REPRODUCTION 1935 No. 9 1/2 A.C. GILBERT ERECTOR HUDSON LOCOMOTIVE MANUAL

Description: Offered here is a very nice reproduction 1935 No. 9 1/2 A.C. Gilbert Erector set Hudson Locomotive manual. This model probably goes down in history as one of the most elaborate construction models ever devised. Many specific parts to the locomotive and tender model were tooled up and sold during the Great Depression. I was doing some “Erector room housekeeping” and stumbled upon this manual. I do not know who did the scanning and printing of this reproduction. The covers weren’t the best, they were replaced. The Hudson manual for 1934 (No. 8 set) had a “No. 8” in the upper-right corner and “The set that builds the locomotive and tender and 208 other models”. I have seen two covers for the 1935 manual: One with “No. 9 1/2” and one with no number. The front cover of this manual has “No. 9 ½” on it. A quick history lesson on the Hudson sets. Gilbert introduced the set in 1931 and offered it through 1937. The Hudson sets were initially packed in wooden boxes but changed over to a 24” x 14” x 4” steel box in 1934. The 1935 set was unique as it included paper building panels that collectors refer to as “Skyscraper Panels”. This manual has a simulated wrap-around cover like the originals. So, what’s a “simulated” wrap-around cover? I glue a strip of manual cover stock over the spine, then glue on the front and back covers. The overlap joint is carefully sanded to blend out the joint line. For all practical purposes, it is a wrap-around cover made from three pieces of paper that are glued together at the spine. The attached pictures are of the actual manual covers and spine. As an aside, the 1935 No. 9 ½ Hudson sets came with two manuals. First, a 1935 No. 8 ½ manual that illustrated the non-Hudson models that could be built. The second manual was a No. 9 ½ “Hudson-ONLY” manual. This auction is for the No. 9 ½ Hudson-only manual. The 1935 No. 8 ½ manual IS NOT INCLUDED. Another “oddity” with this manual is the pasted-over “9 ½” over “8” at the top of the manual pages. I suspect that Gilbert had left over 1934 No. 8 manuals and used them up by blacking out the “8” and rubber-stamping “9 ½” on the pages. Several models are shown with “S” 10” base plates. Gilbert dropped the “S” base plates in favor of “MN” base plates in 1935. However, the models still show “S” base plates leading to the question, “Were TWO ‘S’ base plates included in the 1935-37 Hudson sets?” Conventional wisdom is that the “S” plates were not included; Gilbert notoriously did not have 100% accurate manuals. After all, the MN looked similar to an S; it was a kids’ toy. Also, the picture of the 1935 No. 9 1/2 set in the photos is FOR REFERENCE ONLY AND IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS AUCTION. THIS AUCTION IS FOR ONE (1) REPRODUCTION 1935 No. 9 1/2 SET MANUAL ONLY. Don’t hesitate to ask questions through eBay’s messaging service. Shipping via USPS Ground Advantage. I combine shipping when possible. I you win multiple manual auctions, please wait for an updated invoice before completing eBay’s checkout. Thanks for looking.

Price: 45 USD

Location: Charlotte, Michigan

End Time: 2024-10-10T20:54:18.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD