Bidspirit auction | Circa 1920s Doll et Cie

Circa 1920s Doll et Cie Stationary Live Steam Engine - A vintage stationary live steam engine featuring a horizontal boiler and a single oscillating cylinder. The toy is constructed on a rectangular lithographed tin-plate base with a yellow field, red borders, and black accents. The silver-tone boiler is mounted atop a black-painted tin firebox which features embossed brick texturing and three circular vent holes. A red-painted chimney with matching brick texturing is attached to the rear of the firebox. The mechanical assembly includes a red-painted flywheel with a polished outer rim, a drive pulley, and a governor-style framework supported by four brass-toned pillars. An oval black decal is applied to the yellow field of the base (photo 2) containing a gold-toned stylized script monogram featuring the intertwined letters D and C. The base appears to be constructed of folded tin-plate with several visible tabs on the underside. Base Length: 10.25 inches (measured across the longest point in photo 8) Chimney Length: 4.5 inches (measured in photo 7). The lithographed tin base shows significant surface wear, including widespread fine cracking or crazing to the finish and multiple scratches throughout the yellow and red fields (photos 1, 3, and 5). The red chimney exhibits heavy paint loss and chipping, particularly at the top rim and along the textured surface, exposing the underlying metal (photo 7). The silver-tone boiler and brass components show general surface oxidation and tarnishing consistent with age (photo 3). A small circular hole is present in the red border of the base, likely a manufacturing feature for mounting (photo 8). The underside of the base shows surface rust and oxidation, along with remnants of an old paper label (photo 6). The spirit burner tray is missing from the firebox assembly (photo 4). The mechanical function has not been tested and the boiler has not been pressure tested.