Antique A. C. Gilbert Company Toys

Alfred Carlton Gilbert  founded the  A.C. Gilbert toy company  in the United States 1908 to manufacture magic trick kits. In 1911 Gilbert invented the Erector Set which were shaped like miniature railroad girders. Boys loved to build and create their own shapes and buildings and their popularity made Erector Sets a great seller for years.
AC Gilbert Company purchased model train maker American Flyer in 1938 and manufactured O Scale and HO scale (also known as Gilbert HO) trains. These trains were not only popular with children as a toy, but also with model train enthusiasts.

	VINTAGE METAL GILBERT 12055 CHEMISTRY EXPERIMENT LAB SCIENCE TOY METAL BOX 50S $24.00 $34.00
	1963 Gilberts Microscope $6.99
	1938 Vintage Gilbert Microscope Set Number S-5 Gilbert Hall of Science - RARE $49.95
	Old Vintage Antique 1920 A.C. Gilbert Puzzle Parties Instructions Book Toy Games $9.99
	VINTAGE GILBERT AMERICAN FLYER AUTO RAMA SLOT RACING CAR FLY OVER CHICANE KIT $63.99
	VINTAGE GILBERT AMERICAN FLYER AUTO- RAMA SLOT RACING CAR FLY OVER CHICANE KIT $63.99

A C Gilbert toy company had an interesting business model as they deviated from toy making in the late 1930's and started to create household appliances such as toasters, washing machines and mixers. During the war, they also manufactured parts for use in the military, primarily with airplanes.
After the war, Gilbert started to manufacture S Scale trains under the American Flyer name which were more authentic versions of their life-sized counterparts. They were also well known for making microscopes and chemistry sets for those children that were more scientifically inclined and not interested in building with Erector Sets.
Even though A.C. Gilbert Company was sold in the mid 1960's, their legacy still lives on through the brand Erector, which still pays a tribute to the company that started the building block craze.  Today, A.C Gilbert Toy Company Toys are in demand among collectors and they provide a glimpse into the past like very few other toys provide.