1936 Lindstom, Mechanical Land O'Lakes Truck in Original Box
The Lindstrom Tool & Toy Co., Bridgeport, CT produced mechanical and marble scoring toys for nearly 30 years. However their short lived Series 1218 consisting of clockwork tin litho trucks based on actual American companies was one of their most beautiful sets. In all likelihood it was probably one of their scarcest. This is the Land O'Lakes, semi tractor trailer truck. It was authentically designed to include the famous Indian Maiden logo. This example, grades in spectacular near mint+ condition, and is by far the highest grade I've seen for any truck from this series. It comes complete with its original color illustrated box which grades in incredible excellent+ to near mint condition. The toy is completely manufactured from lithographed tinplate. The truck cab is brilliant mandarin orange with black roof set onto a deep red colored chassis/fender/running board assembly. The single piece grille, front bumper and head light assembly are polished tin. No chrome plating was used. It was detailed with embossed hood louvers, passenger and driver doors, and windowed driver. The cab's rear axle can be positioned into any of four slots allowing it run straight, right, or left. The cab section also houses its complex clockwork motor which uses a series of five step-down gears to power the front wheels. The separate key is die cast metal and fits perfectly over the key stem without rubbing against the door. From the size and fit it appears to be original. Best of all it works great! The trailer features the delightful full color Land O'Lakes Sweet Cream Butter logo lithography on both sides. The logo which includes pine trees and cows in the background dates the toy to pre-1939. These details were eliminated in the fall of 1939 and have never been changed. The trailer walls, including the double latching rear doors were lithoed a butter yellow color with light gray roof, and blue gray chassis. Both the truck and trailer sections run on four, pressed disc solid metal wheels (eight wheels total). Again these are all polished tin, not plated. The arrangement of four wheels on each section allows them to be played with individually, or hitched. The box is absolutely gorgeous. It features a panel-wide full color illustration of a Lindstrom tractor trailer truck which includes the company motto, " The Nation's Toy for Girl and Boy". This same style generic box was used for the entire series of Lindstrom's Mechanical Truck and Trailer Series 1218. No exterior marks or stamping was used to differentiate the truck inside. While researching this toy I could find only one other comparable sales. Sold at auction in 2007, Lot 1499, by Robert Edward Auctions was an example of Lindstrom's Uneeda Biscuit Truck by the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco). Complete with its original box it was graded as "exceptionally high grade, but still displays light wear including some very light scratches on the roof". It's the only other box I've seen for this toy. Size: 6½" x 2¼" x 1½". Sold: Jun. 2008
Price Sold: $ 1500
