Bidspirit auction | Circa 1920s Marklin Live Steam

Circa 1920s Marklin Live Steam Stationary Engine - A German-made model stationary steam engine featuring a horizontal brass boiler. The boiler is secured with two copper-toned metal straps to a black-painted tinplate furnace housing, which is decorated with a simulated brickwork pattern. The engine assembly includes a single-action oscillating cylinder connected to a green-painted cast metal flywheel with five spokes. The entire unit is mounted on a stepped, lithographed tinplate base featuring a textured red top surface and a green and yellow marbled finish to the sides. The boiler is equipped with a glass sight gauge, a steam whistle, and a safety valve with a red-tipped lever. A removable tinplate chimney stack with a matching brick pattern and a spirit burner tray are present. The underside of the base features a printed black mark consisting of a rectangular cartouche with curved ends containing the name MARKLIN, above the text Made in Germany. Based on the visible wooden ruler, the base measures approximately 9.25 inches in width and 7.5 inches in depth. The item shows signs of age and previous use. The tinplate base has areas of paint loss, surface oxidation, and general dust accumulation, particularly visible on the green and yellow sides (photo 1). The brass boiler shows a darkened patina and surface spotting throughout (photo 2). The green paint on the cast flywheel is chipped and worn (photo 3). The sight glass appears intact (photo 4). The removable chimney stack does not fit perfectly into the collar on the furnace housing (photo 5). Oxidation is present on the piston rod and metal supports (photo 3). The spirit burner tray is present but shows heavy soot and surface wear from use (photo 4). The mechanical function of the engine is untested.