Dayton Friction Toy Works
Dayton, Ohio
Dayton Toy & Specialty Co. (SON-NY)
Dayton, Ohio
Dent Hardware Co.
Fullerton, Pennsylvania
Johann Distler
Nuremberg,, Germany
Charles William Doepke Manufacturing Co.
Rossmoyne, Ohio
Doll Et Cte (& C0.)
Nuremberg, Germany
Dowst (Tootsietoy)
Chicago, Illinois
Hans Eberl
Nuremberg, Germany
Edmund's Traditional Toy Soldiers
1950s - ?
EFFanBEE
New York City, New York
Gebruder Einfalt
Nuremberg, Germany
Ellis, Britton & Eaton
Springfield, Vermont
Toy Corporation (Emmets Dollar Trucks)
New York, New York
Enterprise Manufacturing Co.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
J. Falk
Nuremberg, Germany
James Fallows & Sons
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Farnell's -Alpha Toys - Made in England
Georg Fischer
Nuremberg, Germany
Fisher Price Toys
East Aurora, New York
Gebruder Fleischmann
Nuremberg, Germany
Gendron Wheel Company
Toledo, Ohio
Gibbs Mfg. Co.
Canton, Ohio
A.C. Gilbert Co.
New Haven, Connecticut
Girard Model Works, Inc.
Girard, Pennsylvania
Gong Bell Mfg. Co.,
East Hampton, Connecticut
Greppert & Kelch
Brandenberg, Germany
Grey Iron Co.
Mount Joy, Pennsylvania
S.G. Gunthermann
Nuremberg, Germany
Gutmann
Paris, France
Hafner Mfg. Co.
Chicago, Illinois
John Harper & Co., Ltd.
Willenhall, England
Harris Toy Co.
Toledo, Ohio
Hasbro Mfg.
Pawtucket, Rhode Island
O. & M. Hausser
Stuttgart (Ludwigsburg), Germany
J.L. Hess
Nuremberg, Germany
Heyde Miniatures
Dresden, Germany
N.N. Hill Brass Co.
New Jersey
Johann Gottfried Hilpert
Nuremberg, Germany
Hoge Mfg. Co. (pronounced Hoagy)
Manhattan, NY.
Hubley Mfg. Co.
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Hull & Stafford
Clinton, Connecticut
1909-1935
SON-NY
Founder: D.P. Clark (see D.P. Clark) D.P. Clark was the predecessor of the Dayton Friction
Specialty: Pressed Steel friction toys with patented horizontal flywheel.
Patented horizontal flywheel (1926) under trade name "Gyro"; maker of child-size, up to 24 inches long.
1920s - early 1930s
Founder: Dick Cummings
Specialty: Large, heavy-gauge, pressed-steel transportation toys. They made the Son-ny line of medal toys.
1895-1937 ( continued to manufacture cold storage hardware until 1937).
Founder: Henry H. Dent, with four additional partners
Specialty: Cast-iron and aluminum transportation toys and banks. "Pioneer" fire truck, Ford Tri-Motor, and large hook-and-ladder toys were popular items.
1900 - 1968
Founder: Johann Distler. In 1917, Distler took on Messrs. Brown & Mayer as partners. In 1923, partners took over after Distlers death. Brown & Mayer sold out to Ernst Volk in 1935. From 1962-1968, a Belgian firm assumed the toy business.
Specialty: Lithographed tin penny toys; comic and erratic action transportation toys.
1920s and 1930s
Specialty: Faithful replicas of transportation, fire fighting, farm, and construction vehicles under the name "Model Toy". Known for rugged, heavy-gauge steel construction and ease of operation.
1868-Post-World War II
Founder: Peter Doll and J Sondheim. Firm was taken over by Fleischmann in1938 but the name was retained until 1948.
Specialty: Steam engines and accessories; novelty trains and cars, some of which were steam propelled. Trademark based on the initials D.C..
Late 1890s
Founder: Charles O. and Samuel Dowst
Specialty: Miniature cast-metal cars, trains, and planes. Tootsietoy name introduced in 1922 when Dowst introduced a line of doll furniture (named after a Dowst granddaughter, Toots). Merged with Cosmo Mfg. 1926; acquired Strombeck-Becker toy line in 1961 and made a name change as Strombecker Corp.
1900 to late 1920s
Founder: Hans Eberl
Specialty: Automotive toys bearing the initials H.E.N.; Borgfeldt was a factory agent for Eberl.
Founder: Edmund Fangonilo
Specialty: Confederate Regiment replicas in limited editions of 100 sets, created by the artist, Fangonilo.
1910 to date
Founder: Fleischaker and Baum ( from which the trade name derives).
Specialty: Early on, EFFanBEE specialized in bisque, cloth, and composition baby and toddler dolls, with slogan: "They Walk, They Talk, They Sleep." Later the firm made a number of celebrity puppets and ventriloquists' dolls, including Charlie McCarthy, W.C. Fields, and Howdy Doody.
1922 to date
"Technofix"
Founder: Georg and Johann Einfalt
Specialty: Oversized penny toys; comic and erratic action tin wind-ups. Prior to 1930s, toys can be identified by the initials "G.E" or "G.E.N.". Assumed the mark "Technofix" after 1935.
1859- early 1900s
Founder: Joel Ellis
Specialty: Wooden dolls, sleds, pianos, rolling hoops, and toy carriages.
In 1873, Ellis patented his most popular toy, the Jointed Wood Doll, made of maple with cast-iron hands and feet. Two nearby firms, Cooperative Mfg. And Vermont Novelty works, continued the patent.
1929 - 1932
Founder: Louis Emmets
Specialty: Emmets' toy line, like the lightweight metal toys of Chein and Kiddies, featured toy trucks made of 20-gauge steel. These trucks averaged 22-inches in length and 7-1/2 inches in height. All trucks were equipped with solid rubber tires, marked "Emmets", in bas-relief. Characteristics of Emmets' toys were the large, non-functioning steering wheel and the "modified C' closed cab. All Emmets' trucks had a decal positioned on only the left side of the truck's cab or service bed. The decal identified the toy as a product of the Emmets Toy Corporation, as well as indicating the toy's production. Emmets Dollar Trucks, as they were known, were on the market for a relatively short time, thought to be about 3 years at most. Therefore, the trucks are considered to be hard to find. Advertising by the Emmerts Corporation ceased in 1932 and the company's status after that remains unknown.
1876 - 1888
Specialty: Hardware manufacturer specializing in coffee grinders, turned out a series of still banks commemorating the U.S. Centennial Exposition held in that city (i.e., Independence Hall Globe Bank). Also produced such mechanical banks as Elephant with pop-out man and Memorial Money Bank (Liberty Bell).
Late 1890s - 1940
Founder: J. Falk
Specialty: Stationary steam engines, optical projectors, and steam-propelled boats.
1870 to ?
Organized under name "C.B. Porter Company. In 1894, name was changed to Frederick & Henry Fallows Toys.
Firm began carrying his name about 1880. Principals were James Fallows and his sons, Henry, Charles, and David.
Specialty: Painted and stenciled tin horse-drawn, wheeled vehicles, trains, and river boats. Highly prized toys often carried marl "IXL", said to be based on word-play "I Excell". (Some feel that it signifies the date of Fallows' arrival in Philadelphia from the old country.) Fallows' demise coincided with the advent of lithographed tin toys in the 1880s.
1840
The firm of J.K. Farnell was founded in 1840 in Notting Hill, London, England, initially making Pincushions. They then began making soft
toys. When the founder, John, died in 1897, his children, Agnes & Henry, moved to Acton in East London where they started to produce soft
toys, including high quality plush teddy bears. In 1925 they registered the Alpha trademark. The quality of their toys was consistently high.
Some of their Alpha toys, especially their children, rival in beauty and quality those made by Lenci in Italy. Among the dolls, they produced a
series of musical dolls and a number of beautifully painted children dressed in high quality clothing and reminiscent of Kate Greenaway.
Most Farnell dolls date back to the 1930's In 1935 the trademarks Alpha Cherub Dolls and Joy Day were registered.
Early 1900s - 1914
Specialty: Tin penny toys and other novelties. Trademark "G.F".
1930 to date
Founders: Irving L. Price, Herman G. Fisher, and Helen M. Schelle. Herman Fisher, who was the first president, resigned in 1966 and was succeeded by Henry H. Coords. Quaker Oats Company acquired the firm in 1969.
Specialty: Lithographed paper applied over wooden and plastic pull toys, including the early Doctor Doodle, Lookee Monk, Dizzy Dino, and Woodsy-Wee toys. Mickey Mouse, Donald, Goofy, Snow White, and scores of other Disney characters were featured in the 1930s and 1940s. To date Fisher Price, any toy featuring the vertical white reverse out of black logo predates 1962; any item containing any or all plastic parts was made after 1949.
1887 to date
Founder: J. Fleischmann
Specialty: Quality tinplate boats in the 1920s, as well as automotive replicas. Took over Doll et Cie just before WW II and has concentrated on model railroads to this day.
1872 to 1941
Founder: Pierre Gendron
Specialty: In 1872, Pierre Gendron made the first "Pioneer" vehicle in a small workshop in his home near Toledo, Ohio. The company was originally organized with the purpose of manufacturing wire wheels. By 1920, in addition to wire wheels, Gendron was making baby carriages, tot's push cabs, and doll vehicles. With the increasing popularity of bicycle riding, Gendron manufactured a complete line of bikes. In 1928, Gendron Wheel Company, now recognized as one of the leaders in juvenile pedal vehicles, added pressed-steel toy trucks to their "Pioneer" line" of toys, utilizing the trade name of "Sampson". Sampson trucks are easily distinguished from American's Giant and Toledo Metal Wheel's Bull Dog trucks by the unique shape of its redesigned hood and radiator. The hood was designed to follow a more conventional radiator shape than the previous Mack profile radiator used by the other manufacturers. Sampson's near rectangular decal, with the word "Sampson", is affixed to the sides of the various service beds and a small Sampson decal is located at the top of the radiator. All trucks, except the low end items, came equipped with hand-cranked noisemakers. In all likelihood, the American-National Company, after sharing the tooling for the trucks with Toledo Metal Wheel, sold the same tooling to Gendron in 1928. Gendron revised the design of the hood and radiator of the truck to give it a Gendron personality and continued to manufacture Sampson trucks until about 1930 or 1931.In all probability, Gendron's "Sampson" steel trucks and airplanes were victims of the depression. Gendron continued to produce juvenile pedal toys and outdoor gym equipment until the outbreak of WWII.
1884 to date
Founder: Lewis E. Gibbs
Specialty: Originally manufactured plows. Added toys in 1886. Mechanical spinning tops, wagons, and lithographed paper-on-wood, metal, and advertising toys.
1908 - 1966
Founder: Albert C. Gilbert
Specialty: Began as a manufacturer of boxed magic sets. Introduced Erector Sets in 1913, an instant success( 30 million will be sold over the next 40 years). Bought out Richter Anchor Block, an American affiliate of Meccano, at the beginning of WWI. Pressed-steel autos and trucks were added to the line in 1914, plus a variety of scientific toys. Purchased American Flyer in 1938 and retained only the name for a line of trains. Gilbert subsequently had financial woes of its own and the toy train line was sold to Lionel in 1966.
1919-1922
Other names: Girard Mfg. Co. 1922-1935; The Toy Works, 1935-1975(Spinning tops, skates, banks, trains, military toys).
Founder: Frank E. Wood
Specialty: In the late 1920s, Girard made Louis Marx a commission agent and for several years produced toys under the Marx label, along with its own line of steel autos, trucks, and trains, which were produced at Girard Motor Works. Marx and Girard toys are for all intents indistinguishable ( a few of the Girard toys bore the slogan "Making Childhood's Hour Happier"). Girard declared bankruptcy in 1934, although toy production continued until 1975. Quaker Oats had bought out Marx's interest in Girard when they bought Marx's American and English toy division 1972.
1886-late 1930s
Specialty: Hardware bells and cast-metal bell pull and push toys.
1912 - 1930
Founder: Gundka, G.&K.
Specialty: Small lithographed tin mechanical toys; mid-1920s appears to have been the height of their popularity. Often marked "Gundka Werke", or with G.&K.
Other names: 1900 ( Under name Brady Machine Shop) to date. First produced toys in 1903).
Specialty: Grey Klip Army toy soldiers (1917-1941) in cast iron, nickel-plated. "Iron Men" series, 1936; "Uncle Sam's Defender", 1938. The firm produced miniatures under the name "Greyklip Armies"; also an "American Family" series just prior to WWII. Still operating today as John Wright division of Cons Co.
1877 - 1965
Founder: Sifried Gunthermann
Specialty: Began producing tinplate mechanical cars in 1898; also a number of comic and character wind-ups in the early 1960s. When founder died in 1890, his widow married Adolph Weigel; toys from that period on bore makers mark with a shield inside circle and initials A.S.G.W. Wiegels initials were removed following his death in 1919. Company was acquired by Siemens in 1965.
1945 to date
Specialty: Lightweight tin motor vehicles. Trademark: MEMO
1900 to 1950
Founder: W.F. Hafner
Specialty: Joined with Edmunds-Metzel Co. in 1907 to manufacture trains and mechanical toys. Became American Flyer Manufacturing in 1910 and was sold to Wyandotte in 1950. When Wyandotte closed its doors, Marx acquired Hafner dies.
1790 - 1940
Founder: John Harper
Specialty: Produced banks in the 1880s. Cast-iron still/mechanical banks and toys. Noted banks include; "Wimbleton Bank", "Grenadier", "I Always Did Despise a Mule", "Football Bank", and "Giant on Tower".
1887 - 1913
Specialty: Produced cast-iron toys in the 1880s. Harris also acted as jobber for Dent, Hubley, and Wilkins. Financial difficulties forced them out of toy production by 1913.
1923 to date
Founder: The Hassenfeld brothers
Specialty: Makers of plastic and wood toys, including Super Weeble, Potato Head, and G.I. Joe series, which has gone through several transformations. The articulated plastic figures in cloth uniforms were originally 11 1/2 inches tall; the new G.I. Joe's, recalled to active duty in 1982, measured a mere 14 inches. In 1987, G.I.Joe was the number one selling toy in America.
1904 - 1983
Founder: Otto and Max Hausser
Specialty: Dolls, toys, and military miniatures of composition sawdust and glue, made under the name "Elastolin". Also made still banks from 1929-1939.
1826-mid-1930's
Specialty: Tinplate pull-along trains and various other parlor toys; toys autos that bore the trademark name "Hessmobil".
1872 - 1945
Specialty: Full-round solid military miniatures. Decidedly topical, Heyde produced new sets of replications of soldiers whenever a war broke out, in a variety of sizes from 40 to 145mm. Highly prized are the special sets(i.e., "Buffalo Bill", "North Pole Expedition", "Tiger Hunting in India"). Heyde's factory was wiped out by Dresden firebombing in 1945. Heydes usually bear no trademarks, but can be distinguished by their highly stylized, thin and fragile appearance.
1889 - 1960
Specialty: Branch of National Novelty for four years ending in 1907. Merged with Watrous Mfg. Co. in 1905, another bell toy maker. Specialized in cast-iron and pressed-steel bell push and pull toys, toy telephones, and target games.
1770s - 1801
Founders: Johann Hilpert, Johann Georg , Johann Wolfgang Hilpert.
Specialty: The firm was the first identified manufacturer of tin soldiers. In addition to military (Frederick the Great's Potsdam Guards are a stunning example), Hilpert also produced a variety of flat figures depicting hunting, farming, and theatrical life. Identifying marks "H", "JH", "JGH", or "Hilpert" on base. Figures were often dated.
Founded in 1909
Specialty: Founded in 1909 in Manhattan, NY, by Hampden Hoge,
who had left the company by 1919. They produced only office supplies until
1931, when Henry Katz dissolved his company and came to manage Hoge's
new toy division. The firm contracted construction of their toy designs to
Mattatuck Manufacturing Company. Products included stamped steel passenger and
animated circus cars as well as electric and clockwork locomotives. The
line ceased in 1939 and Hoge was bought and dissolved by Mattatuck in
1958. The name is currently the property of Robert Hoge (no direct relation
to the founder), a Hoge collector.
1894 to date
Slogan: "They're Different"
Founder: John E. Hubley
Specialty: Brand name: Lancaster Brand Iron Toys. Originally manufactured electric toy train equipment and parts. Purchased Safety Buggy Co. factory and moved to site in 1909. First manufactured cast-iron toys, horse-drawn wagons and fire engines, circus trains, and cap guns. Toy autos became the headliners in 1930s. By quickly converting to cheaper smaller toys during the Depression, they avoided financial woes experienced by many other toy companies. Iron shortages in WWII and commitments to fill war contracts did stop the toy division in 1942, until after the war.. The name was later changed to Gabriel Industries and still existed as a division of CBS as of 1978.
1860s - 1880s (Established as Hull & Wright; acquired Union Mfg. Co. in 1869.)
Specialty: Intricate, enameled tin toys.