401 - Josef Falk Nuremberg Steam Engine with Boiler House and Removable Chimney, circa 1930

Josef Falk Nuremberg Steam Engine with Boiler House and Removable Chimney, circa 1930 Tinplate, the base plate lithographed in red with a yellow lining stripe. Large horizontal model steam engine with transverse boiler in nickel-plated finish, pressure gauge, safety valve and steam whistle, at the front the brass-coloured boiler door. The boiler house in grey brick lithography with round inspection openings and firing flap, beside it the tall, removable chimney on a masonry base, likewise with a brick appearance. On the engine platform the horizontal cylinder finished in red and black, flywheel with red spokes, centrifugal governor with gear drive and a curved steam line to the boiler. In the base plate the round maker's plaque. Included are the burner and one firing flap. Played with. 42x33.5x29 cm. Josef Falk founded his Nuremberg company in 1896, having previously worked for Georges Carette. In the 1920s and 1930s Falk was one of the important manufacturers of steam engines, drive models and magic lanterns; the catalogues of around 1930 listed more than 130 steam engines and more than 150 drive models. Characteristic are the elaborately lithographed tin parts with a brick appearance, with which the Nuremberg manufacturers reproduced entire factory complexes in miniature. Large machines of this type with a centrifugal governor are highly regarded among collectors of Nuremberg tin toys.