Draft:Henry Katz and Company

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Henry Katz and Company was an American toy company, founded in the early 1900s, based in New York, that made inexpensive toy trains and planes,[1] including wind-up mechanical table top toys, all from lithographed tin. They embarked in the manufacturing business from 1928 to 1931 and were known for their one dollar special; the "515 Limited" NYC boxcab electric train.[2] Their primary toy center office was at 200 Fifth Avenue with a factory at 215 Fourth Ave.

Eventually the toy manufacturing business grew enough to have five associated locations. The main plant was at 330 Chestnut Street, Newark, New Jersey. Various other plants were located in Girard, Pennsylvania, Waterbury and Forestville, Connecticut, and a business office in Manhattan at 215 Fourth Avenue.[3] After 1931, Katz branched out as a toy broker and company representative for various toy manufacturers. At times he ventured into toy design and production for these companies and after some time, purchased Buddy L Toys.

History[edit]

In 1917, toymaker Ferdinand Strauss hired Henry Katz, a future toy designer at age 14, and friend of Louis Marx. Although Katz spent much time in the production process, he preferred the sales end of the toy business. He was active with the Strauss company until its demise, after which he started his own business.[4]

Katz became a toy broker and representative for many companies and sometimes ventured into toy design and production for these companies.[5] A few of these associated toy companies are Mattatuck Manufacturing Company, Hafner Manufacturing Company, Hoge Manufacturing Company [6], Automatic Toy Company and the Buddy L Corporation, which he ended up purchasing from the Molene Manufacturing Company in 1941.[7] Katz took Buddy L through the restricted materials war years by making wooden Buddy L Victory Toys. After WWII, Katz resumed regular production of Buddy L steel toys. In 1980 Katz retired and his son, Richard L. Keats, assumed the position of President of Buddy L Toys and the Buddy L Corporation of New York.[8]

References[edit]

  1. ^ O'Brien 1997, pp. 619.
  2. ^ Mallerich 1990, pp. 277.
  3. ^ "Henry Katz/Katz & Co. Toy Trains". www.tcawestern.org. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  4. ^ "Henry Katz/Katz & Co. Toy Trains". www.tcawestern.org. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  5. ^ Doyle 1993, pp. 82.
  6. ^ Prisant 2003, pp. 189.
  7. ^ "Hoge Manufacturing Co". www.tcawestern.org. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  8. ^ "Henry Katz/Katz & Co. Toy Trains". www.tcawestern.org. Retrieved 2024-04-04.

  • Doyle, Paul, Maryland (1993). Greenberg's Early American Toy Trains. Greenberg Publishing. ISBN 0-89778-230-5.
  • Mallerich III, Dallas (1990). Greenberg's American Toy Trains. Greenberg Publishing. ISBN 0-87069-579-7.
  • O'Brien, Richard. Collecting Toys - Identification and Value Guide, 8th Edition. Krause Publications, 1997. ISBN 0-89689-123-2
  • Prisant, Carol. Antiques Roadshow Collectibles: The Complete Guide to Collecting 20th Century Glassware, Costume Jewelry, Memorabila, Toys and More From the Most-Watched Show on PBS, Workman Publishing Company, 2003. ISBN 0-761128220

Category:Toy companies established in 1928 Category:Toy companies of the United States Category:Toy train manufacturers Category:Defunct toy manufacturers Category:Defunct manufacturing companies based in New York City

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