Eight-car Scratch-built Painted Wood Toy Train

Description:

Eight-car Scratch-built Painted Wood Toy Train, America, early 20th century, comprising a locomotive, coal car, box car, passenger car, hopper car, two flat bed cars, and a caboose, all with wooden wheels, several cars with the painted "D.L. & W." acronym for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, ht. 5-17 3/4, total lg. approx. 21 ft. 5 in.

Provenance: Commissioned by Alice Elizabeth Greene, c. 1920s. According to a notarized statement signed by Frederick Chesterley of Blaine, Washington, Alice Greene was the grandniece of John Blair, the railroad baron who started the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad. Blair was once listed the 20th most wealthy American. Ms. Greene is described in the note as "a beautiful woman who loved beautiful things."
Estimate $3,000-5,000

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