base - from catalog card: 4 in x 4 in; x 10.16 cm x 10.16 cm
overall - from catalog card: 11 in; 27.94 cm
overall: 11 in x 4 1/2 in x 4 1/8 in; 27.94 cm x 11.43 cm x 10.4775 cm
Object Name:
toy, steam engine and boiler
steam engine and boiler, toy
Place made:
Germany
Date made:
early 20th century
Description (Brief):
This toy steam engine was made by the Märklin Company during the early 20th century. This toy steam engine consists of a firebox, vertical brass boiler, chimney stack, and vertical engine that powered a flywheel, all mounted on a red cast iron stand. The Märklin Company logo can be seen stamped on the side of the boiler.
The Märklin Company was established in 1859 in the town of Göppingen, Germany by tin smith Theodor Friedrich Wilhelm Märklin. Märklin began his business with the production of tin doll houses, but the company soon began producing a variety of tinplate and metal items, eventually specializing in toys that included steam engines such as this one.
Location:
Currently not on view
Related Publication:
Maass, Eleanor A.. Greville Bathe's "Theatre of Machines": The Evolution of a Scholar and His Collection
