German Ferris Wheel Toy by WK or Welker Kraus *SOLD*

German Ferris Wheel Toy by WK or Welker Kraus For Sale

To most this is a relic ready for scrap, but to early tin toy collectors, it is an original condition Ferris Wheel toy circa 1900.

This tin Ferris Wheel has additional “complications” over what the later 1920’s designs had.  Each of the five gondolas have a gear set to rotate on a horizontal plane.  Then the rotating wheel rotates the gondolas on a vertical plane.  We get double the spinning complications.

The tin toy was designed to attach to a steam engine and turn by pulley and belt.  Note the large wheels with a pulley mounted on the outside, ready for a belt and propulsion.

Paintwork is poor and original.  Traces are very flaky, but some is still there on the base and quadruple flag ornamentation.  Gondola condition is very good with dust.  Tin lithograph passengers are in good condition with some shoulder spotting and darkening from dust.

The WK tin toy came from a German family that immigrated to the U.S. around the 20th century, so this is a new to market toy.  -An Original family toy.

We also note that the Schiffer book on Tin Steam Toys has a similar model that was heavily repainted.  Ours is in original condition and ready to be conserved as-is or restored.

*Price upon request*  Further research in process.