Bidspirit auction | ”Songbird” Mechanical Fire Pumper

”Songbird” Mechanical Fire Pumper - By the George W. Brown Company. Forestville, Ct. - Ca. 1870 - 16” Long. From the collection of David Pressland. Produced just after the Civil War, this extraordinary mechanical tin fire toy was meant to be a meticulous copy of the steam-powered fire engines that children saw in their everyday lives. The toy is Impressive for all its features, including a striking bell, hose nozzles, multiple steam valves and a small mascot in the form of a cast lead songbird. But such fine crafting and precise detail came at a price. Indeed, the Brown Company never charged less than $2.25 wholesale for it. Folk art dealer Harris Damiant discovered the ”Songbird” engine in the early 1970's and sold it to David Pressland for $6000, an absolutely astronomical selling price for such a toy in that period. The Haradin's acquired it from Pressland in the 1980's. This offering represents a terrific chance to add a breathtakingly beautiful early toy to your collection. Condition: Excellent Plus Condition.