Ives Cast Iron Phoenix Large Four Horse Band Wagon*SOLD*

Ives Cast Iron Phoenix Large Four Horse Band Wagon

This remarkable wagon features intricate gold detailing and swirling sculpted patterns. The rear of the wagon showcases a circus acrobat atop twin horse sculptures, while there are four sousaphone players, four horn players, and a driver accompanying it. Additionally, the rear bench is flanked by a lion with a flowing mane. Though the horses and tree have undergone touch-ups, the wagon remains an impressive approximately 30″ L cast iron toy.

A brief history of Ives Manufacturing Company of Plymouth/Bridgeport, Connecticut:  

Founder: Edward R. Ives  

1868 – 1932 

E.R. Ives & Co. of Plymouth, Connecticut 

1868 – 1870  

Specialty: Originally made baskets and hot air toys.  

Ives, Blakeslee, & Williams Co.  1872 – 1932   

Specialty: Ives joined in partnership with his brother-in-law Cornelius Blakeslee. Ives moved to Bridgeport in 1870; by the 1880s, they were leaders in superb clockwork toys designed by Jerome Secor, Nathan Warner, and Arthur Hotchkiss. Ives also acted as a jobber for other toy manufacturers` toys. The firm filed for bankruptcy in 1929, another victim of the Depression. Lionel took over the company at that time, and the name Ives and Blakeslee remained until 1931.