Bidspirit auction | Yankee School Master

Yankee School Master - a k a the Alphabet Man. Unknown American Manufacturer. Made Circa 1880's - 10 1/2” Tall. From the Tom Anderson Collection. The Yankee School Master is an inventive toy that serves the didactic function of teaching the alphabet to every child who plays with him. This broad-shouldered, barrel-chested, short-legged educator is very colorful and comical in appearance. As the lever is lifted and depressed, his eyes roll up and down and his left hand moves to indicate that the letters in his collar have advanced. No one has ever made a firm attribution as to the maker of this ingenious cast iron figure. But, at this time, we put forward our belief that it is the handiwork of the J. & E. Stevens Company. We make this claim based on his near total facial resemblance and identical hairstyle to Boss Tweed in their Tammany Bank. Furthermore, nuanced hues that include light green, blue, burnt red, yellow and white are virtually alike in both toys. There are fewer than ten remaining examples of this toy in the world. Condition: Near Mint Condition.