Title & Author:

The Mysto Erector. No. 1 : the toy whose girders resemble structural steel.

Publication:

[1914] (New Haven, Conn. : Mysto Mfg. Co.)

Description:

1 construction set (140 pieces) : steel ; various sizes in cardboard box 22 x 32 x 3 cm + 1 instruction manual (32 pages : illustrations ; 22 x 31 cm)

Notes:
Essentially stamped steel parts with screws and nuts. Set no. 1, with list of contents mounted on verso of lid.
Title from printed (chromolithograph) label mounted on recto of lid.
Box illustration signed: A.D. Steinbach, N[ew] H[aven] C[onnecticut]; W.B. Smith.
"Patented 1912 by Mysto Mfg. Co."
Essentially stamped steel parts with screws and nuts. Set no.1, with list of contents mounted on verso of lid.
Library copy: incomplete: wanting screw driver. Set includes inspector's voucher stamped with date 1914.
Library has also a photograph of a young Erector prize winner shown with his constructions, 2 of which appear in the instruction manual accompanying the above set.

Exhibitions:

Exhibited: "L'architecture en jeux: jeux de construction du CCA = Buildings in boxes: architectural toys from the CCA", Centre canadien d'architecture, Nov. 27, 1990-Mar. 31, 1991.
Exhibited: "L'architecture en jeux: jeux de construction du CCA = Buildings in boxes: architectural toys from the CCA", Centre canadien d'architecture, Nov. 27, 1990-Mar. 31, 1991.

Summary:

The manufacturer, Dr. A.C. Gilbert, began the production of magic kits in 1909 under the name of Mysto Magic Co. and first produced the Mysto Erector in 1913 under the name of Mysto Manufacturing Company. The company conducted "one prize contest every year ... to get ideas from boys for new models". In 1916 the firm became known as A.C. Gilbert Company, located on Erector Square in New Haven, Connecticut. Gilbert continued to develop the Erector, which was the first toy with gears, pinions and electric motor. In 1920 Gilbert purchased the American branch of Meccano. Gilbert's company made non-toys as well as various toy sets, and continues to-day to manufacture many products including the Erector set, probably its most famous. (Cf. R. O'Brien. Collecting toys. Florence, Ala., 1990)

Resources:
Image
Image:

Subject:

Gilbert, A. C. (Alfred Carlton), 1884-1961.
A.C. Gilbert Company.
Metal toys United States Specimens.
Toys United States Specimens.
Jouets en métal États-Unis Spécimens.
Jouets États-Unis Spécimens.
Metal toys.
Toys.
United States.
Erector Sets (TM)

Form/genre:

Screw-and-nut assembly system toys.
Erector Sets (TM)
Specimens.

Added entries:

Steinbach, A. D.
Smith, W. B.
Mysto Manufacturing Company.
A.C. Gilbert Company.

Holdings:

Location: Library main jouets et jeux 61122
Call No.: TS2301.T7.M4 M972 1914
Status: Available