N.
N. Hill Brass Company
This article
contributed by
Richard Mueller, Jr.
History
Norman N. Hill began his career in the finishing department of the
Barton Bell company when he was eighteen years old.
Later he became a salesman for the company.
In January 1889, with a capital of $800, he started his own bell company
in a small room. Later his factory
became known as the largest plant in the world devoted to bells and toys.
He was the first to stamp steel bells rather than casting.
In 1912 the business was incorporated under the title, N. N. Hill Brass
Company, Inc. After receiving the
Walt Disney toy contract in the 30’s, their wooden toy manufacturing took over
the major production of their factory. Unfortunately,
as with Gong Bell, N. N. Hill Brass Company is no longer in business, making
their last toy in the early 1960’s. Some
of the most striking toys made in the 1930’s were N. N. Hill Brass Co.’s
Disney toys and toy telephones with Disney characters.
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 can give him
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