Free Appraisals ~ Your Buddy L Toys Could Be Worth A Small Fortune!
Free Appraisals ~ Buddy L Museum helping collectors since 1968. Paying 50%-85% more than antique dealers, eBay & toy shows Antique Buddy L toys & Buddy L trains wanted for immediate purchase Highest prices paid
Welcome to the www.vintagebuddyltoys.com website one of many sites created by the Buddy L Museum foundation for the preservation and understanding of pressed steel toys. The Buddy L Museum is also the world's largest buyer of 1920's and 1930's Buddy L Toys, Buddy L Trains and all Buddy L Trucks manufactured in North America. Presently our museum is seeking to purchase any 1925-1937 Buddy L coal truck, 1926-1936 yellow Buddy L ice truck or 1924-1936 Buddy L fire truck Your antique toy trucks could be worth several thousand dollars email us for more information. Helping collectors for almost half a century Buddy L Museum's expertise also extends to Sturditoy trucks as well as Keystone toy trucks Whether you have an prewar Sturditoy dump truck, early Buddy L steam shovel or set of Keystone toy trains contact us before selling any of your toys Buddy l Museum pays more for original toys trucks and old Buddy L trains than anybody in the country. Or if you just need help identifying your 1920's or 1930's Buddy L toys send a photo, contact number and current email address. To view your favorite early Buddy L trains browse our several photo galleries located throughout the website Presently seeking to buy any Buddy L bus in good or better condition. Various Keystone Toy Trucks are also on display, click on any of the highlighted links to see your favorite Keystone toys See our newest find a rare Buddy L steam shovel with operating chute and door
Free Appraisals
Buddy "L" toys are manufactured by the Moline Pressed Steel Company in East Moline, Illinois. The company was founded in 1910 by Fred A Lundhal and originally manufactured automobile fenders and other stamped auto body parts for the automobile industry. for its trucks. Today the Buddy L "Red Baby" is one of the most sought antique toy trucks in the world of Buddy L toy collectors
Moline Pressed Steel did not begin manufacturing toys until 1921. The late Mr. Lundhal wanted to create something new, different, and durable for his son Arthur (Buddy L). He proceeded to designed and produce an all-steel miniature truck, reportedly a model of an International Harvester Truck made from 18 and 20 gauge steel which had been discarded to the company's large scrap pile.
The other kids in the neighborhood loved the toy so much they got their parents to request Mr. Lundhal make similar toys for them. The demand made Mr. Lundhal consider manufacturing toys for the toy trade. He designed and produced 3 samples of all steel toys under the name Buddy "L" The name Buddy "L" came from his son, Arthur, who was known in the neighborhood as Buddy "L", to distinguish him from another Buddy in the same neighborhood It would be another 3 years before the Buddy L Ice truck and the Buddy L Coal truck would be produced. During the next decade several variations of Buddy L trains and trucks would be available
Mr. Lundhal took his samples to the 1922 New York Toy Fair and received a lukewarm reception. Toy buyers thought the prices were too high; however, the toys became noted for their size and quality and toy sales took off. Therefore, Mr Lundhal went ahead and launched the first large American pressed-steel toys - Buddy L. Within 2 years the Sturditoy and Keystone toy co. were born.
The toy business prospered so much that by 1923, Moline Pressed Steel co stopped fabricating full-size auto parts in favor of toys By 1925 the toy line expanded to 20 items, including fire engines, moving vans, tanker trucks, lumber trucks, overhead cranes and sand loaders. The large Buddy L fire truck and working Buddy L steam shovel were the two most popular trucks among consumers
In 1926, the fabulous "Outdoor Railroad" train appeared. It was soon followed by ice trucks, coal trucks, tug boats, airplanes and a bus. Highly detailed and functional construction toys were also introduced, including some of the most desirable Buddy L toys ever manufactured. Today a Buddy L bus and black Buddy L coal truck can command upwards of 3 thousand dollars in good condition
In 1930 the name of the company was changed to Buddy "L" Manufacturing Company. The toys underwent some improvements to make them more realistic The Junior line of trucks and toys were introduced with the popular being the red Jr Buddy L dump truck continued as the leader of large pressed steel toys up until World War II. Because steel was unavailable at that time, a line of wooden cars and trucks was produced. After world war two, Buddy L continued to manufacture toys; however, it was never the same as before as toy manufacturers began making plastic toys The Buddy L toy Museum will continue to carry on the tradition of preserving antique Buddy L Toys and Buddy L trains so future generations will can witness toy making at it's finest moment in time
Sturditoy catalogs wanted along with all toy truck and toy train advertising materials printed by the Buddy L factory or original Keystone toy truck company of Boston. Free appraisals offered on all old Buddy L Toys. Visit our photo galleries of rare toy trucks, see an early blue Sturditoy dump truck along with a beautiful antique Sturditoy Wrecker. Also displayed is an original 1928 Buddy L Bus alongside the rare Sturditoy police patrol. The Buddy L Museum is the world's leading authority on prewar Steelcraft toy trucks, Sturditoy toy trucks and all big Keystone toys manufactured before 1939 Contact us if you have a black Sturditoy coal truck or prewar Sturditoy fire truck for sale. Consistently paying 45%-85% more than antique dealers, ebay or private collectors. Your large Buddy L Fire Truck or Sturditoy Dump Truck could be valuable, fill out our web user for details
1920's toy trucks with excellent original paint needed the Buddy L Museum's main floor exhibit, if you're thinking selling your 1930's or earlier Buddy L toy trains or trucks contact our secretary with a list of your Buddy L, Sturditoy and Keystone Toys available. The www.vintagebuddyltoys.com website is one of several Buddy L Museum creations designed to enhance the enjoyment of Buddy L collectors worldwide Always paying up to $2500 for Keystone toy trucks in excellent 10 plus condition
Always interested in buying single toys or entire collections. Buddy L prices are determined by rarity and condition. If you need help grading your vintage Buddy L Trains or Keystone toy trucks send two photos of each toy requiring an evaluation