Toy replicas of major engines, made by the former Hubley
Manufacturing Co. in Lancaster, Pa. are among the more than 300
Hubley products on view at the Heritage Center museum in
Lancaster.
The special exhibition, through Nov. 21, features many
hard-to-find Hubley items in cast iron.
Among the engines reproduced are two shown here a Huber
steamroller with driver, made 1927-28, and a tractor with driver,
shovel front, 1933. Both are from the collection of Lillian
Gottschalk, an antique toy collector of national prominence, who
organized the exhibition.
Hubley made a number of other models of farm engines. Some of
these are exhibited with photographs of the engines on which they
are based.
Since many persons still living in Lancaster were associated
with the firm in one way or another as employees, collectors and
recipients of toys as gifts, the exhibition has attracted unusual
attention.
Many persons remembered having had Hubley toys when they were
children. Some recalled that such toys were among the objects
disposed of by the family in cases of moving to a new home,
clearing of an estate, or just a plain clean-out of attic
accumulations.
When they learned of the values now placed on such toys by
knowledgeable people in the hobby, such former owners expressed
even greater regret than before, that they had not retained the
toys.
Patricia J. Keller-Conner, director/curator of the Heritage
Center, wrote an article for the show for Antique Toy World
magazine, July 1987. In its early days, the company made and sold
electric steam and mechanical toys, among other products. Its later
range included iron bulldogs and cap pistols.
Also on view through Nov. 21 is a collection of paintings by
Hattie Brunner, an antique dealer who started painting in her
70s.
The Heritage Center museum is on Penn Square, Lancaster, next
door to the Central Farmers Market. Its permanent displays include
many exceptional antiques made in Lancaster County. Admission is
free.
