Bidspirit auction | Doll and Cie German Vertical

Doll and Cie German Vertical Steam Engine - A German live steam toy engine of vertical construction. The piece features a blued tinplate boiler mounted above a black japanned metal base. The base is decorated with red and green hand-painted pinstriping. The mechanism consists of a single oscillating cylinder connected to a red-painted cast-metal flywheel. The top of the boiler is fitted with a nickel-plated chimney cap, a steam whistle with a black lever, and a safety valve. The unit is powered by a removable metal spirit burner that fits into the base. An oval adhesive label on the base shows a green background with a red border, containing two overlapping red letters identified as D and C, above the printed words MADE IN GERMANY. Dimensions: The chimney section measures approximately 4 inches in length, and the overall height of the assembly is approximately 10.5 inches as measured against the scale provided. The black japanned finish on the base shows visible paint loss and wear at the corners and edges, exposing the underlying metal (photo 1 and 2). The decorative pinstriping remains largely present but shows minor fading. The red paint on the flywheel is chipped in several areas (photo 2). The boiler shows a darkened, mottled patina consistent with heat exposure from use (photo 1). The interior of the base and some metal fittings exhibit surface oxidation (photo 4 and 5). The nickel plating on the chimney cap and whistle shows dulling and pitting (photo 6). The mechanical parts move freely, though the engine is sold as untested for live steam operation.