Items Similar to "Kadi" Pre-war Wind-Up Toy by Lehman Company. Germany Circa 1905
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 12
"Kadi" Pre-war Wind-Up Toy by Lehman Company. Germany Circa 1905
About the Item
"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 accompanying this listing).
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.
- Creator:E.P. Lehman Co. (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 5.5 in (13.97 cm)Width: 2.5 in (6.35 cm)Depth: 7.25 in (18.42 cm)
- Style:Folk Art (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1900-1909
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 1905
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Incline Village, NV
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU973232974412
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Established in 1976
1stDibs seller since 2013
247 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
Associations
Art Dealers Association of America
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Incline Village, NV
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Vintage "Masuyama" Lehman Wind-Up Toy. German, Circa 1913 RareBy E.P. Lehman Co.Located in Incline Village, NVEarly 1900's German hand painted and lithographed tin wind-up toy, by premier tin and whimsical toy maker, Ernest Paul Lehman, circa 1913. This charming and unique toy portrays a Ja...Category
Vintage 1910s German Folk Art Toys and Dolls
MaterialsTin
- German Tinplate Clockwork Wind Up Toy by the Lehman Co. "Balky Mule" Circa 1909By E.P. Lehman Co.Located in Incline Village, NVPerhaps the wildest action of all the Lehman toys, said to resemble Ernest Paul Lehman's temperament (founder of the company), "Balky Mule" was first manufactured in 1897 in Berlin (Brandenburg), and had a multi decade run; this example is from around 1909 (see image with markings to the rear of the carriage). The toy is catalogued as "EPL #425" and documented on page 59 and 60 of the book "Lehman Toys" by Jurgen & Marianne Cieslik, published in 1982. To operate the toy; wind up the attached clockwork key on the underneath of the carriage and place the toy on the floor. Do not over-wind and be gentle, as the toy is aggressive and over 100 years old. The toy will go backwards and forward, and the clown will pop up and down as the cart goes in several different directions across the floor until it winds down (see video accompanying the listing for guidance). The toy is found broken and/or inoperable, more often than not, because of the rough action, and typical abuse by children (after all, it was a toy). This example is in very nice original condition and works well. The lithography and hand paint is bright and original with no touch up or repaint. The hand paint is; flesh tones to the face of the clown, red trousers, orange hair, and grey paint to the seat of the carriage. The clothing to the clown figure is still intact and all original. The lithography to the wheels features brightly colored clowns and a German marking logo. What is really unusual is the fact that the donkey still has all four of its loosely attached original legs, considering the aggressive action of the toy. The metal on the donkey is actually treated with "fabric like" paint, to simulate fur. All in all this is a really cool toy and a "must have" for the collector of tin toys, or someone who simply wants a wonderful example of an early, "turn of the century" iconic wind up toy. Provenance: Recently acquired from a prominent toy collection in Los Angeles, California Dimensions: 7 1/2" long x 3" wide x 5" high 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...Category
Antique Early 1900s German Folk Art Toys and Dolls
MaterialsTin
- Lehman Auto "Ito" Sedan, Germany, circa 1913By E.P. Lehman Co.Located in Incline Village, NVThis hand-painted German tin toy was manufactured by the "Lehman Toy Company" in Brandenburg, Germany beginning in 1913. It was made for a number of ye...Category
Vintage 1910s German Folk Art Toys
MaterialsTin
- Vintage Pre-War Wind-Up Toy "Boy on Motorcycle Delivery Truck" by MarxBy Louis Marx and CompanyLocated in Incline Village, NVThis brightly lithographed tin wind-up toy in colors of red, yellow, and blue, with a driver dressed in appropriate motorcycle clothing, depicts a young man driving a delivery cart with "Speed Boy Delivery" printed on each side of the wagon. The manufacturers logo is clearly marked on both sides of the stake wagon and on the right shoulder of the driver "MAR" with a circle around it and "Made in The United States of America, New York, N.Y." around the circumference (see images). The license plate number is "268", which, along with the red painted inside of the drivers arms (as it should be!) indicates this earlier version and authenticity. Nearly 100 years old, it still operates fine and, upon winding the attached wind-up key a few times and placing the toy on the ground, the motorcycle and driver move across the floor on the way to their deliveries; do not over wind. (see video attached to this listing). The toy is completely original and in very good condition, with no repairs or restorations of any kind and no touch up or repaint. The arms and steering handle bars are also original (sometimes replaced) and they have the appropriate paint and markings. This would make a welcome addition to a collection of pre-war Americana. Dimensions: 9 7/8" long x 5 7/8" wide x 5 3/4" high After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage toys...Category
Vintage 1930s Folk Art Toys
MaterialsTin
- Vintage Toy Wind-Up Dump Truck by The Marx Toy Company, N.Y. American Circa 1930By Louis Marx and CompanyLocated in Incline Village, NVOffered is a hard to find Marx floor toy dump truck with dual action. NOT diecast------made of all tin. Capability to raise and lower the bed is activated by rotating the attached a...Category
Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Toys and Dolls
MaterialsTin
- Vintage Tin Wind-up Toy "Doughboy" by J.Chein Company. American Circa 1930By J. Chein & Co.Located in Incline Village, NVOf American manufacture, by the J. Chein Toy Company in New York City; this early 1930's vintage tin toy depicts a World War I "Doughboy" or American infantryman wearing his back pack and green "fatigues", and when wound up and released on the floor, he walks along (more like waddles along) in a "happy go lucky" manner ------works great! (see attached video). The toy is in excellent and completely all original condition with no restoration and no touch up paint. The lithography and paint is bright and shows little wear except for a couple of superficial scratches on the back (see images). Dimensions: 6" high x 2 3/4" wide x 2 3/4" deep. Provenance: From a recently acquired prominent collection of vintage tin...Category
Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Toys and Dolls
MaterialsTin
You May Also Like
- Enormous Pre-War Toy Steel Hoisting CraneLocated in Doornspijk, NLThis gigantic - nearly man high - steel hoisting crane will give a dull corner the right Industrial look and feel you are looking for. The fully operational toy dates from the firs...Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Industrial Toys and Dolls
MaterialsSteel
- 'Rajputana' Tin & Celluloid Wind Up Japanese ToyLocated in Hamilton, OntarioVintage Japanese tin and celluloid wind up toy. When you wind this toy the top spins around while the babies on the back move from side to side and the el...Category
20th Century Japanese Toys and Dolls
MaterialsTin
- Marx Toys Cowboy in Jeep Tin Lithograph Wind-Up ToyBy Marx Toy Co.Located in Fulton, CA1950's Marx Toys tin lithograph and plastic wind-up Jeep with Cowboy driver. Notice cowboy boots and steer horns mounted to front grill. Excellent, original working condition.Category
Mid-20th Century American Toys and Dolls
MaterialsTin
- Animal Wind-up toy dog with spin tail, 1950sLocated in Delft, NLAnimal Wind-up toy dog with spin tail, 1950s A wind-up animal toy, colored yellow with brown spots in velvety soft mohair and green glass eyes. On the belly the winding system wit...Category
Mid-20th Century European Toys and Dolls
MaterialsMohair, Straw
- Li'l Abner Tin Lithograph Mechanical Wind-Up Piano Band ToyBy Unique Art Manufacturing Co.Located in Fulton, CAUnique Art Manufacturing Toy Company. Circa. 1940’s. Tin Lithographed Windup “Li’l Abner and his Dogpatch Band” . In excellent, original working condition. Tin wind up toy...Category
Vintage 1940s American Toys and Dolls
MaterialsTin
- Vintage Wind-Up Tin Toy Motorcycle with Co-Driver and KeyLocated in Schagen, NLVintage Wind-up Tin Toy Motorcycle with Co-driver and key. The piece comes from ca. the 1950s and remains in good condition for it’s age. Normal wear. ...Category
Vintage 1950s Industrial Toys and Dolls
MaterialsTin
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
World War Two German
World War Ii Furniture
California Furniture Company
World War 2 Furniture
Chinese Men
German China
P P Watch
R And Company
Antique Pre 1900
Antique Logo
Tea Chest
Antique Floor Company
American Watch Co
World War 2 Antique
Antique China Art Collectibles
World War Ii Germany
Chinese P
German Antique China