This electric powered painted tin street car was made and presented in 1895 by Bridgeport CT. high school student Lewis Christie as part of his talk Ten Years of Electricity for which he won first prize in the annual Barnum Essay Contest. In operation the trolley derives power from overhead catenary wire, a system first introduced in 1895. The front motorman moves appropriately during operation. The model is offered with original wood carrying case and original newspaper clippings detailing the event. It is mounted on a contemporary display base. At some point, probably at the time the model was displayed by the maker's son in 1952, the original motor was replaced with a newer one. The 'people catcher' basket is not original to the model. The trolley is designated as #18 car of the Bridgeport Traction Co.. Bridgeport was the home of Mr. Barnum as well as the Ives, Blakeslee & Williams Co. forerunner of Ives Mfg. Co., an interesting pedigree.

trolley body 16" l.

very good to excellent (paint losses, damage to motormens faces)