American. 1895-1919. Cast iron, tin. The toy, sometimes referred to as a "horseless carriage," appears to be made by the Wilkins Toy Company/Kingsbury Manufacturing Company. The phaeton-style toy was known to be one of Wilkin's first toy cars. It is known as a "phaeton style" as it refers to toys modelled after a lightweight, open-air carriage automobile designed for "pleasure driving". This type of toy lacked fixed roofs or side windows, mimicking the doorless, open-seating profile of the real vehicles. Unlike formal carriages, with a separate bench for a coachman, phaetons were designed to be driven by the passengers themselves. From the Yvan Lalonde Collection.

Size
5.5" x 4" x 9".

Condition
Good condition. Stable paint flakes and oxidation. Cast iron components retain their original surface. Toy is base metal (not silver paint) with areas showing remnants of the original surface. Clockwork mechanism tested and working. Driver retains articulating arms.

Medium
Cast iron, tin.

Provenance
From the Yvan Lalonde Collection.