 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Hess early pre-litho trains, circa 1890s Loco (wheels inside frame) L 1.88” (4.7 cm) W.88” (2.2 cm) H 2” (5.1 cm) Loco (wheels outside frame) L 1.88” (4.7 cm) W 1.06” (2.7 cm) H 1.75” (4.5 cm) A pair of early pre-litho trains with different wheel configurations. The top photo shows wheels inside the frame, uses the early patented lead-fixed wheelset and sits slightly higher (2” – 5.1 cm). The bottom photo shows wheels outside the frame, sits slightly lower (1.75” – 4.5 cm) uses a three piece wheelset consisting of two separate wheels and a nail-like axle crimped on one end to fasten. Locos are spirit varnished with passenger cars painted. The lead fixed wheelset became a standard on trains until a new three piece wheelset was developed for the series 100 trains soon after. |
|||
 |
Hess First Lithographed to Tinplate Trains The first Hess litho on tinplate penny toy trains. The loco remains spirit varnished on both with lithographed rolling stock and one tender is litho printed. Some tenders were decorated with paper litho printing pasted to the tinplate. The direct predecessor to this train had paper litho pasted onto the tinplate cars and had the appearance of being printed on the tinplate itself. These two trains are early and the graphics changed between them as Hess experimented and improved its product. |
|||
 |
Hess Chocolat Maestrani Train, circa 1900 Hess series 100 lithographed cars pulled by an older style spirit varnished locomotive. This train is a transition piece between styles and carriages were soon accompanied by the new style Hess 100 locomotive. This example is a candy container filled with Maestrani chocolate, a Swiss company which remains in business today. A modified firebox in the locomotive slides opens to hold candy and the roofs of the carriages also slide open. Tops of the carriages are marked “Chocolat Maestrani”. |
|||
 |
Hess 1023 Locomotive With 300 Series Passenger Cars, Circa 1900 No catalog reference has ever been seen for this locomotive with or without rolling stock, but the 300 series of wagons seem to fit well. These 300 series wagons have also been observed boxed with the big 575 flywheel powered locomotive. Many different and unusual combinations can be expected from the early lithographed toys until standards were established. |
|||
 |
Hess 575 Flywheel Powered With 300 Series Cars, Circa 1900 Unusual combinations of locomotives and cars are to be found on the early lithographed toys until Hess standardized models and manufacturing. This big wheel 575 locomotive has been observed paired with 300 series wagons. They fit together well, but these combinations are rarely seen.
|
|||
