Erector

Hello Boys!

(and girls of all ages!)

Welcome to the wonderful world of Gilbert ERECTOR Sets!

A. C. Gilbert introduced this marvelous metal toy construction set at the New York Toy Fair in 1913. Erector sets were extremely popular, especially during the "Renaissance" period (so named by author Bill Bean) of 1946 to 1956. Like most men my age, I had several Erector sets as a boy. When A.C. Gilbert went out of business around 1964, Erector sets (as we knew them) stopped being made. Don't confuse these old original Erector sets with the modern sets (using the Erector name) available in your local Toys-R-Us or Wal-Mart! The Gilbert sets from the 50's (my favorite era) are made of sturdy nickel plated steel and are designed to teach sound construction techniques. (The "modern" sets sold in stores now are flimsy and do not spark a child's imagination nearly as much.) As soon as my son was born, my own interest in the original Gilbert Erector sets was rekindled. Now I have started collecting and restoring sets, partly so that my son can enjoy a piece of the past that doesn't exist any more, and partly because it's just plain fun! (I get to re-live some of my own youth as well!) Scroll down to see this month's Featured Set, Model-of-the-Month, current Restorations in progress, or for some great Erector Links:

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Featured Set # 1: A "Marion Designs" 8 1/2 Restoration
	This is the first Erector Set I purchased as an adult. I had seen Marion Designs ads in Classic Toy Trains for a couple of years. The company, run by the AC Gilbert Heritage Society Founder William Harrison, was advertising restored 8 1/2 sets...the famous "All Electric" Ferris Wheel Set! I called Bill and found out he was about to retire from his business! I was able to purchase one of his last classic 8 1/2 sets.
Featured Set # 2: My Own 7 1/2 Restoration
	After purchasing that first 8 1/2 set I was hooked! This is an example of my own attempt at restoration in the Marion Designs fashion, which means using plywood mounting boards and screws instead of the cardboard inserts and metal "T"-clips. The difference may seem unimportant at first, but if you are actually going to build stuff with your sets, the mounting boards definitely make removing and replacing the parts much easier.
Featured Set #3: A "Pandy's Collectibles" 10 1/2 Restoration
	Good News! When Mr. Harrison retired, the Erector business was turned over to Nancy and Paul of Pandy's Collectibles. Paul and Nancy provide the same fine quality as Marion Designs, and also offer sets in both the cardboard insert or mounting board versions. This is truly a Super Set!

Restoration "In-Progress": A No. 4 1/2

This set seems to be from about 1948-1950. The parts were pretty corroded but the cardboard box is in great shape. I am trying to clean up the parts and make it presentable!

Model-of-the-Month: My son John (age 6) and I are currently building the Ferris Wheel and the Parachute Jump will probably be next. Yes, I realize that may be a bit ambitious, and A.C. always did say (in every one of his manuals) that you should always build the simpler models first. But I wonder how many boys ever followed that advice???

Erector Links:

A. C. Gilbert Heritage Society A tribute to the man who started it all. (This page is currently going through revisions.)

Bill Bean's Erector Collector Page Bill has a great collection of some of the oldest sets around. His personal collection is vast and is knowledge of sets is temendous and useful to every collector!

Dr. Prune's Erector World: The Doctor is IN with some great photos of finished models (see the Gallery) as well as some great Erector info!

Linford's Erector Set Page: Paul collects and restores sets too.

ERECTOR SET COLLECTORS - PANDY'S COLLECTIBLES Paul and Nancy sell restored sets and sell parts as well.

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