American Painted Cast Iron Old Salt Maine Fisherman Doorstop or Bookend,
Hubley Manufacturing Company,
The 1920s.
The two larger figures depict an old salt fisherman standing with a fishing net under his right arm. The smaller center figure depicts a fisherman with his hands in his pockets under his protective outer gear.
Reference: The Doorstop Book: The Encyclopedia of Doorstop Collecting (Schiffer Book for Collectors), John C. Smith, Page 247.
The Hubley Manufacturing Company was first incorporated in 1894 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania by John Hubley. The first Hubley toys appeared in 1909 and were made of cast-iron, with themes that ranged from horse-drawn vehicles and different breeds of dogs to tractors, steam shovels, and guns.
Hubley's casting process involved several steps. For a particular toy, bookend, or doorstop, metalworkers would first carve a wood form, or hammer out the basic design in metal. Pressing this form into finely compacted sand created an impression for molding. Cast iron heated to 3000 degrees was poured into the sand mold and, when cooled, the form would pop out. Rough edges would be filed away and the mold ready for mass production casting. Painters applied a base coat (usually white or cream but sometimes black) to cast figures whether toys or doorstops. Then, colorists used a variety of hues highlighting important details.
(Ref: VM98529)
Dealer | Earle D. Vandekar of Knightsbridge, Inc. |
Date: | 1920s-30s |
Origin | America |
Artist/Maker | Hubley Manufacturing Company |
Measurements | Dimensions: 6 3/4 inches high x 2 3/4 inches wide x 2 1/4 inches deep. |
Inventory | View Dealer's Inventory |
Website | http://vandekar.com |
Price | 225 |
Contact | Paul Vandekar, 212-308-2022 or info@vandekar.com |