"Excelsior" pull toy

This object was once part of the folk art collection of Elie Nadelman (1882-1946), the avant-garde sculptor. From 1924 to 1934, Nadelman's collection was displayed in his Museum of Folk Arts, located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. The Historical Society purchased Nadelman's entire collection in 1937.

George W. Brown, the designer of this vessel, began his career as a clockmaker, adding toys to his repertoire in 1856. Brown’s pattern book, containing original toy designs rendered in watercolor, includes a sketch listed as "Giant riverboat ('Excelsior')." Penciled over the design for this ship is a large ‘X’, which may indicate that the toy was deemed too elaborate to be commercially viable. Indeed, it was never put into general production. The Nadelman example is one of only two “Excelsiors” known to have been made.

Designed to be used on dry land, the proportions and function of this boat are inconsistent with its real counterpart - there is no indication of an engine, or a walking-beam that would connect the smoke-stacks to a motive power.