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Building Lifelong Memories with Erector Sets
It is said that those individuals that have achieved a great things in their
lives have achieved much. If this holds true, then Doctor A.C. Gilbert was
a phenomenal man of many trades. Born in 1884, he won an Olympic Gold Medal,
and graduated from Yale Medical School in 1909.
In order to keep his family financially afloat, he was a magician. Even
though he had a degree in medicine, he decided to become a co-founder of a
corporation that sold magic kits. In the year 1913, he ventured off to sell
Erector Sets. It is believed that he sold as many as 30 million Erector Sets
throughout his life.
A.C. Gilbert got the inspiration for his Erector Sets while watching steel
being erected for a New York Railroad. With this creative idea in mind, he
believed that an Erector Set for children would be beneficial. He thought
that the Erector Sets could teach the children how to make replica
skyscrapers.
A.C Gilbert first introduced the Erector Set in 1913 at the New York State
Fair. It is not far fetched to say that he quickly became a millionaire.
Since the sale of his first Erector Set in 1913, the sales of Erector Sets
have remained strong. Many people appreciate the simplicity of the toy, and
the creative ideas that can be created from children. Since the toy can last
a lifetime, many families pass down their Erector Set collection from
generation to generation. Original Erector Set manuals can be seen at a
selling rate of $150.00! Having an Erector Set collection is a true prize
that many individuals do not care to get rid of. That being said, it can
often times be difficult for an antique collector to find an original
Erector Set. If a collector can find an original set, it truly is a rare
gem. Proven that Erector Sets are lifelong toys, new owners and antique
collectors alike can appreciate any value.
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