A History of Toy Steam in Sweden
Here I will fill add various information about retailers, manufacturers and other stuff relating toy steam history in Sweden.
At the turn of the century, there was great interest in steam toys, and several Swedish manufacturers were active. Production continued until the First World War when a lack of materials made it difficult to continue. After the war, there seems to have been no production, likely due to competition from large German manufacturers. It wasn't until after the Second World War that several Swedish manufacturers resumed the production of steam engines. In the 1960's, the competition from Wilesco and Mamod once again turned out to be too strong.
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Table of contents
Swedish manufacturers at the beginning of the century, 1888-1920
Lars Nilsson, Lasstorp
One of the first, and certainly one of the largest in terms of technical expertise, was Lars Nilsson, who, during his active period between 1895 and 1916, manufactured a wide variety of different models. From a simple vertical oscillating model to steam locomotives and advanced steamships with a length of over a meter. He had his shop in Norrmalm, Stockholm, where he sold his toys during the Christmas month.
Lars Nilsson (born 1854, died 1942) traveled in his youth with his brother to Stockholm, where they jointly operated a firewood yard and sold split wood. He also had a workshop in Stockholm.
After a few years, he returned with his family to his hometown, where he manufactured steam engines, locomotives, and toy ships on his farm Lasstorp, Österåkers municipality in Sörmland. His daughter Selma painted the toys. He created his own molds, casting tools, and other tools, including a small lathe, and personally crafted all the details for the toys.
Lars Nilsson referred to himself as a Royal Court Supplier, although it is not verified. Perhaps he sold one or more toys to the royal court.
Through advertisements in several newspapers, it has been possible to trace how he rented spaces at different addresses in Stockholm. The store was open only during the Christmas month, from December 1st to December 24th each year.
- 1895 - 1897 Rådmansgatan 41
- 1898 - 1906 Döbelnsgatan 6
- 1907 - 1908 Birger Jarlsgatan 27
- 1909 Norrlandsgatan 15
- 1910 Birger Jarlsgatan 22
- 1911 Regeringsgatan 52
- 1912 Jakobsbergsgatan 6
- 1913 Regeringsgatan 54
- 1914 Norrlandsgatan 5
- 1915 Lasstorp
- 1916 Gref Turegatan 34A
Click here to see more of his production and history.
Carl Särenholm, Eskilstuna
Manufacturer Carl Särenholm from Eskilstuna is one of the early producers of small, high-quality steam engines. In 1898, these steam engines were sold through the wholesaler Gustaf Sylvén Jr from Eskilstuna, and from 1899 onwards, Albert Brunskog, also from Eskilstuna, took over the sales.
Carl Särenholm started his workshop in Eskilstuna around 1895. The company had its own premises at the corner of Strandgatan and Klostergatan. The factory expanded several times as the business grew.
Carl Särenholm had already begun working in the manufacturing industry at the age of twelve and continued with further education abroad, including in Germany and France.
The company initially focused on the production of drawing tools and other instruments, later transitioning to the manufacture of pressed items made of steel and metal. During the 1930s, Särenholm acquired Eskilstuna Våg- och Kassaskåpsfabrik, leading to business expansion and transformation into a joint-stock company.
Click here to see more of his production and history.
E.G. Olsson, Torp, Moheda
Erik Gustav Olsson began his professional career in 1880 as a precision mechanic at Munktells Mekaniska Verkstad in Eskilstuna. In 1883, he moved to Torps bruk in Småland, where he took a position at Torps Mekaniska Verkstad. In 1896, he started his own business, E.G. Olssons Mekaniska Verkstad. He obtained several patents, including those for egg box locks and suitcase handles.
Already in 1887 he manufactured miniature steam engines, which were sold through advertisements in daily newspapers. His range included about six different steam engines with prices ranging from 1.50 to 12 SEK. He continued producing his miniature steam engines with accompanying saws until his death in 1929.
In 1896, he received an honorary diploma for his miniature steam engine at the "Industrial and Handicraft Exhibition in Malmö." The following year, 1897, he participated in the "Art and Industry Exhibition in Stockholm," where he showcased a small wood lathe alongside the miniature steam engine. For this, he received a bronze medal and a diploma signed by Crown Prince Gustav. The diplomas are held by 'Alvesta Järn- och Metallförädling AB', founded in 1938 by the son of Erik Gustav alongside five additional employees.
During the years from 1906 until 1923, the steam engines are sold by his brothers workshop, Alfred Olssons Verkstad, Moheda.
Click here här to see more of his production and history.
Postwar Swedish manufacturers, 1945-1960
Following WWII there was a need for toys. With large parts of Europe still in ruins, there were opportunities for Swedish workshops to manufacture steam engines for the domestic market.
ADE, Insjön
Perhaps the most successful manufacturer of steam engines was August Danielsson from Insjön in Dalarna with his company ADE. He had started his company in 1914 with the manufacture of electrical products and later also toy motors. In 1947 he begins to manufacture a steam engine, followed a few years later by a locomobile and a tractor, all based on the same boiler and machine. He also had a patent on the machine part that was of oscillatory type with forward and reverse time.
The sale was made partly in its own bazaar adjacent to the factory, but most were sold through Clas Ohlsson, from the same small town as ADE. ADE also made a model for the retailer Eskader in Stockholm.
The company had at most around 5-6 people employed and was active in the 60's when it was closed down due to age reasons.
Click here to see more of ADE production and history.
Alga steam turbine
Alga, best known for its steam engine, John Ericsson, had previously produced a steam turbine. It was designed by S. Berggren for Alga and sold through the mail order company, HobbyFörlaget i Borås, around 1950. However, it did not become a major success as the entire lot was discounted to a quarter of the price just a year later.
Click here for more information about Alga.
Bröderna Fernström, Stockholm
A rather unknown manufacturer is brothers Fernström from Stockholm. They made a simple horizontal machine with oscillating cylinder. The fire house has a painted brick imitation. Their engines could be found in the 1946 christmas advertisment from Swedish retailer Nordiska Kompaniet.
The workshop was sold in 1949.
EHÅ-Fabriken, Tranås
A manufacturer that I still have very little information about os the EHÅ factory from Tranas, founded by E. hall. He was active between 1947 and 1955, and made a steam-powered train. It is likely that he also made a number of steam engines that were sold through Clas Ohlsson, Wentzel and others. He might also be the manufacturer behind PUB steam engine. The machines are simple made and are usually painted in a green textured paint. I have yet to find any documentation that ties these steam engines to the EHÅ factory why this information is still uncertain. Apparently there was another toy manufacturer based in Tranas that may have been manufacturer of steam engines.
Lemeco, Hägersten, Örbyhus
Lemeco founded in 1948 by Rune Heurlen. They resided in Hagersten, a suburb to Stockholm, until sometime in the early 1960s when they moved to Örbyhus in Uppland.
In the catalog of 1950 is a steam engine and various accessories in the form of simple machine tools and electric motors. The accessories and electric motors are also seen with the name Selka. It is unclear if this is the same company or if these were sold off to another company. Lemeco is otherwise best known for their plastic toy cars and board games.
Machinator, Lidingö
Machinator based on Lidingö outside Stockholm was active between 1945-52.
PAF - Made in Sweden
Probably active during the late 1940s and 1950s. In addition to the machine to the right they also produced a simple oscillating machine with base in sheet metal.
E.R.A. Mekaniska Verkstäder AB
During the years around 1951-1952, several advertisements appeared regarding the sale of a larger number of toy steam machines. The manufacturer was E.R.A. Mekaniska Verkstäder AB in Stockholm, which, due to other activities, sold off its inventory and manufacturing tools for toy steam engines.
As a curiosity, it can be mentioned that in January 1955, the steamship Gustavsberg II was purchased at a price of 900 SEK, only to be sold again six months later in exchange for 30 spot welding units.
Unknown maker #1
A steam engine which might be Swedish made, although I have not found any references to it. One odd feature is that it has no safety valve, instead it has a threaded screw in the chimney that is used to fill water. It is probably not a scratch built as I have two different examples of it.
Unknown maker #2
This steam engine was sold by Clas Ohlsson 1947-48 both as a finished machine and as a kit. I have not found any additional information on the manufacturer, but it may very well be Swedish made.
Unknown maker #3
This steam engine was sold by Clas Ohlsson 1950-51 both as a finished machine and as a kit. I have not found any additional information on the manufacturer, but it may very well be Swedish made.
The last Swedish toy steam engine?
In 1975 the Alga John Ericsson is introduced to the Swedish market. To my knowledge no attempts have been made to manufacture toy steam engines in Sweden later than this. Today all commercial toy steam engines are imported from Wilesco and Mamod. There is also the more hobby-like machines from Stuart in England and Saito in Japan.
Alga
In 1975, with a market that is largely dominated by the two major manufacturers, Wilesco and Mamod, the Swedish company Alga launched its own steam engine named after the great inventor John Ericsson. The machine is built with safety in mind, and despite an interesting design it had difficulties competing with the others. The production ends a few years later. The machine is available in Clas Ohlson catalog from 1977-78 at a price of 210 SEK.
In addition to the steam engine they also made some accessories in the form of a grinder, a lathe and a transmission.
Click here to see more about Alga and John Ericsson.
The First Resellers During the Period 1880-1900
The story begins around 1880 when the first toy steam engines for commercial use start to be manufactured in Germany, primarily in the German toy city of Nuremberg. These steam engines find their way to Sweden through importers.
F. Gustavson, Gothenburg
One of the earliest importers of steam engines appears to have been F. Gustavson in Gothenburg. Already in 1888, a range of steam engines was offered with prices ranging from 5 SEK up to 100 SEK, which were significant amounts for that time. Despite this, the sales success seems to have been lacking, as just two years later, they started to sell off parts of the assortment, including steam engines. Unfortunately, no images are available for the steam engines, only text-based descriptions exist.
Numa Peterson, Stockholm
Stockholm also had their retailers as Numa Peterson, who already in 1878 had steam engines in their assortment. The catalogue from 1889 shows a huge assortment of steam engines from Ernst Plank in Nuremberg
Numa Peterson began as a pharmacist in Vadstena in 1874 before he left the profession to engage in business activities. He was technically minded and had a large store at Hamngatan in Stockholm, where he sold photographic items as well as toys and phonographs. In addition to this, he had also a major sale of chemical and physical devices and medical equipment. Numa Peterson also manufactured cameras and other technology products, including taxi meters for the first cabs. The company became the purveyor around 1890 and opened several shops in Stockholm. At Numas' death in 1902 it was taken over by his son Mortimer and was declared bankrupt years later in 1911.
Numa Peterson catalogue 1889
Numa Peterson catalogue 1909
Joseph Leja, Stockholm
Joseph Leja, who later became Nordiska Kompaniet, included steam engines from Ernst Plank in its catalogs from the end of the last century.
Images from Joseph Leja's catalog 1896-97.
C.F. Arwidssons, Gothenburg
Another early importer of steam engines were C. F. Arwidssons, also from Gothenburg. The catalogue from 1892 shows a number of steam engines that were probably made by Schoenner in Nuremberg, Germany. The same range of steam engines is also found in the price cataloge for 1894-95.
Below are pictures from the catalogue from 1892.
Albert Brunskog, Eskilstuna
In the latter part of the 1890s, Albert Brunskog from Eskilstuna had a range of steam engines, including products from, among others, Carl Särenholm, also from Eskilstuna. Unfortunately, Albert Brunskog faced financial difficulties and was declared bankrupt in 1904 as a wholesaler.
Otto Grahns Pappershandel, Lund
Otto Grahn established as early as 1886. In the Christmas catalog from 1898 are a number of steam engines. These seem to be of German origin, and then probably made of Schoenner in Nuremberg.
Hobby and specialist stores
Forsners Fotografiska Magasin, Stockholm
Despite the name, Forsners Photographic Magazine also had a really wide range of technical articles and mechanical toys. The company opened in Stockholm in 1902 and was active until 1933/34 when the toy department formed their own company, Mekanex (see below). The catalog from 1911 contains over 50 different steam engine variants imported from the German manufacturers, Bing, Joseph Falk and Carette. Prior Christmas they had large ads in the big Swedish newspapers.
Mekanex, Stockholm
When Forsner closed their business in 1933/34, a new company was founded based on the toy department. This new company, Mekanex, became one of the biggest toy stores in Stockholm and finally went out of business in 1965.
Hasselblad-Scholanders, Stockholm
Other photographic resellers also had toys in their repertoire. In an advertisement in the Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet from the time around 1910 Hasselblad Scholander draws attention to its Christmas exhibition in Stockholm.
Eskader, Stockholm
A classic shop with regard to steam engines are Eskader in central Stockholm. They opened up already in 1931 and sold their first steam engine in 1933. In addition to being retailers they have also developed a couple of models, including an ADE machine designed for use in boat models. Even today there have a large assortment of steam engines, mainly from Stuart, Wilesco and Mamod.
Wentzels, Stockholm
Wentzel was established in 1934 and is mainly associated with model model building, trains, airplane, ship models, toy soldiers etc. In 1950 they did however also have some steam toys in their assortment.
The department stores and mail order companies
Åhlen & Holm
The department store Åhlen & Holm was founded in 1899 in Insjön by Johan Petter Åhlén and Erik Holm. Åhlen & Holm quickly became a successful company and is known for its wide range of products and accessibility to the public. During the 20th century, Åhlen & Holm offered a comprehensive selection of toys, including mechanical toys and steam engines.
In the catalog from 1909, there are four different steam engines, probably of German origin. The catalog there are also dynamobiles and even an automobile from the German maker Hess. Even later catalogs contain a small assortmenr of steam engines from German manufacturers.
Nordiska Kompaniet
The department store NK (Nordiska Kompaniet) was founded in 1902 in Stockholm by Josef Sachs. NK quickly became an exclusive department store and is known for its luxurious range and high-quality goods, including toys. During the 20th century, NK offered a wide range of exclusive toys, including mechanical and educational toys.
Among the steam engines is NK's own steam engine, of the oscillating type and relatively large. The base plate was made of Masonite.
PUB
The department store PUB (Paul U. Bergström) was founded in 1882 in Stockholm by Paul U. Bergström. PUB quickly became a popular department store and is particularly known for its wide range of goods, including toys. During the 20th century, PUB had an extensive selection of steam engines and other mechanical toys. One of the unique products was "PUBs Ångmaskin," a steam engine sold under the store's own name.
Clas Ohlson, Insjön
The mail order company, Clas Ohlson was established in Insjön in 1918. They have had steam engines in its range for a long time, and even today they sell Wilesco steam engines. During the 1930s they imported German steam engines from among others Doll & Co. From the late 1940s to the early 1960's there were several different models from the Swedish manufacturers, mainly ADE who was also from Insjön. The Swedish machines were replaced by mainly Wilesco in the early 1960s, which is also visible on the front of the catalog with a range of Wilesco machines.
Hobbyförlaget, Borås
Another mail-order company that sold steam engines and other hobby items was Hobbyförlaget i Borås. It was established around 1944 and operated until 1971. Steam engines were part of the product range until approximately 1950.
An interesting detail in the later steam engines was that they had a built-in safety feature to protect against dry boiling, something I have never seen in any other steam engine.
Okapi, Stockholm
The wholesale company Okapi in Stockholm primarily focused on toys and hobby items, which they sold through mail order. In the 1948-49 catalog, there are five different steam engines, of which Nr.807 was manufactured by Bröderna Fernström, while the others are of unknown make.