Antique Wind-Up Double Decker open air bus by the Ferdinand Strauss Toy Company, New York; circa 1925; is quite a large and substantial toy resembling very closely, buses of that era.
Ferdinand Strauss was a German toy maker who started his company in 1914 in New York, bringing a lot of German design and ingenuity to his products. This bus was undoubtedly influenced by his German counterpart, Ernest Lehman’s “Autobus”, from about the same time period.
The bus is all original with no repairs and no touch up or repaint to the lithography. It is done in green overall with yellow lines and highlights. The wheels are also original (often replaced) and are grey and orange. Markings include the Strauss logo on the rear side panel; “Inter-State Bus” under both side windows and front panel; with number “98” above. Note the detail and lifelike appearance to the benches in the upper deck. The colors here are quite strong—not faded as they often are. The original figure driving the bus is there and intact wearing his cap and uniform. Also of note is the fact that the rear staircase is still there and original; often absent, or at best replaced. There are a couple of insignificant scratches to the surface and a minor crease (top rear right upper deck panel); upper echelon of condition for this hard to find in original condition toy.
To operate:
wind-up the attached clockwork key as in the video (available on request, please view); and then place on the ground. It might require just a little shove to get it going; moves pretty well.
Dimensions: 10 1/2″ long x 6″ high x 5 1/2″ wide
Provenance: From my personal collection of fine antique toys. Acquired in 1995 from a prominent toy collection.
Note: After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage toys and children’s playthings; important considering the fakes and reproductions in the marketplace
it would behoove an enterprising collector, dealer, or decorator to take advantage of the opportunity to buy as many of the vintage tin toys that I have listed for sale; it would create an immediate quality collection, as most of these toys came, either from a long time premium California collection or from my own shelves. It would take quite some time and effort to accumulate toys this clean, authentic, original, operable and in excellent condition.
See my other listings of vintage toys.