Posted 14 years ago
Shawnl86
(122 items)
This last weekend at the Michigan Antique Festival I found this Wonderful Erector set by A.C. Gilbert, this is one of the larger sets and is considered the 8 1/2 which can build most models, When I first saw this set around all the other Expensive antique phones and toys I figured the price would of been around $200.00, but when I flipped the lid down and saw that it was only $85.00 I was shocked, the seller noticed me drooling over the set walked over said $75.00, I couldn't get my wallet out fast enough! According to the seller, the collector he had purchased it from mentioned that this was the most professional and caring packing job that he had ever seen in his 20 years of collecting, I did notice that each and every piece was packed away in its own spot and the person who had original packed this had hand made a wooden holding spot for the tower, elector magnet and also a wooden holding area for the rest of the set which can be seen in the fourth picture, each piece was gently put into its area, the only issue i found was that cord on the motor, which was the Original 1940s needs to be replaced which is very common according to many collectors since the plastic around the wiring ((which happens to be aluminum instead of copper)) generally gets worn off, other than that this set is in Excellent Condition, I wish they still had toys like this for kids… I mean this was meant to teach a kid how to build and operate his own steam engine… or oil rig... or anything he could imagine… Truly a piece of Americana which I think we could use more of in today’s Markets, Thanks for Looking!
Best Regards
Shawnl86
All I can say is WOW ! I truly LUSTED for a set like this when I was young ( and yes I was) ............very nice collectable.
Ha Nice one Pops! Thanks!
I rather play with that than any video game in the world.( i don't play video games since pacman and galaga)
Nice Maverick, what I liked about these sets is the Kid actually had to Think, I myself grew up on Legos so I was always using my imagination!
I got one of these for Christmas one year in the early 50's. I made all kinds of stuff with it a ferrris wheel, a phonograph, it was analog but had the needle and everthing. It would only play 78's. But it was fun to play with.
Sounds like you got allot of fun out of your set rlwindle, building your own phonograph sounds impressive and like a good learning experience!
Liked your story about drooling as he dropped the price hahhaa
I drool a lot of carnival glass and antique books hahaha
Thanks Robyn, I really do Love Carnival Glass.... but I also love American Made Antiques that were important to the culture at one time or another and I most definitely believe these were an important part of the American Toy Culture.
Thanks to the Hard Work and Ingenuity of previous generations of American Workers and Thinkers this set is still around after 60 years and is still in Good Condition, due to the High Quality of the pieces which were built to last and the Cherishment by the collectors who had held onto it previously.
I have a 1935 erector set in a wooden box with the how to make different thing book of instructions and I don't know to much about it but it ia AC Gilbert. I was wondering if you can tell me anything about it Thanks
Thanks for all the Stories, Comments and Feedback! :D
Can anyone tell me and my husband how many pieces are suppose to be in this No. 8 1/2 1940's erector set in the red metal box? Thank you
if you have not seen it have a look for the christmas film about him and the erector set, its excellent.
the film is called " the man who saved christmad " 2002 tv film, its about ac gilbert and his life :)
Im sure there is a Website that would be helpful Imander, and That was a Good Film!
Thanks everyone for the Comments and Feedback!
Thanks BK!
I received that set as a hand me down in the early sixties.Its probably still at my parents house somewhere in the attic.
Hello Ron, sounds like a Good Hand me down to me!
Definitely worth keeping in a safe place:)
Thanks again Tony!
Thanks for the continued support guys!
Thanks for the Loves! :D
Divasiv - this is NOT an appraisal site.
Agreed AGHCollect, this is not an appraisal site, don't worry I deleted his comments.