Attributed to Schöenner, German, Nuremberg, live-steam tricy...
Attributed to Schöenner, German, Nuremberg, live-steam tricycle with seated driver, early 20th century, c.1905–1925, an unusual self-propelled live-steam tricycle, rather than a stationary engine mounted decoratively on wheels, the construction is ingenious, a vertical brass boiler sits over the spirit-burner firebox, with the steam engine mounted behind and its motion transmitted mechanically to the rear axle, while the seated painted driver and single front wheel give the appearance of an early motor tricycle, rare and highly characterful miniature self-propelled steam tricycle, constructed principally in tinplate, steel and brass, comprising a vertically mounted cylindrical brass boiler above a pierced black-painted firebox containing the removable spirit burner, boiler is fitted with a tall tubular chimney and small pressure or filling fitting to the upper plate, with curved steam pipe leading to the compact engine mounted behind, the engine drives a small flywheel and associated linkage, transmitting motion to the pair of large spoked rear road wheels, to the front is a single small spoked steering wheel carried on a long fork and fitted with a transverse handlebar, above is a shaped metal saddle carrying a painted seated driver, dressed in mustard-coloured coat and trousers with dark shoes and blue cap, approximately 210 mm long × 70 mm wide × 165 mm high.* Literature: The exposed tubular frame and long steering arrangement give the toy the appearance of one of the pioneering steam- and motor-tricycles of the late nineteenth and very early twentieth centuries, making it considerably more unusual than the conventional traction engines produced for the contemporary steam-toy market.** Similar model, sold Bertoia Auctions, May 2026, lot 47.
[ translate ]Attributed to Schöenner, German, Nuremberg, live-steam tricycle with seated driver, early 20th century, c.1905–1925, an unusual self-propelled live-steam tricycle, rather than a stationary engine mounted decoratively on wheels, the construction is ingenious, a vertical brass boiler sits over the spirit-burner firebox, with the steam engine mounted behind and its motion transmitted mechanically to the rear axle, while the seated painted driver and single front wheel give the appearance of an early motor tricycle, rare and highly characterful miniature self-propelled steam tricycle, constructed principally in tinplate, steel and brass, comprising a vertically mounted cylindrical brass boiler above a pierced black-painted firebox containing the removable spirit burner, boiler is fitted with a tall tubular chimney and small pressure or filling fitting to the upper plate, with curved steam pipe leading to the compact engine mounted behind, the engine drives a small flywheel and associated linkage, transmitting motion to the pair of large spoked rear road wheels, to the front is a single small spoked steering wheel carried on a long fork and fitted with a transverse handlebar, above is a shaped metal saddle carrying a painted seated driver, dressed in mustard-coloured coat and trousers with dark shoes and blue cap, approximately 210 mm long × 70 mm wide × 165 mm high.* Literature: The exposed tubular frame and long steering arrangement give the toy the appearance of one of the pioneering steam- and motor-tricycles of the late nineteenth and very early twentieth centuries, making it considerably more unusual than the conventional traction engines produced for the contemporary steam-toy market.** Similar model, sold Bertoia Auctions, May 2026, lot 47.
[ translate ]
