delicate German toy made by Greppert & Kelch (G&K). This manufacturer was settled in the eastern part of Germany: Brandenburg. Since 1919 many delicate and beautiful toys were made...
The postman always rings twice
This could be the title for this little object. Ofcourse, at the time this tinplate toy was manufactured there was no movie with this title (1981). Although, an exact date of this toy is hard to give. It could be 1920s or even earlier. As there is no reference, sign, logo...
Elektro Keiser (Switzerland / Zug) 0 gauge electric loco #11404
Elektro Keiser (Switzerland / Zug) 0 gauge electric loco #11404 SBB CFF SOLD for Euro 1,800.-. Manufactured from 1959 onwards in very small quantities.
De Andreis Peugeot 201 Tinplate Vans – Biscuit Boxes on Wheels
Unknown known Sometimes you see toys you recognize, but you really don/t know who was the manufacturer. One of those are cars - vans made by "Giacomo de Andreis" (France - Marseille) with their appealing lithographies. The car model stems from a real original: the Peugeot 201. An important product by...
Märklin H0/00 gauge trains – all times high
Those miniature trains made by Märklin for H0/00 gauge have conquered the world. Who has not heard of those trains. In many countries around the world model trains in this size (approximately scale 1:87) were sold and wanted by boys (in most cases) and their fathers. At least all the...
BRAL Meccano-Style Metal Airplane – 1950s Vintage Construction Toy
Synonymous for metal construction sets is MECCANO. Several other manufacturers do have, however, produced some equivalents. Far less common and quite an outsider is BRAL (Italy). During the 1950s this manufacturer produced several construction sets of airplanes. The type of nuts and bolts is in fact the same as the...
Conti (Co.Mo.Ge.) Tinplate HO Gauge Freight Station – Rare 1950s Italian Diorama Accessory
After having bought a 0 gauge MÄRKLIN collection an extra bonus appeared. The middleman handed over a rather small piece, which created an instant smile on the face. An unseemingly object appeared out of the box, but a nice known. CONTI models are not very wide disseminated outside Italy. And...
Märklin Tinplate Coastal Artillery (#8049/2) – Bluegray, 1920s
Coastal artillery has played a crucial role since the early 1800s, protecting coastlines worldwide. This vintage Märklin tinplate coastal artillery piece, catalogued under #8049/2, dates from the 1920s and features a 15 cm barrel diameter. The model is finished in bluegray handpainted color, one of Märklin’s military paint schemes. Despite...
Premanufactured Wooden House by Dr. Rudolf Spitaler (RS) – Simmentaler Gasthof (#6478/1)
Mountains, green hills, farmstyle houses and cows with the sound of their bells. This is Switzerland on its best. A beautiful country to spend your holiday and to relax with the fresh air. Can you imagine to stay in such a lovely place, like modelled in scale 1:87 (for H0 gauge)?...