Auburn Toy Truck

[kwalker]

My dump from yesterday dried up pretty quick. No finds for the day from there. So I went for a walk next door to behind my neighbor's house and started finding prohabition era ("Federal law prohibits the sale and reuse of this bottle" Prohibition?) flasks and bottles. Under a few sticks I found this cute thing. The sides say "Auburn safe play Toys" and "Auburn Telephone" so this is what appears to be a telephone maintanence truck. It's made from moulded plastic and I thought these trucks were made in cast iron as well? Can anyone give me a little more information on the company, the truck itself, and possible value? It's a little crooked and warped because of the years in the dump and both axles are broken but the wheels are still on there.

 

[JOETHECROW]

That's a cool little truck.

 

[Poison_Us]

It sure is. I grew up just outside of Auburn..........California. So probably not the same place.
Here is a look at old town.... Makes me a little homesick to brows the pix. The most recognizable building in the area is the old firehouse. Some artist created a painting of old town some time ago and I stumbled upon it in a gallery in the Rushmore Mall in Rapid City. I spotted the old firehouse from across the room. I wanted to buy it, just because.

http://www.oldtownauburnca.com/list.php?cat=5&sub=5

Oh, and this is where a good portion of Phenomenon was filmed. Opening shot is Sacramento street. You could see all filming stuff from the interstate. After shooting I was in some of the shops and many had pictures of the actors and such hanging in their shops.

 

[bottle_head9]

Very cool find.[]

 

[surfaceone]

Hey Kenneth,

I really like that truck. Great recovery, and in amazing shape, considering it's previous resting place.

There's a great article on The Auburn Rubber Co. and their toys @ Toy Collector Magazine.

There's a lesser write up @ Wiki-ville.

From.

The "Federal Law Forbids..." language is post Prohibition, (1932-1964) and what I consider an in ground dating signal.

 

[kwalker]

Thanks for those links surfaceone, they really helped and so did your help on the bottles too. This helps put an approximate age on the truck. I think the model of the truck is a '54 Ford F350. What do you think? This is a similar model of the truck outfitted with road-railer wheels.