Electric Hansom Cab Hillclimber Toy

Datec. 1900

MediumMetal and wood

ClassificationsToy

Catalog number80.4.1

DescriptionA green and red electric Hansom Cab toy that rolls on silver wheels. (Toy is not electric-powered but resembles the real electric taxis of late 1890s New York.) This type of toy also known as a "Hillclimber" which refers to the mechanism inside the toy that drove the toy forward with a friction mechanism that turned its wheels.

Seated inside the cab is a cast iron figure of a well-dressed lady wearing a hat. The figure of the driver (or coachman) is missing. The driver would be seated on the rear seat behind the passenger cab. There is a hole in the seat where a post for the driver would go to secure him to the seat. The figure of the lady is secured with the same type of post and hole arrangement.

Stamped into metal on bottom: "PAT'D NOV. 2 1897"

According to internet sources on toy company histories (as of December 2017), these "Hillclimber" toys were largely associated with manufacturing companies in the area of Dayton, Ohio. Although no company name was noted on this Hansom Cab toy, manufacturer David P. Clark of Dayton, Ohio is noted as a possible maker of this particular toy. The D.P. Clark Company operated in Dayton from 1898 to 1909, after which the company name was changed to Schieble Toy & Novelty.

Toy is large - approximately 12'' in length (estimate)

Status

Not on view