Bidspirit auction | Vertical Toy Steam Engine with

Vertical Toy Steam Engine with Spirit Burner and Sight Glass - A vertical toy steam engine constructed with a brass boiler and a ventilated tin-plate base and chimney. The unit features a single-acting oscillating cylinder mechanism and a cast metal flywheel painted red, which includes a pulley for driving external accessories. A steam whistle with a black wooden handle is mounted at the top of the boiler next to a weighted safety valve. The boiler is equipped with a glass water sight glass held by two metal brackets. The engine sits upon a flared tin base that houses a removable spirit lamp burner. The underside of the base features a small, rectangular area where an adhesive label was previously situated; the label is now missing, leaving only white residue and fragments that do not form legible characters or a maker's name. Measurements: The overall height is approximately 10.5 inches as measured against the provided ruler. Significant oxidation and green verdigris are visible around the water sight glass brackets and the seams of the brass boiler (photo 1 and 2). The tin-plate base shows surface rust, pitting, and loss of the original dark finish, particularly around the ventilation holes and lower rim (photo 1 and 6). The red paint on the cast flywheel is heavily chipped and worn with significant losses to the pigment (photo 1 and 5). The internal spirit burner exhibits heavy soot accumulation and surface oxidation (photo 6). While the glass tube of the sight glass remains intact, the surrounding white seals appear degraded (photo 2 and 4). General surface tarnish and light scratches are present throughout the brass and tin components consistent with age. The mechanical operation is untested.