A wonderfully colorful and expressive early American mechanical pull toy by the Hustler Toy Corporation of Sterling, Illinois, featuring an especially folky black-and-cream bulldog mounted on its original red-painted wheeled platform.
The dog has tremendous personality, with an oversized rounded head, bold circular eyes, smiling muzzle, stubby tail and a particularly charming red collar decorated with yellow polka dots. The strong black, warm cream, brilliant red and yellow palette gives the toy exceptional graphic presence. Four individually jointed wooden legs are connected to the original metal mechanism concealed beneath the platform, causing the dog to “walk” as the toy is pulled.
Especially appealing is the remarkably honest condition. The toy retains strong original painted decoration throughout, with scattered scratches, edge wear, rubbing and minor losses entirely consistent with generations of actual play. The original red wooden wheels, decorated platform, articulated legs and underside mechanical linkage remain intact, and the base retains the Hustler Toy Corporation, Sterling, Illinois trademark.
The walking mechanism remains functional and works quite well, though not perfectly or as smoothly as when new, adding considerably to the charm of this nearly century-old survivor.
A terrific piece of early American toy design combining bold color, mechanical ingenuity, wonderful surface and exceptional folk-art character.