My Arcade Collection

Manufactured in Freeport, Ill., USA, Arcade Toys emphasized realism, although the use of painted cast iron for tables, benches and chairs (even over-stuffed chairs and sofas)  tested the limits of their slogan, "They look real." On the other hand, metal was appropriate for kitchen appliances. Made from 1925 to 1936,  Arcade furnishings are well designed in a larger than usual scale, 1:16 and marked on the bottom or back with the manufacturer's name embossed into the cast iron along with it part number.

My Arcade collection currently resides  here

To read about the Arcadian story book, click here

J & E Stevens Co. and More Cast Iron

This cast iron furniture is modeled after the J & E Stevens Co. cast iron Victorian parlor set.  I have not found a home for it yet.  It has been sitting in bubble wrap in a box on a shelf.  I like to get it out every once and a while and study it.  It is pretty crude, yet made to look intricate like the carved wood furniture of the time.  Maybe a room box?  J&E Stevens pieces were produced in Connecticut and date from the late 1800's.  This is most likely a reproduction.

I have two of these Victorian Settees.  They are cast iron and measure about 6-1/2" long.

This is a  Victorian Parlor chair and ottoman. 

These  parlor chairs and measure 4-1/2" tall.

I have a few of these victorian tables.  They measure 3" tall.

This parlor chair was a recent ebay find, to help complete my collection.

This cast iron baby cradle is similar to the Stevens cradle that date from the mid 1800's.  It is not marked so I do not know if it is one or not.

This is a tall cast iron grandfather clock.  I do not know much about it and I have not been able to find it in any of my research yet. 

This pot belly stove is labeled "Flying R Ranch" on the removable 'griddle' on the top.

I picked up this pot bellied stove at an antique store a few years ago.  I have no idea on the age, but I suspect it is probably a reproduction piece from the 1970's.

This cast iron stove is marked "ROYAL" on the door.  It was an ebay purchase and I believe at some point it was re-painted.  It has gas controls so it probably dates from the 1920's or 1930's.

Miscelaneous Finds

I will be the first one to tell you that I am not into ceramic kitties, however I cam across these guys at an estate sale and figured the $2.00 would be worth it.  The pail, spilled milk, and kittens are all made from ceramic, very tiny, and will add some character to a room at some point.

I have come accross a few of these 'reed' chairs in past seen them published in books.  I figured the price was right.  They were manufactured in Japan during the 1930's and will add a little 'shabby chic' to a mini room somewhere.

 These are part of a box set, sadly it is missing the toilet.  The tub, sink, and towel bar are part of a set manufactured by Jaymar and the furniture is called "Happy Hour Doll House Furniture"  also from the 1930's and I suspect the kitchen set below is from the same company, since I purchased them together.

My Temporary Arcade Home

I decided I would store my Arcade cast iron in the old dollhouse I bought at the estate sale a few months ago.  I mixed in a few of my extra Tynietoy pieces for scale.  The whole house it kind of taking on a blue motif.  The living Room / Music room hosts my latest Arcade Cast Iron find, a Cable Grand Piano.

The kitchen has some more modern pieces, the Arcade Cast Iron sink features a "Kohler" stamp on the front and has an 'electric' dishwasher.  The fridge was one of my restoration projects, you can see the state I found it in if you look back in my post form January.  I threw in a Tynietoy settle since it was blue.  The Arcade Cast Iron yellow piece is part of the the laundry room set.  This is a hotplate and boiling tub.

The Upstairs bedroom has a double bed, two night stands, a rocker and a side chair, all Arcade pieces.

The second story bathroom has 5 Arcade pieces, a toilet, sink, tub, shower base and a small stool that I recently painted white.

Scotch Serving Set

I recently aquired this serving set - honestly, I'm hoping it is worth more than I paid.. It will be showing up on Ebay soon.

$5 Tynietoy Chair

We were in Oklahoma City over the 3 day weekend,  We hit the zoo for the mrs and the mall for the kids and an antique mall for me!  I came across a single Tynietoy chair with a painted brown seat.  I had not seen brown before.  The leg was a little "chewed on" but in pretty good shape for five bucks.  Got to the register and even better, it was 25% off.  So its my cheapest Tynietoy find yet.

A Great Estate Sale Find

Front View

I happened upon an antique dollhouse today at an estate sale.  The house is made from large pieces of wood and nailed together.  The craftsmanship is great.  It measures about 30" high and each of the rooms are about 12" X 12" X12"

Chimney View

The paint needs some touch-up around the wood chimney and the windows have pieces of glass that are held in with tiny nails.  I may put some sort of wood grid over them

Rear View

 The back of the house is just plain- yet finished off nicely.  The roof and chimney paint have a nice crackled finish.

Second Floor

I love the linoleum floors.  I am going to have to do some research and figure out how old it actually is.  I am guessing from the 30's or 40's.