Toy Fire Engine

Toy Fire Engine

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Description
Cast-iron toys, such as this fire engine from about 1900, reflect many commonplace but often forgotten aspects of everyday life. The strength of the Museum's toy collection is an outstanding grouping of cast-iron and tinplate toys, 1870s to the 1950s, donated by Sears, Roebuck and Co. The collection was acquired by Sears, Roebuck and Co. from Kenneth Idle, a private collector. Gathered between 1915 and 1960, the collection numbers more than 1,400 cast-iron and tinplate examples of both American and European origins. Cast-iron toy manufacturers represented in this collection are Hubley, Kentontoys, and Kingsbury Toys. Subjects include the circus, horse-drawn vehicles, public transportation, mail delivery, home equipment, recreation, construction equipment, the farm, fire fighting, and police vehicles.
Cast-iron toys are essentially American. Small foundries and factories were mass-producing them towards the close of the 19th century. These toys were sold in novelty stores, department stores, or mail order catalogs. One can follow along with shifts in technology by recognizing the changes in the different models of Sears toys. During the first half of the 20th century, tractors almost completely displaced the horse on American farms—and on the toy counter. Toy motor trucks replaced horse-drawn vehicles. The toy manufacturers were alert to new models and designs of vehicle and appliance manufacturers.
Object Name
Toy, Fire Engine, Steam, with Horses
Toy, Fire Engine, Steam, with Horses
Object Type
toys
Other Terms
Toy, Fire Engine, Steam, with Horses; Toys
Date made
ca 1900
Physical Description
black (horses in harness color)
black (pumper color)
white (pumper color)
yellow (horses in harness color)
yellow (pumper color)
iron, cast (horses in harness material)
ID Number
DL.295669.0749
catalog number
295669.0749
accession number
295669
Credit Line
Sears, Roebuck and Co., Collection of American Toys
subject
Toys
Fire Fighting
Horses
See more items in
Home and Community Life: Domestic Life
Family & Social Life
Cultures & Communities
Sports & Leisure
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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Comments

It was Law and his son Warren Blake Valleau that produced the reproduction. I know as I directly involved in the project. http://www.formulaformarketingsuccess.com/id19.html

Gerald Harrington

Thu, 2013-07-18 15:17

My grandfather was commissioned by Sears to replicate this fire engine and many other toys to be donated to the Smithsonian. His name was Law Valleau. What if any info do you have about that? thank-you

Bridget Valleu-Mull

Wed, 2012-11-14 12:20

Your inquiry about the Sears toys was forwarded to me in the Division of Home and Community Life. A search of the accession file for the Sears toy donation revealed no mention of Mr. Law Valleau. -BY

National Museum of American History

Tue, 2013-07-16 15:01

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