Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8

Antique Toy Wind-Up Double Decker Bus by Ferdinand Strauss Toy Co. Circa 1925

About the Item

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 (attached to the listing, 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.
  • Creator:
    STRAUSS (Manufacturer)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 6 in (15.24 cm)Width: 5.5 in (13.97 cm)Depth: 10.5 in (26.67 cm)
  • Style:
    Folk Art (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Tin,Metalwork
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Circa 1925
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Incline Village, NV
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU973239152432
More From This SellerView All
  • Vintage Toy Wind-Up "Baby L" Speedboat by Lindstrom Toy Co., American Circa 1933
    By Lindstrom Tool & Toy Company 1
    Located in Incline Village, NV
    Vintage toy speed boat manufactured by the Lindstrom Toy Company of Bridgeport Connecticut, circa 1933 or earlier; the Lindstrom company having been founded in 1913, made quality tin...
    Category

    Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Toys and Dolls

    Materials

    Tin

  • Vintage Toy Wind-Up "Johnny" The Dancing Clown by Lindstrom Toy Co., Circa 1930
    By Lindstrom Tool & Toy Company 1
    Located in Incline Village, NV
    This is a hard to find pre war vintage, Made in America wind up tin toy by The Lindstrom Toy Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut, circa 1928-1932. The action is fabulous; when wound ...
    Category

    Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Toys and Dolls

    Materials

    Tin

  • "Komikal Kop" Tin Wind-Up Toy by Louis Marx Co., circa 1930
    By Louis Marx and Company
    Located in Incline Village, NV
    This is the more rare and desirable variation of this toy, with the dog riding "shotgun", sitting on the running board of the auto. The tin lithographed and hand painted wind-up toy by the Louis Marx Company of New York City, circa 1930, was undoubtedly influenced by Mack Sennett's Keystone Kops series featured in silent films. The toy portrays a New York City policeman, seated behind the steering wheel of a car with his dog by his side on the running board; driving erratically; forward and backwards, left and right; doing "popping wheelies", while spinning his head around in utter confusion attempting to negotiate traffic. The toy works great; just as it did when new, (see the attached 40 second movie with the listing). Simply wind up the fixed clockwork key in place a few times (do not over-wind) and watch the action described above. This "Komikal Kop...
    Category

    Vintage 1930s Folk Art Toys

    Materials

    Tin

  • Vintage Tin Wind Up Toy "Boy Skier" by J. Chein & Co. American Circa 1950
    By J. Chein & Co.
    Located in Incline Village, NV
    Very nice condition all tin, vintage wind up toy by J. Chein Company, New York City, circa 1950, "Boy Skier"; in all original paint and lithography; in ...
    Category

    Vintage 1950s American Folk Art Toys and Dolls

    Materials

    Tin

  • Walt Disney Enterprises "Pinocchio" Wind-Up Toy by Marx Toy Co., N.Y. Dated 1939
    By Louis Marx and Company
    Located in Incline Village, NV
    Fabulous condition and in perfect working order on this "Walt Disney Enterprises" copyrighted (labeled---see image) vintage wind-up toy of the iconic Disney character "Pinocchio", da...
    Category

    Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Toys and Dolls

    Materials

    Tin

  • Vintage Toy Wind-Up Speed Boat with Driver by Lindstrom Toy Co., American 1933
    By Lindstrom Tool & Toy Company 1
    Located in Incline Village, NV
    Vintage toy speed boat manufactured by the Lindstrom Toy Company of Bridgeport Connecticut, circa 1933 or earlier; the Lindstrom company having been founded in 1913, made quality tin...
    Category

    Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Toys and Dolls

    Materials

    Tin

You May Also Like
  • Wooden Wind-Up Double Decker Bus
    Located in Los Angeles, CA
    Charming painted wooden wind-up patinated white / red double-decker bus. Raw wood peeks through the original paint to make for a pleasing texture and patina. A compliment to bookshel...
    Category

    20th Century Folk Art Toys and Dolls

    Materials

    Wood

  • 1920s Rare Levi Strauss & Co. Belt Buckle
    By STRAUSS
    Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
    Brass belt buckle marked "San Francisco, CAL." Original riveted quality clothing. Patented May 20, 1873 trademark. With original black leather belt which has seen wear but complete. ...
    Category

    Vintage 1920s American Historical Memorabilia

    Materials

    Brass

  • Vintage Wind-Up Tin Toy Motorcycle with Co-Driver and Key
    Located in Schagen, NL
    Vintage 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

    Materials

    Tin

  • 'Rajputana' Tin & Celluloid Wind Up Japanese Toy
    Located in Hamilton, Ontario
    Vintage 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

    Materials

    Tin

  • Marx Toys Cowboy in Jeep Tin Lithograph Wind-Up Toy
    By Marx Toy Co.
    Located in Fulton, CA
    1950'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

    Materials

    Tin

  • Animal Wind-up toy dog with spin tail, 1950s
    Located in Delft, NL
    Animal 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

    Materials

    Mohair, Straw

Recently Viewed

View All