Cast-Iron Schucho Toys & Schuco Teddy Bears
Heinrich Muller, founder and guiding personality behind Schuco toys, was very much a child of this age.
Born in 1887 and educated to be a businessman, he nonetheless gravitated toward the burgeoning field of technology. Early on he proved himself to be resourceful, imaginative and practical.
By the late 1920s Schuco Teddy Bears were recognized throughout the industry as both well designed and well built.
Click to see & buy these limited edition collectible Schuco Teddy Bears
Furthermore, to the satisfaction of parents, Schuco toys promised years of contented play. It was Mullers clever mechanical designs, together with his rigorous attention to the details of graphics, that made Schuco toys enduring favorites.
One writer has described Schuco toys as always assuring an Aha effect. When the first cars were introduced in the mid 1930s they were both technically revolutionary as well as artfully detailed.
Competing toys of the time, while also well made, had none of the style of the Mullers models.
A Schuco car had a tailpipe, a functioning steering wheel, a reverse gear or a remote control devise. They were the wonders of their age and, as examples of design and detailing, remain ageless.
By 1939 Schuco had revolutionized the toy industry. Schuco was allowed to continue operation during World War ll in order to generate foreign currency from sales to neutral countries.
Following the war, the company was also able to obtain license to operate from the occupation forces, albeit toy production was combined with the manufacture of more practical and much-needed items. In 1949 Schuco returned to toy manufacture full time.
In many ways the 1950s were the golden age for Muller and Schuco. He expanded facilities, reintroduced pre-war favorites and rededicated the company to marketing a new model every year. Now in his 60s, Muller was at the peak of his powers.
Stories persist of his rigorous testing standards, as well as his propensity to work around the clock, restlessly redrawing the designs for his latest model.
His employees called him The Ever Changing Muller, for in his quest for perfection would often change details of a design within just days of the introduction date.
Heinrich Muller, founder and guiding personality behind Schuco toys, was very much a child of this age. Born in 1887 and educated to be a businessman, he nonetheless gravitated toward the burgeoning field of technology. Early on he proved himself to be resourceful, imaginative and practical.
By the late 1920s Schuco toys were recognized throughout the industry as both well designed and well built. Furthermore, to the satisfaction of parents, Schuco toys promised years of contented play.
It was Mullers clever mechanical designs, together with his rigorous attention to the details of graphics, that made Schuco toys enduring favorites.
One writer has described Schuco toys as always assuring an Aha effect.
When the first cars were introduced in the mid 1930s they were both technically revolutionary as well as artfully detailed. Competing toys of the time, while also well made, had none of the style of the Mullers models.
A Schuco car had a tailpipe, a functioning steering wheel, a reverse gear or a remote control devise. They were the wonders of their age and, as examples of design and detailing, remain ageless.
Schuco is still in operation and can be found here.
Hubley Toys
In 1892, John Hubley founded the Hubley toy company in Lancaster, Penn. By 1940, the company was the world’s largest manufacturer of cast iron toys.
However, such toys became less profitable due to freight costs and foreign competition. Eventually many of the cast iron molds were sold.
Hubley made all sorts of cast iron toys, including cars, trucks, banks, and even novelty items such as grasshopper toys.
Some of these toys fetch significant amounts of money. For instance, a Hubley Packard from 1929 can be worth $35,000 and a large airplane might sell for $20,000.
Fakes are so deceptive, they fool even the most trained eye.
Hint: The real one has white wheels
Caution: Some manufacturers are now making fakes that can fool even the seasoned collector. Duplicates from companies in China and Taiwan are significantly less valuable than original Hubleys.
Here’s how to avoid being fooled:
Take your time
There are a lot of very good fakes. They’re tricky, because they’re the right weight and the castings are very smooth.
The manufacturers also use a lead-based paint that to my knowledge isn’t available in the United States.
In many cases, they even mark the toys with the original Hubley model numbers. Then they treat the toys to make them appear 60-80 years old.
This car (above) even fooled an avid collector. He bought it in a hurry, without examining it closely. If it was a good original, it would have a value of $2,500. This one’s worth only $100.
Check the mold number
Study good original examples. You have to handle the toys to get to know them. Most reproductions have nickel-plated disk wheels like the originals, but you should look for the mold number.
Many fakes don’t have the four-digit mold number on the inside.
Of course it’s possible that you may find an original toy with replacement wheels, but it’s not very likely.
More paint = more value
The strongest sellers are the large scarce items (10 inches or larger) with excellent original paint. A toy with 98 percent of the original paint that’s in near mint condition might sell for $500. The same toy with only 50 percent of the paint, or a repainted example will go for only $100.
Further Reading:
Antique Trader Toys Price Guide by Kyle Husfloen
Schroeders Collectible Toys: Antique to Modern Price Guide, 7th Ed. by Sharon Huxford
Collectors Encyclopedia Toys-Banks:
Cast Iron, Tin Wind-Up, Autos & More With Prices
O’Brien’s Collecting Toy Cars and Trucks: Identification & Value Guide by Elizabeth Stephan
Matchbox Toys 1947 to 1998: Identification & Value Guide by Dana Johnson
Renwal World’s Finest Toys by Charles Donovan
Toys A to Z : A Guide and Dictionary for Collectors, Antique Dealers and Enthusiasts by Mark Rick
A Connoisseur’s Guide to Antique Toys by Ronald Pearsall
Antique Motorcycle Toys: Featuring the Collection of ‘Indian’ Al Liebowitz by Rich Bertoia
The Great American Antique Toy Bazaar 1879-1945 : 5000 Old Engravings from Original Trade Catalogs by Ronald Barlow
Magic Mirror, an Antique Optical Toy by McLoughlin Brothers
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