Revised: 6/3/2008

The presale estimate should be (50-100).

WICKER BABY PULL CARRIAGE. Wooden seat with curved wicker back on spoked wheels with rubber slips and two back safety wheels. SIZE: 32″ l x 23″ h. CONDITION: Fair to good with oxidation to metal and wear to paint. 1-8475 AT (500-100)

Revised: 6/3/2008

The description erroneously stated that its original patent papers identified the toy as “The Educator”. Copies of the original patent papers (which we now have to accompany this lot) actually refer to it as “Educational Toy” or “The Yankee Schoolmaster”, patented August 26, 1884.

RARE & DESIRABLE CAST IRON TOY “THE EDUCATOR” AKA ALPHABET MAN. This phenomenal toy is both intrinsically appealing and charismatic. This toy was made in the latter part of the 19th century and would be the focal point for an advanced toy, bank or folk art aficionado. Often called the alphabet man, its true name according to patent papers is “The Educator”. This short, stout fellow with disproportionate extremities, upon depressing the lever, lowers his pointing hand, blinks his eyes and a new letter appears at his bow tie while his hand rises back up pointing to said letter. Just as cast iron mechanical banks were designed to educate and encourage children to save, it is obvious this toy was designed as an early educational toy to teach the children the alphabet or various words with that first letter. Only a handful of these rare toys have survived over the past 100+ years. Made of cast iron and gaily enameled in vibrant colors, it contains a somewhat intricate mechanism concealed within his body. This toy was prominently displayed at the famed Perelman Toy Museum in Philadelphia, PA for many, many years. SIZE: 10″ h. CONDITION: Overall paint condition is very fine plus with a minor repair to finger lever, some paint restoration to blinking eyes, and small internal repair. 1-8501 JL (80,000-120,000)