Gong Bell
This article contributed by
Richard Mueller, Jr.
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Richard and Linda Mueller
with a few of their pull toys.
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Richard and Linda Mueller came by to exchange pull
toy information with Jim and me. We had a lot of fun looking through
catalogs and magazines! Richard is writing a comprehensive book on
vintage pull toys (1860-1960). His book, to be published next year, will
contain over 2,000 photos of pull toys from many manufacturers. I will
announce his publication date and how to purchase his book when this
information is available. Richard has one of the world's largest
collections of old pull toys. See some of his collection at: http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/thepulltoyprofessor/
Contact Richard
at: home1@rpmpizza.com
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History
The Gong Bell Manufacturing Co., was a maker of bells and toys.
Gong Bell was established as a partnership in 1866 by H. H. Abbe, E. C.
Barton, E. G. Cone and A. H. Conklin in East Hampton, Connecticut and was
incorporated under the laws of the state of Connecticut in April, 1899. They
made valuable and important inventions in gongs, bells and toys.
In 1872, Barton patented a toy called “Revolving Chimes” – “a
pair of cast brass gongs, mounted between two malleable iron wheels.”
This was the beginning of Gong Bell’s toy making history.
In the 1880’s, the “Chestnut Bell” became a popular craze all over
America. You attached the bell to
your coat lapel to warn someone that his or her story was a repeat.
The company also manufactured the first foot bell ever used on
automobiles.
After re-organization in 1921 – Gong Bell introduced one of
the most successful toys invented at the time. It was a toy telephone call
“Playphone 600” – a toy telephone with bell and movable receiver hook.
This was also the time Gong Bell started concentrating on its wooden toy future.
During World War II, Gong Bell also took on military contracts to make
hardware for parachutes. Gong Bell
received the Walt Disney contact to make Disney toys winning the contract from
the N. N. Hill Brass Co. in the 30’s who had the Disney license at that time.
There are several stories on why Gong Bell went out of business in the
60’s. One of the stories is
that with the introduction of plastic toys and other companies being more
prepared for this new toy making process – Gong Bell just could not compete.
Richard Mueller is an avid collector of Gong Bell and N. N.
Hill Brass toys. He is in the
process of developing a catalog to identify Gong Bell and N. N. Hill Brass toys.
He would appreciate any help with toys, company catalogs or any company
information you may have on these companies. He
may also be interested in purchasing toys from either company.
You can contact him at email: home1@rpmpizza.com.
He appreciates any help you may
have.
Identification
One characteristic of Gong Bell wooden pull toys is their
incorporation of some kind of a metal bell into the toy either as shown in the
Rabbit and Cart pull toy should with the rabbit holding a bell or the Galloping
Cowboy chime wheels. The characters are most generally lithographed on the toy
much like most Fisher Price toys.
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1930s Gong Bell Rabbit Cart
later version
Photo courtesy of Althea Willette of
The Original Antique Gallery of Hopkins MN |
Gong Bell Galloping Cowboy - likely
from the 1950s with its original
box shown below. |
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Cowboy photos courtesy of Don
Johnson |
Toy List
The following Gong Bell wooden toy list has been compiled from
auction data, catalogs, and collectors and is by no means complete. Photos
courtesy of Richard Mueller, Jr.
| Title |
Photo |
Description |
| Ride on Goose |
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|
| Red Head Duck |
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| Rabbit Cart |
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Two wheeled - rabbit with beanny hat walks cart. |
| Flapper Duck |
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| Flapper Duck Cart |
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| Flapper Rooster Cart |
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| Flapper Rooster |
|
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| Scrappy Band |
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|
| Bear |
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|
| Rooster Cart |
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|
| Granny Goose |
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|
| Fire Chief |
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Pull toy - red car with big silver bell on hood, marked
"chief" mouse-like character wearing red plastic fireman's hat |
| Fire Chief |
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|
| Horse Rider |
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Early version has wooden supports. Wooden platform, litho horse head. |
| Horse Rider |
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Later version has metal supports and wheels, Horse's head more modern
looking head. |
| Pudgy |
 |
4-wheeled pull toy with litho bear who rings bell with arms. Marked
"Pudgy" |
| Red car |
|
Red open car with long nosed head that goes up and down as toy is
pulled. Wooden wheels |
| Tug Boat |
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|
| Duck Cart |
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|
| Hen Cart |
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| Rabbit Cart |
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Old fashioned looking rabbit. 4-wheeled pull toy with bell. |
| Mother Duck |
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| Cat |
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| Cat Cart |
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| Ride on Train |
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| Trix Drummer |
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| Trix Train |
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| Horse Chime |
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| Ducky Chime |
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| Sulky Chime |
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| Two Bears |
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| Piano Mouse |
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| Two Elephants |
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| Race Cor |
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| Felix Firechief |
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