{"product_id":"vintage-wolverine-tin-lithograph-toy-adding-machine-circa-1940s","title":"Vintage Wolverine Tin Lithograph Toy Adding Machine, Circa 1940s","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Piece\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis vintage \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWolverine tin lithograph toy adding machine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a wonderfully graphic mid-century educational toy, made in the USA and designed to teach basic arithmetic through a simple mechanical slide system. Because apparently children once learned math by physically dragging numbers down a metal track instead of begging an app to do it for them. Civilization had texture back then.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe piece features a bold \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ered, blue, and white lithographed tin body\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with four vertical number columns, sliding mechanisms, and small total windows along the lower register. The front is marked \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“ADDING MACHINE”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePatent 2243884\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWolverine Made in U.S.A.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e diamond mark.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is both a collectible toy and a striking display object, especially for anyone drawn to antique educational tools, early mechanical calculators, vintage office decor, or American tin toys.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDesign \u0026amp; Construction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConstructed from \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003elithographed tin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, this toy adding machine has a rectangular box form with a raised top panel and internal mechanical registers. The user places a finger into the slide opening next to the number being added, pulls the slide downward, and the total appears in the lower windows.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe design is compact, colorful, and surprisingly clever. The blue molded-looking channels contrast beautifully against the red lithographed body, while the white number markers and instruction panel give it a crisp, utilitarian charm.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVisible instructions on the front read in part:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Place index finger… in slide hole next to number to be added; press on slide and pull down as far as possible…”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe bottom instruction panel also explains how to clear the machine by making additions in each column until “0” appears in each register.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn short: it is a tiny math machine with a personality. Annoyingly charming.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory \u0026amp; Provenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis toy was made by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWolverine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, an American manufacturer known for lithographed tin toys, mechanical playthings, and educational items. The company produced colorful, durable tin toys throughout the early-to-mid 20th century, with many pieces now collected for their graphics, mechanics, and nostalgic appeal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe patent number \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2243884\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e places this design in the early 1940s, making this piece most likely \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecirca 1940s\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, possibly extending into the early 1950s depending on production run.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eToy adding machines like this were part of a broader category of educational toys made to teach arithmetic, counting, and mechanical problem solving. Unlike a purely decorative toy, this piece was intended to be interactive and functional, which makes surviving examples especially appealing when the slide mechanism remains intact.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"1633.5\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetail\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eItem\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVintage Toy Adding Machine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaker\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWolverine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMarking\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Wolverine Made in U.S.A.” diamond mark\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePatent\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePatent 2243884\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUnited States\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCirca 1940s\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeriod\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMid-20th Century\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStyle\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVintage Educational Toy \/ Tin Lithograph Toy \/ Mechanical Calculator Toy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterials\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLithographed tin, internal mechanical register components\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eColors\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRed, blue, white, black\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eForm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRectangular tabletop adding machine with slide registers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMechanism\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFour-column slide-operated addition system with total windows\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApprox. 8.5 in long × 5.75 in wide × 2.25 in high\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApprox. 1–1.5 lb\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVintage condition with surface scratches, scuffs, paint loss, oxidation, corner wear, label wear, and age-related patina throughout. Mechanical function has not been confirmed unless tested separately.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuggested Use\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDecorative display, office styling, vintage toy collection, educational decor, bookshelf accent, prop styling\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDust gently with a soft dry cloth. Avoid water, abrasive cleaners, or aggressive polishing, as these may damage the lithographed surface.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy This Belongs in Your Home\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis Wolverine adding machine has exactly the kind of charm that makes vintage objects worth collecting: bold color, honest wear, clever mechanics, and a design that actually tells you something about how people lived and learned.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt works beautifully as a shelf object in an office, library, study, playroom, or vintage-inspired retail display. The red and blue lithography gives it strong visual presence, while the aged tin, worn corners, and visible patent marking make it feel collected rather than staged.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor buyers who appreciate early educational toys, mechanical objects, or mid-century American design, this is a small but memorable piece. It has the rare ability to feel playful and historically interesting at the same time, which is more than can be said for most modern desk accessories pretending to be “curated.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Viridian Eclection","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43215078752361,"sku":null,"price":42.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0651\/0093\/9369\/files\/IMG-7641.png?v=1778583306","url":"https:\/\/viridianeclection.com\/products\/vintage-wolverine-tin-lithograph-toy-adding-machine-circa-1940s","provider":"Viridian Eclection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}