Merriam Antique ca. 1890 Tin Horse Drawn Acrobat Clown Bell Ringer Toy *SOLD*

Merriam Antique ca. 1890 Tin Horse Drawn Acrobat Clown Bell Ringer Toy

Our horse-drawn clown toy is a true antique, dating from around 1890 and Americana through and through.  We believe this to be manufactured by Merriam Manufacturing Company of Durham, Connecticut based on coloration and horse design.

The toy is simple, but it required a tremendous amount of tin press prowess.  It has quite a few figured stampings and a relatively complex pressing for the clown.  Ten ton presses (or more) were likely required to make this design; a true industrial age toy.

To operate you move the horse forward, and it “pulls” the trailer with an acrobatic clown on trapeze.  This fanciful toy spins the clown around the bar using a set of pulleys and string.

Condition is used and good, with play wear but traces of the candy coloring of greens and maroons and golds, typical of Merriam.

A brief history of Merriam Manufacturing Company of Durham, Connecticut:

Merriam Manufacturing Company of Durham, Connecticut was founded on January 25^th, 1851 by L.T. Merriam and its first directors including Merriam were Miles Merwin Jr., Samuel Newton, William Wadsworth, and Enos Rodgers. In approximately 1853 Merriam’s connection with the business was terminated, but the company retained the name.  The company specialized in tin toys and japanned and stamped tinware of various types. The success of the business was somewhat varied and the eventual end of the company is very hazy.