The following treasure is from the living estate of Ailene & Buddy Ford; noted dealers and lifelong collectors of exceptional antique & vintage heirlooms The AEAA is proud to present this Bluebird Wood & Gas Stove , circa 1920 , by the well known toy company , Grey Iron. Largest green & cream ever made at 10 x 6.5 x 13.25 tall. Opening oven door, tilting firebox covers + 2 working gas valve handles 2 open doors **** GREY IRON CO **** Grey Iron began as the Wrightsville Hardware Company in 1881 to manufacture toys. In 1912, the company assumed the new name of the Grey Iron Casting Company and went into business on its own, based in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania. The company produced a wide array of iron banks and toys, including military miniatures. Their first iron banks were made in 1903, and they ceased bank production in 1925 – although they continued to sell from inventory for several years thereafter. The company’s 1928 catalog boasted that, “All of our banks have a slot large enough to accommodate a half-dollar or English penny”. It is on the basis of this boast that one may identify unmarked Grey Iron Company banks, for most have unusually long and irregularly shaped coin slots which accept half-dollars. Another identifying characteristic is the pattern irregularity with which their bank’s casting halves match up to form the object. John Wright of Wrightsville, Pennsylvania acquired the company, as well as many of its patterns, in 1969 and again began producing a number of the earlier banks.

XA - S5 - Excellent condition - minor paint wear