Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

Ives was definitely a toy maker but have no idea when it comes to steam engines.

Thanks, Nick

I was just reading from a book that arrived in the mail a few minutes ago.  It's called Cavalcade of Toys, published in 1942.  In it there's an etching from an 1875 Union Mfg catalog that shows a workshop very similar to yours.  On significant difference is that it's powered by your Buckman horizontal (which oddly reminds me of the Sphynx).

On page 200 they write "A boy with a steam engine needed something to operate with it, and so the miniature machine shop became popular.  The Union Manufacturing Company of 13 Vine St., Brooklyn, N. Y. catered to this specialty."

They go on to write, sadly without references, that "The Union Company appears to have taken over in 1880 the 'Young American' engine."

Would you mind if I used pictures from your Flikr album in my article?

This was in a recent ebay ad from Walnutts

“The Union Manufacturing Company was founded in 1854 in Clinton, Connecticut. It was a small Toy manufacturing Company that produced Tin and Live Steam Toys. In 1869 the company was acquired by Hull & Stratford. The Live Steam Boat offered here was manufactured sometime during the short period that the company existed.”

Thanks, I thought the dates seemed off. I purchased the boat so fingers crossed for a safe arrival. Does anyone know who Walnutts is? I assume he lives close to a Bertoia auction house and always has nice pieces from their sales.

Hey Bob, when you are conducting your research into Buchman's, can you do me a favor.
I bought this engine about 12-13 years ago and it was said to be a Buckman from 1895.
It's my Avatar here on the forum. Several times I ask if anyone know more about it or
can confirm the manufacturer. Nick doesn't think it is but there's a few characteristics that
are like Buckman. If you run across one in your travels, could you make a note of it,
for inquiring minds that want to know, that'd be me. Thanks.



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Oh Nick, you're such a Steam Hound, you love em all.

Whoa Tommy, that is one very interesting engine you have there!

Any chance you could give us a full feature thread on that old beauty?

Quote from: Stoker on March 20, 2024, 10:43:36 am

Whoa Tommy, that is one very interesting engine you have there!

Any chance you could give us a full feature thread on that old beauty?

I suppose I could but a different thread, this is Bob's.

Yep, that's what I had in mind!