Vintage Pre-War Tootsietoy No. 4651 Fageol Safety Coach Bus Group (4) - Orange Blue Red 1927-1933

Details

Description

Presenting an exceptional pre-war group of four (4) authentic Tootsietoy No. 4651 Fageol Safety Coach buses, manufactured by Dowst Manufacturing … Read more Presenting an exceptional pre-war group of four (4) authentic Tootsietoy No. 4651 Fageol Safety Coach buses, manufactured by Dowst Manufacturing Co. in Chicago between 1927 and 1933. Cast in heavy slush-molded zinc alloy, these iconic 3.5-inch transit vehicles capture the early Streamline era of American transportation in a vibrant primary color palette featuring two orange variants, one powder blue, and one crimson red.

Each example retains its original single-piece nickel-plated disc wheels mounted on steel wire axles with solid mushroom-crimped ends, rolling smoothly across all four chassis. Three of the buses carry the crisp, raised "TOOTSIE TOY" factory mark cast directly into the underside ceiling bed, while the fourth orange example displays the smooth interior casting variation characteristic of early production runs. Displaying honest, unaltered play-wear with original cold-enamel paint edge-chipping and a light, historic age patina, this complete multi-color group offers an instant display-ready collection for the discerning pre-war diecast enthusiast or vintage industrial decor collector.

Historical Provenance & Design Significance: Introduced in 1927 by Dowst Manufacturing Co., the No. 4651 Fageol Safety Coach represents one of the earliest scale-modeled bus diecasts in American toy manufacturing history. Modeled directly after the revolutionary intercity Fageol Safety Coach buses of the 1920s, these pieces capture early industrial Streamline/Art Deco automotive motifs in pure slush-cast zinc.

Curator's Note: A charming trio of primary-hued industrial artifacts, these pre-war miniature buses offer outstanding graphic appeal when styled in group arrangements. Perfect as desktop architectural curios, bookshelf vignettes, or framed Shadowbox display accents for modern mid-century or vintage industrial interiors.

Item Specifics
Manufacturer: Dowst Manufacturing Co. (Tootsietoy), Chicago, IL, USA

Model Number: No. 4651 / No. 110 Series

Age/Era: Circa 1927–1933 (Pre-WWII)

Material: Diecast Zinc Alloy (Slush Molded Metal / White Metal) with Nickel-Plated Steel Wheels & Steel Wire Axles

Dimensions: Approximately 3.5" L × 1.0" W × 1.25" H each

Weight: 281 grams total (combined for 4 buses)

Color Variants Included: Two (2) Orange, One (1) Powder Blue, One (1) Crimson Red

Reference Literature: Tootsietoy: Automotive Toys, General Series & Other Lines by David Richter (Collector Books, p. 48–52); also referenced in Schiffer's Cast Iron & Slush Mold Toys reference guides.

Authenticity Assessment This set of four pre-war diecast buses displays distinct manufacturing markers consistent with authentic Dowst Manufacturing Co. (Tootsietoy) production from the 1927–1933 era. Three of the four casting undersides feature raised, integral "TOOTSIE TOY" block-letter markings molded directly into the zinc alloy ceiling bed. All four examples retain original single-piece nickel-plated steel disk wheels mounted on thin solid steel wire axles, with characteristic mushroom-crimp end caps. The body castings show appropriate mold lines, open passenger window apertures, and a detailed front radiator grille modeling the iconic Fageol Safety Coach motif. Paint across all four pieces displays authentic age-appropriate play wear, edge micro-chipping, surface oxidation, and minimal lead-free/slush-zinc degradation—confirming original factory cold-applied enamel finish with no modern repainting or reproduction components. See less