Arnold Tin Lithographed Windup #2025/42 XL Size Deluxe Ocean Liner with Box *SOLD*

Arnold Tin Lithographed Windup #2025/42 XL Size Deluxe Ocean Liner

This is a tin, lithographed, windup #2025/42 XL Size Deluxe Ocean Liner that was manufactured by Arnold Co. of Nuremberg, Germany.

This is an extremely fine Extra Large Ocean Liner by Arnold for sale.  Note the number of lifeboats as well as the twin props.  It is the most deluxe model of all Arnold ships and #2025/42.  It is the largest of the 2025 series of tin ships with three smokestacks and two tiers of lifeboats.

Production of this toy was right around World War 2.

The deck exhibits hand painting as well as the hull and waterline, in a high-quality prewar method.

The red paintwork on the waterline is in very good condition with minor chipping and some infill on the red.   Likewise, the white paint is all original with minor chipping.  The “A” Arnold logo is still intact on the front bow. Original masts are present with both pennant flags.

We note that Dick Claus had a similar ship in his toy boat collection.  If you are a tin toy boat collector, be sure to look up his book, The Allure of Toy Ships!

Our toy has a brass key included and the twin props work extremely well.   The toy is clockwork powered; wind up the toy and it will run for a long time.

This piece is in excellent all original condition with no breaks, restorations, repairs, or touch-ups. This piece shows the usual patina, fading, dust, chips, scuffs, surface rust, scratches, missing accessories, and wear that are to be expected from age and display. This is approximately 16 ½” L (42 cm).  We invite you to view the photos to further determine quality and condition.        

A brief history of Arnold Co. of Nuremberg, Germany: 

Active: 1906 to date 

Founder: Karl Arnold 

Specialty: Stationary steam accessories; nautical toys. Introduced “Rapido” gauge “N” model railroads in the 1960s.    

Arnold’s initial offerings included toy metal trains, model ships, doll house furniture, and many other types of toys.  In the early 1930s and 40s Arnold toys often have CKO or CKAO markings on them to identify this tin toy maker. For those that don’t know, Karl Arnold was born in 1865 in Bavaria. Then at the age of 41, he founded the company for mechanical toys in Nuremberg (1906). There is a wonderful book entitled Arnold – The Toys from 1906 until 1965 that shows more about this German maker. I wholeheartedly recommend Ulrich Schweizer’s book, especially to the person who purchases this solid toy or any of the iconic tin ships.