1936 Buddy L Electric Saddle Speedster In Original Box
Extraordinary pre-war pressed steel Buddy L No.440 Saddle Speedster with provenance from the historic Richard Keats collection. Mr. Keats was owner of Buddy L. The truck was retained as unused, unsold sample stock until it was offered March, 2001, Lot 506 as part of the Buddy L "morgue" warehouse dispersal. Grading near mint to mint condition and complete with original box and instruction sheet it remains as possibly the highest grade of its type in existence. Purchased from the Bertoia auction of the Kaufman Collection (KB Toys). Made of heavy gauge pressed steel it was painted in a slanted duo-tone red and yellow motif. The front end consists of an enclosed square cab with visor. The back end is a basic tractor trailer with rear upright brackets which hold a large, black removable contoured seat in place of the cargo section. The tires are solid black rubber with red painted ten-spoke embossed hubs. The tires are original. The paint used to color the hubs is also all original. It also has large early style flat electric head lamps that are controlled using a switch located under the driver's side door. The switch has never been turned on. The bulbs are both original to the toy. It also comes with its original removable twisted-wire Pull-n-Ride black metal handle. Each chassis side has its original yellow script Saddle Speedster lettered decals. Both are 100% complete. The box was printed on two panels with an accurate single color illustration of the actual truck. The third panel includes the toy name, catalog number and manufacturer name. The fourth panel is blank except for information about the box type. It's complete with all eight of its original endflaps. Once end is still factory sealed. The set of open flaps have the words "Saddle Speedster" and 1936" written in ancient pencil. Some faint red marks are located below this text. Also included are the original sheet of directions which show battery placement, activation of the electric lights, and bulb replacement. The sheet has a June 30, 1936 printing date on it. Size: 20". Date Sold: Sept. 2009
Price Sold: $ 885
