New pics of toy Wolverine washer

[bradross]

Hello,
For those interested, I've posted some pics of a new toy acquired thru eBay - a vintage Wolverine washer. If anybody has knowledge of the range of years these were available, please feel free to comment. I'm thinking it's probably from the late '50s/early '60s.

Unfortunately, the lid is cracked and the wooden knob is missing from the crank, but other than that, it's in great shape.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/44623676@N05/

 

[kenmore58]

Hey Brad,

Great ebay find. I have an extensive collection of toy washers. I have the same machine in my collection, along with the battery powered "electric" version. I also have the same hand crank model in avocado and coppertone. You are correct about the age (late '50's, early '60's). I even have a picture of me at an early age playing with the exact same toy, which I have received for Christmas.

I'll try to get some pictures posted of my toys.

Enjoy!

Ron

 

[laundromat]

1961-1964

When I was 4 (1960)I got one of these from Santa and had it until my brother put a pile of dirt in it with his Tonnka steam shovel and ruiined it. Of course, my Dad, who hated my Mom for getting it for me threw it away.I found another one in Tauney Town? , MD.in mint shape for $4 back in '87 and it was on show at the Cooper Hewitt back in '93. Great toy that actualy works.I also had the FRIGIDAIRE waiste high set Wolverine made in '62The washer,refrigerator,range and sink. All in pink. All Imperials

 

[bradross]

Childhood memories ...

Ah, yes, the grief some of us boys had growing up with our toy washers! Often wondered why my mother and grandmother indulged me with such toys - but glad they did! Fortunately my emotionally-absent father couldn't care less and said nothing about it. Oooops....is that my "out loud" voice?

Anyway, after the grief I endured as a child when the entire school found out I played with "girls' toys", it's sure great to meet other men with similar stories and interests!

 

[bobbins]

I too have a small collection of these gems...when I was a kid I always wanted a toy washing machine - I never got one. However, when I was about 8 my dad brought home a 1964 Kenmore washer for me to play with instead! I had a 12'x8' playhouse and I spend hours in there playing with my Kenmore Washer. The power cord was cut off - however I managed to rig the garden hose to it and able to fill it up...overflow it....such wonderful memories!

Bob

 

[drewz]

The Gifts That Keep On Giving!

New June 1961 Frigidaire Imperial Washer-Dryer
Aqua Wolverine Washer-Dryer
Pink Electric Washer

 

[drewz]

And Giving!

Never Used.

 

[maytagmike]

toy collection

I have many toy washers in my washer collection, boy would I love to get my hands on one of those Frigidaire toy washers. I guess I have 25 to 30 in the collection now.

 

[bradross]

That toy Frigidaire - wow!

I have never before seen one of those - fantastic! I would have definitely wanted one of those. With that hand crank, it would have saved a lot of $$ on d-cell batteries for the Suzy Homemaker!

Can you tell us which toy company made it? And also the working mechanism? I assume the crank makes the agitator go up and down like the real thing. Does the wash drum spin as well?

 

[drewz]

Brad,

Yes, One Knob does function and makes it change from wash (up & down like the real thing) and the spin cycle. (other knob is just a dummy knob that turns. Unit is fully functional as it was just taken out of its original box and assembled four years ago. It is a RITE HITE toy from The Wolverine Company in Pittsburgh, PA, box & instructions were stamped June 1961.

Some units were made with the Wolverine Logo under the washer-dryer on the front however this production only has washer-dryer on front less the Wolverine Logo.