Marklin/Gebrüder Maerklin Tin Hand-Painted Windup Sedan *SOLD*

Marklin/Gebrüder Maerklin Tin Hand-Painted Windup Sedan

“Quiet Running, easy switching of direction of travel, indestructible quality and elegant equipment”

Our 11 inch Marklin Automobile is known as a landaulet or small landau; at times it is known as a rear entrance limousine.  Translating to modern terms, that would be a carriage divided into two sections, one for a driver and then a protected passenger area.  This toy was made ca 1909 when automobiles were also known as horseless carriages.

• “Indestructable Marklin Quality”
• Quiet Running
• Hand Finish
• Glass Windows
• Nickeled Headlamps
• Working Steering with a worm gear.
• Rubber Tires
• Working Rear Brake & Lever
• Doors Open
• Hand Pinstriping.

The 1909 catalog has a similar open phaeton model 5206, and ours is a transitional piece to 5214 which is enclosed.

We have deluxe treatment with the four headlamps, some had only two, and then a metal roof rack for luggage.  Doors open.   The windup works properly to power the vehicle.

Only after deep examination and expert reviews, do we note this as a partially restored car.  We suspect the blues were repainted and then aged.  Bottom drive gear appear to be original paint, however we can not be sure.  In a nod to the European restorer, the work is almost imperceptible.  Bass gear has proper darkening.  Rubber tires are aged and paintwork shows proper patina; we suspect this a very early restoration by a master.

We have only seen two other examples of this car in cataloging, and both are deep in private collections.

Price $15,000

A brief history of Gebruder Maerklin (or Marklin) of Goppingen, Germany:  

1859 to date   

Founder: Theodor Friedrich Wilhelm Märklin and his wife, Caroline Märklin   

Specialty: Originated as a maker of doll-sized tinplate kitchenware. When sons took over the business in 1888, the firm name was changed to Gebruder Maerklin. Branched out to a variety of enameled tinplate boats, carousels, aeronautical toys. Unsurpassed in the production of clockwork, steam, and electric trains. Introduced first standardized tinplate tracks in 1891. Maerklin switched to plastic train sets in the late 1950s.   

Known As: Gebruder Maerklin, Maerklin Bros. & Co., or Marklin