Pair of live steam toy locomotives by Ernst Plank (Germany), circa 1880s. These early tinplate models showcase the beginnings of live steam engineering in toy manufacturing. Notably, the “Vulkan” example features wheels without flanges, indicating it wasn’t designed for tracks – a rare and intriguing design choice for floor operation....
EPL (Ernst Paul Lehmann) – “Tap Tap” the Porter
Produced by Lehmann (GERMANY), known for their inventive tin toys powered by clockwork mechanisms. This piece, numbered 560, features the iconic "Tap Tap" porter pulling a cart. The name refers to the tapping sound of the boots as he walks. Patent markings include “D.R. Patente”, “Engl. Patent”, and “PATD U.S.A....