Title & Author:

Gilbert Erector skyscraper set : architectural construction : a complete building outfit.

Publication:

[1935] (New Haven, Conn. : A.C. Gilbert Co.)

Description:

1 building set : steel and colour-printed cardboard ; various sizes in box 25 x 46 x 4 cm + 1 instruction manual ([22] pages : chiefly illustrations ; 17 x 28 cm)

Notes:
Steel Erector frame pieces with cardboard fac̦ade panels. The latter are printed on both sides and together depict skyscraper buildings of the 1930s. Screw and nut assembly, with snag rivets. Set S according to side of lid.
"Copyright 1935 by the A.C. Gilbert [sic], New Haven, Conn."
Price as indicated on price ticket from E.W. Edwards and Son: $3.50.
Accompanied by folder showing "a few of the prize winning models of the great Erector model building contest of 1934" (1 folded sheet ([4] p.) : ill.; 18 x 29 cm.). Accompanied also by list of patents (1 sheet; 22 x 8 cm.), with foreign patents dated from 1915 through 1931.

Exhibitions:

Exhibited: "L'architecture en jeux: jeux de construction du CCA = Buildings in boxes: architectural toys from the CCA", Centre canadien d'architecture, Nov. 27, 1990-Mar. 31, 1991.

Summary:

A rare Erector set due to its short production run (1 year only). The depression years provided an opportunity for American toy manufacturers to buy and use high quality materials, rather than the automobile and lumber scrap formerly used in the manufacture of toys, and to employ as well skilled labour culled from other industries. (Cf. A. Fraser. A history of toys. London, 1972).

Resources:
Image

Subject:

Metal toys United States Specimens.
Paper toys United States Specimens.
Toys United States Specimens.
Jouets en métal États-Unis Spécimens.
Jouets de papier États-Unis Spécimens.
Jouets États-Unis Spécimens.
Metal toys
Paper toys
Toys
United States

Form/genre:

Specimens

Added entries:

A.C. Gilbert Company.
Mysto Manufacturing Company.

Holdings:

Location: Library main objects 61131
Call No.: TS2301.T7.M4 M973 1935
Status: Available