The model No. 47 Weeden Toy Steam Engine was produced by the Weeden Manufacturing Company of New Bedford, Massachusetts from 1898 until 1913. The toy engine consists of a horizontal brass boiler with flywheel and centrifugal flyball governor mounted on a cast iron base. The cast iron base is stamped “WEEDEN MANF. Co. No. 47”.
The Weeden Manufacturing Company was founded in New Bedford, Massachusetts by William M. Weeden in the early 1880s, originally producing a variety of tinplate household items. In 1884 it introduced the Weeden No. 1 Steam engine as “a new and great premium for boys” who were subscribers to the Youth’s Companion magazine. Weeden made over a hundred different models of toy steam engines until the company ceased operations in 1952.
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