Arcade Cast Iron Tractor W&K Fordson *SOLD*

Arcade Cast Iron Tractor W&K Fordson

Arcade Cast Iron Tractor- Fordson with W&K hubs and rubber tires.

Date: Approximately 1923

Material: Cast Iron

Company:  Arcade

Size: About 7″ approximately

Country of Origin: USA

Condition: Repainted and restored with driver

Notes:  The owner who restored this beauty is a well known toy collector and did an exacting job.  The driver is bright nickel just as the original, the wheels are rubber, just as the original W&K or Whitehead and Kales, and then the paint is a beautiful shade of bright red.

A brief history of Arcade Manufacturing Company of Freeport, Illinois:

The Arcade Manufacturing Company of Freeport, Illinois was originally founded as Novelty Iron Works by Edward H. and Charles Morgan in 1868, and conducted business in two small buildings with a staff of ten people.

The company operated between the years 1868 to 1946. They began making toys and coffee mills and then moved to a new site in 1893 (after fires, financial issues, and changing their name from Novelty Iron Works). 

Arcade toy catalogs appear to start at 1902 and as late as 1939. Arcade`s toy line included over 300 toy items. Yellow Cab was their first successful toy followed by Andy Gump in 348 and Chester Gump in His Pony Cart. Arcade also made toy banks, doll house furniture, and cast-iron penny toys.