Wolverine Supply & Mfg. Tin Lithographed Lever Action No. 31A “Merry-Go-Round” Circus Carousel with Planes and Horses *SOLD*

Wolverine Supply & Mfg. Tin Lithographed Lever Action No. 31A “Merry-Go-Round” Circus Carousel with Planes and Horses 

We have for you a tin, lithographed, lever-action No. 31A ” Merry-Go-Round” Circus carousel with planes and horses that was manufactured by the Wolverine Supply & Manufacturing Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.     

The lever spinning mechanism works properly. The horses go around the carousel and airplanes then spin outward with speed. This has two flags and plays music while the merry-go-round spins.  

Wolverine had a knack for making extra bright tin toys that completely captured the American carnival spirit around World War 2.  

This piece is in very good 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 play. This is approximately 11” D x 12” H. We invite you to view the photos to further determine quality and condition.         

   

   

A brief history of Wolverine Supply & Manufacturing Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania:   

1903 – 1950  

Founders: Benjamin F. Bain and his wife.  

Specialty: The Wolverine Supply & Manufacturing Company was founded in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1903, and incorporated in 1906. Wolverine`s early toys were set in motion by the weight of sand or marbles. These popular toys were usually designed to unload sand or marbles from an elevated hopper. Once set in operation, the toys continue to operate unattended until the supply of marbles or sand was exhausted, thereby providing endless hours of fun for youngsters. These types of toys were called “Sandy Andy”. In 1918, Wolverine`s line expanded to include girls` toys. Introduced at the New York Toy Fair in March of that year, were such toys as tea sets, sand pails, washtubs, glass washboards, ironing boards, and miniature grocery stores. In 1928, Wolverine introduced their “Sunny Andy” and Sunny Suzy” toys. Company advertising explained that the new names for the toys would cover all toys not operated by sand. By 1929, airplanes, boats, buses, and other toys had joined the Wolverine family of toys. Wolverine continued to expand their toy line throughout the 1930s, right up to the beginning of WWII, almost as if they were immune from the effects of the Depression. Even the sand toys, relatively unchanged from the early 1900s, were still being sold into the 1950s.