1926 Reeves Mfg. Co., The Air-E Go-Round #2
This triple monoplane, mechanical merry go-round produced by the Reeves Manufacturing Company was one of the earliest U.S. produced "amusement park" toys. It was first advertised in 1926 and retailed for $1.00 (see original advertisement below). The Reeves company had been in business for 28 years as a producer of boiler works and sheet metal. It wasn't until 1912 that the company manufactured novel mechanical and gravity powered toys. By the end of the 1920's they were gone. Today, the scarcity of their toys is evidence of their short lived role as a toy manufacturer. I've found only four or five other Reeves toys in working condition. This Air-E Go-Round is only the second I've found in complete working, high grade condition, however all previous examples I've seen had a red tin litho base and hood, and brass plated monoplanes (see photo below). The toy in this auction is a completely different version that is not included in any reference. The toy is lithographed tinplate consisting of a four sided converging tower. Near the base on one side is a steel thumb lever. Pressing down on the lever releases a spiral cylinder inside the toy. As the spiral winds back into place it causes the upper platform to spin for a good 20 seconds or so. It comes with all three original yellow-ochre monoplanes with red celluloid spinning propellers. The planes are permanently attached to the tower by the two metal rods holding them in place. Each side of the fuselage is marked "America" in red. The wings and tail are marked with the Army Corp. insignia star within a circle (also in red). The toy is all original, except for the propellers which have been replaced. It works great! I've seen the box for this toy only once. Size: 10". Monoplanes 4" fuselage and 3" wingspan. Sold: Jan. 2007
Price Sold: $ 356
