Antique ca. 1900 Hess “1041 Sailboat” Tin Lithographed Paperboard Sail Flywheel Friction German Toy *SOLD*

Antique ca. 1900 Hess Floor “1041 Sailboat” Tin Lithographed Paperboard Sail Flywheel Friction German Toy

This ca. 1900 tin lithographed “1041 Sailboat” with flywheel mechanism and paperboard sail was manufactured by J.L. Hess of Nuremberg, Germany. This same boat was also licensed to Carette by Hess. This sailboat was the medium size version of three boats offered by Hess.

This sailboat has a built-in lead flywheel mechanism with a dedicated knurled knob. When the knob is turned or it’s pushed across the floor its offset front wheel simulates wave action. Everything works as it should and it rolls nicely across the floor. There are no markings other than “1041” lithographed on both sides and “D.G.R.M.” and “Eng. Patent” stamped on the tinplate front wheel.

Our example of this Hess “1041 Sailboat” is in great original condition with no restorations, repairs, breaks or touch ups.  The lithos are in good overall with the usual patina, scratches, scuffs and chips that are seen with age and play. It is approximately 9 ½” long, 2” wide, and 8” high. We encourage you to examine the photographs to get a better idea of condition and quality.

A brief history of J.L. Hess of Nuremberg, Germany:

J.L. Hess was founded in 1826 in Nuremberg, Germany. Hess was one of the first to make railways from pressed steel. Johann L. Hess inherited the company in 1866, and it ceased production in 1934. They specialized in Tinplate pull-along trains and various other parlor toys, as wells as, toy autos that bore the trademark name “Hessmobil”.