This exceptional, highly collectible cast iron toy is the scarce Hubley Manufacturing Company "Royal Circus Bear Cage Wagon" finished in its highly sought-after, vivid orange color palette. Produced in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, this horse-drawn multi-piece assembly features a beautifully detailed caged circus trailer with "ROYAL CIRCUS" cast in raised lettering along both sides of the roofline.

The complete ensemble consists of the vibrant orange wagon body, a removable rear red-painted entry gate, a solid cast brown bear, a cast iron driver figure, and a matching pair of galloping black-painted draft horses hitched to a bright yellow double-tree chassis and four spoked yellow wheels.

Technical Specifications & Details

• Origin: Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA

• Manufacturer: Hubley Manufacturing Company

• Age: Circa 1910

• Material: Painted Cast Iron

• Dimensions: 5.25" Tall x 9" Long (Assembled)

Weights:

• Bear Figure: 123 grams

• Driver Figure: 37 grams

• Horses & Wagon Assembly: 619 grams

Provenance:

1. The Olshefski Collection (via RSL Auction Company)

2. Private Auction House Acquisition

Condition Assessment

This toy is in remarkably sound, entirely complete, and all-original antique condition:

• Paint & Finish: Displays authentic, uniform age-appropriate play wear with expected micro-chipping and minor paint loss along the high points, cage bars, and wheels. The factory orange, yellow, black, and red japanned/lacquered pigments remain exceptionally vibrant.

• Structural Integrity: No structural cracks, breaks, welds, or hidden repairs are present or noticed anywhere on the castings. The rear red gate installs securely, and the axles remain straight, allowing the toy to roll smoothly.

Authenticity Assessment

An examination of the casting seams, gate tolerances, and surface textures establishes this piece as a genuine antique production. The surface exhibits a authentic, tight iron grain structure completely free of the grainy, pitted sand mold textures typical of modern recast counterfeits. Furthermore, the assembly hardware, tight-fitting interlocking tabs, and the smooth, honest wear patterns on the original factory-applied lead paints match all known hallmarks of authentic early 20th-century Hubley foundry craftsmanship.

Reference

This historic toy line is thoroughly documented in standard antique reference material:

• Book Title: Cast Iron Toys

• Author: Robert Merriam

• Page Reference: Page 73 / Related Hubley Royal Circus Index Entries (See also: "American Antique Toys" by Bernard Barenholtz, Hubley Circus Division entries).

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Item Description and Condition Disclaimer

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