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KEYSTONE MANUFACTURING Co.

Keystone Manufacturing Company

Boston, Massachusetts

1919-1960

Founders: Edward Swartz, J. M. Welsman, Isadore Marks and Benjamin Marks

 Keystone Manufacturing Company was founded in 1919 to produce moving picture machines.  Interestingly, at the time Isadore and Benjamin Marks were the president and treasurer, respectively, of the Marks Brothers Company, which had been in the toy business since 1911.  In 1924, Keystone started their line of pressed steel toys, for which it is best known.  The line of toys was modeled after the Packard trucks of the day and featured the Packard logo on the grill.  In 1932, Keystone introduced a line of pressed steel “Ride ‘Em” vehicles of which the mail plane is the most recognized. 

Keystone began producing wooden toys in the 1930s with the acquisition of Jacrim Manufacturing Company, another local Boston toy company.  Isadore and Benjamin Marks had a controlling interest in Jacrim since 1926, only four years after Jacrim was founded.  Keystone Manufacturing would continue producing film equipment, pressed steel and wooden toys until 1953 when the company was divided.  Keystone Manufacturing produced the film equipment and pressed steel toys while Keystone Wood Toys handled all of the wooden and “tekwood” toys.  In 1954, the company would split again forming the Keystone Camera Company and Keystone Manufacturing Company, which continued to produce the pressed steel toys.  Keystone Wood Toys ceased production in January 1958 and Keystone Manufacturing continued on until 1960.  In 1965, Keystone Camera Company was purchased by Berkley Photo and in 1967 was moved from the Boston location, thus ending the existence of the Keystone Manufacturing Company.

Derrick Clow
collectingkeystone.com

Keystone toy list by Richard Mueller

Wood-Truck
c. 1950
11.5"L x 3.5"H x 2.75"W
$30 - $40

Aircraft-Carrier
#219
c. 1950
15.5"Lx7.25"Hx3.7"W
$30-$40

Hand-Car
c. 1950
10"L x 5"H x 4.5"W
$135 - $180

Fireman Mickey
17.5"L x 5.5"H x 3"W

“Mickey” Mouse with Cymbals

Estimated 1950
7.75”L x 9.5”H x 4.5”W
$180 - $240

 "Tot" Railroad

Tot Railroad Train Set
1951
12"L x 1.25"H x 1.25"W
$30 - $40; Box $20 - $30

Shootin' Frontier Set

Mosquito C-5 Boat


Kiddie Circus
10"L x 8"H x 6"W

Kiddie Circus Lined Up

Radar Rocket
Ship w/ Box
Estimated 1950
14"L x 3.5"H x 3.25"W
$120 - $160

Shooting Battleship Box #222

US Cruiser #C42

C12 Aircraft Carrier

Battleship #B15

Battleship #22


Cruiser


Exploding Battleship #206


Car Ferry

Exploding Ship with Atomic Sub #361

Indian Raid #829

Sand Pail and Shovel Set #360

House Cart Model 425
 

Wagon "California or Bust"

Estimated 1950
23.25”L x 12”H x 4”W
$30 - $40

Wood Block Village


Circus Calliope

1951
18.5”L x 8”H x 5”W
$210 - $280


Woodpecker

Estimated 1950
5.5”L x 6.5”H x 3”W
$90 - $120

Prairie Flyer
c. 1950
16"L x 6.5"H x 5.5"W
$175 - $250

The World's Greatest Circus Truck
Estimated 1950
24"L x 11.25"H x 8"W
$3000 - $4000
Click photo for more info

Horse and Carriage
c. 1950
10"L x 3.75"H x 3.3"W
$30 - $40

Chuck Wagon
15.5"L x 8.75"H x 5.75"W

Marching Majorette and Drummer

Estimated 1950
10.75”L x 10.25”H x 4.5”W
$150 - $200

Singing Cowboy

Estimated 1950
10.5”L x 12”H x 5.5”W
$120 - $160

Dog Playing Piano

Estimated 1950
11.75”L x 12”H x 5”W
$150 - $200

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1951 Advertisement

1951 Advertisement
Billy & Ruth Catalog, Pg. 27

1951 Advertisement

1951 Advertisement
Billy & Ruth Catalog, Pg. 8