Here's a new one for me. Beside the Russell Frisbee engine (left) is a tiny toy beam engine I believe to be Buckman or another early American manufacturer. Has anyone ever seen an ad or catalog image of this one? As you can see the engine was called the "Empire" which has nothing to do with the later Empire Co. It has the same curved spoked flywheel as other early engines attributed to Buckman including one called the "Hero", also with its name cast into the cylinder. The 4-legged base is also similar to small horizontal engines attributed to Buckman as in the auction photo.
Oh My!! 😍 😍
You didn’t happen to find a second one to share with a steam friend??
I wish; never seen another one.
I don't usually answer my own questions but took a second look at the literature I have and this turned up. These are snips from an 1886 "FAO Schwarz Toy Bazaar" advertisement (Brooklyn, NY) reprinted in the 1971 "Toys, Dolls, and Games" book. While the "Hero" and "Ajax" engines are illustrated, the "Empire" beam engine is not shown but is described; this is definitely the engine in the photos above. Schwarz sold toys from many different makers including Buckman.
Nice detective work and neat to see the ad. You didn’t happen to come across any literature on this one in your searches?
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Haven't seen that one in any literature but looks like from the same maker and/or period.