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1895 Carl Adams Beetle in UK Box—Predecessor to Lehmann

Carl Adams was a genius toymaker and designer, but not much of a businessman. In 1893 he started a small tin toy factory in Germany producing ingenious and innovative toys, but his lending bank took over the company and sold it to Lehmann in 1898. Lehmann acquired the machinery, inventory and dies along with all patent rights. This toy was made and designed by Carl Adams but could have been produced or sold by Lehmann prior to Lehmann producing its own version of this toy using the Adams equipment. It has the Adams logo and the box art is quite unique. This special box is labeled “H.A.A. & S” of London and shows the character exclaiming “Whew! It crawls!” The beetle moves along in a realistic fashion flapping slowly its wings.

The Lehmann version which continued on for decades with its logo was designated as EPL 431.

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