Cast iron ashtray in rectangular form, sloping sides, sunken top with raised sides having a textured surface with two corner indentations for cigarettes. Opposite end of indentation is a grouping of four geese, fully formed, attached to top surface with screws. Entire surface is bronzed with a pattern of oblique stripes on sides.
Marked "144" on bottom. The Hubley catalog "Metal Art Goods" lists this ashtray as #144 and named "Goosie Goosie Gander." The description notes it has "an unusual bronze finish".
Provenance
Owned by J. Roland Gilbert (1888-1940) and inherited by his daughter the donor (1916-1992). Donor writes: "acquired in the late '20s or early '30s and 'possibly' a gift from Mr. Joseph Breneman, a Hubley Exec." J. Roland Gilbert was president of Lancaster Press Inc. and general manager of the New Era Publishing Co.
Cast Iron Hubley Motorcycle with driver. Red "Indian" motorcycle with sidecar has a removable policeman with uniform, goggles, badge, sidearm, cap, boots and gloves. Cycle is painted red with silver handlebars, engine and highlights; sidecar seat is black. Decal on left side of gas tank has "Indian" on gold ground. Policeman is painted black with silver goggles, badge and buckle; face is pink. Three tires are marked "HUBLEY MFG CO. BALLOON" w/ size and "CORD". Metal "clicker" underneath. Sidecar policeman missing.
Moderate overall wear with soiling and significant scattered rusting and corrosion. All tires are flattened with some additional deformation.
Object ID
2010.023.2
Notes
Hubley Toy Company produced many different models, sizes and compositions of motorcycles during the years they were in production. Most of the motorcycles were based on Harley Davidson and Indian in the earlier years and then expanding to the BMW and perhaps others. Indian models are the most sought-after and have the highest value.
Hubley cast iron toy road roller based on actual roller made by Huber Mfg. Co. of Marion, Ohio. Tractor-like vehicle is green with red wheels. Long, thin body has single set of roller wheels at front and large roller wheels at back. At rear are a detachable cylinder tank and attached rake with wheels.
Gold-colored tank is embossed "HUBER" on both sides. Name is repeated within small molded ovals at both sides of front and on front grill body. Underside marked "HUBLEY" in raised letters. Various number on underside of various components.
Losses of paint, esp. on wheels and upper surface of vehicle. Rust and corrosion on unpainted surface. Break at one arm of rake attachment, underneath. Driver apparently missing.
Object ID
2010.023.3
Notes
The Smithsonian writes: "The Hubley Manufacturing Company of Lancaster Pennsylvania, became one of the nation's premier toy making companies. Incorporated in 1894, the company made eletric train related equipment before moving into the toy business in 1909. The toys were made of cast iron, and were often modeled on actual vehicles or machinery. The Huber mark refers to the Huber Manufacturing Company. Inventor and industrialist Edward Huber's Huber Manufacturing Company made farm machinery in Marion, Ohio. The company is credited with inventing the first workable gasoline tractor. It als manufactured road-building equipment."
