Bidspirit auction | Warner's Mechanical Oarsmen

Warner's Mechanical Oarsmen - Made by Ives, Blakeslee & Company. Bridgeport, Ct. - Circa 1875 - 12” Long. This fascinating description was written for promotional marketing by the National Toy Company in its jobbers catalogue for 1870: ”The oarsman will pull the boat on any sheet of water or in a wash tub for a distance of about 500 feet. It works naturally and is truly a scientific toy. $28 per dozen, wholesale”. This represents the finest quality specimen of this toy we have ever seen, but sadly, the rudder is lacking. Condition: Near Mint Condition. Lacks rudder.