A fascinating antique c.1930 handmade wooden toy truck, constructed from reclaimed commercial packing-crate timber.

The truck has been completely scratch-built by hand, with the original timber retaining period blue stencilled markings including “ARGENTINA” and “AGRICULTURA”, together with further partial lettering visible inside the cab and elsewhere. These markings appear to originate from the packing crate from which much of the truck was constructed.

Particularly interesting are the original pencil setting-out marks still visible on one side of the cab. These show where the maker planned the profile before hand-cutting and shaping the body, providing wonderful evidence of the original construction process.

The truck is assembled using small panel pins with separate wooden wheels and axle supports. The wheels remain free-running. It was left largely in its natural unpainted state, preserving the grain, old crate markings and handmade character.

The cab design and overall proportions are strongly reminiscent of commercial trucks of the late 1920s to 1930s.

The precise maker and country in which the toy was constructed are unknown; however, the surviving Argentine agricultural/export markings on the reused timber are clearly visible and form an important part of its history.

A highly characterful piece of early folk-art / scratch-built toy making, with the reclaimed packing-crate construction giving it an unusual social and commercial history.

Please study all photographs carefully as they form an important part of the description.