“Kadi” is the name of this rare Chinese themed vintage German made mechanical toy; depicting two turn of the century Chinese men with pigtails walking along, while carrying a large tea chest for conveyance. It was manufactured by the iconic German toy maker Ernest Paul Lehman who was recognized as one of the finest makers of children’s toys from 1885 through World War II; shipping and marketing his toys world wide—-predominantly to England, America, and Germany.. His attention to detail along with charismatic and entertaining subject matters on his toys made the Lehman Toy Company one of the most profitable and popular entities of that time.
The toy is in highly unusual all original condition with absolutely no repaints and no restoration or touch-up of any kind. It is lithographed and hand painted in colors of red pants, checkered light and dark blue vests, flesh tone faces and dark and a light blue tea chest. The men maintain their original “ques” (pigtails); wheels at the base and mechanism are also original.
The markings on the tea chest proclaim shipments to “Peking, Nanking, Canton, Hong Kong Shangai, and Tiensin”. At the top of the tea chest is the Ernest Paul Lehman early logo “Marke” and on the underneath is “D.R.G.M.” (Deutsches Reichsgebrauchsmuster), and patent export info for Germany and England (see images).
The toy works as it would have originally— a loose string would have been wound and attached to the flywheel mechanism on the side of the tea chest and pulled . Upon placing toy down, the two men gracefully walk along the floor. The same mechanism result can be achieved by spinning the flywheel between your thumb and forefinger—place on flat surface and watch toy move across the floor (see operational video available upon request).
The flywheel, cam and gear mechanism in this toy is much smoother and better made than those examples seen in later wind up toy manufacturing.
The “Kadi” Lehman Toy is memorialized by foremost Lehman toy authorities, Jurgen and Marianne Cieslik in their book “Lehman Toys” on page 68 where it is identified as “EPL. No. 725″.
Dimensions” 7 1/4″ long x 2 1/2″ wide x 5 1/2″ high
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.