Honey, I
shrunk the John Deere
Toys are the talk of the town in Dyersville
"Build it and they
will come" is a line from Dyersville, Iowa’s Field of Dreams. But another local
industry is also drawing big crowds to the town, especially this past weekend: the
National Farm Toy Show.
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Toys: Pure pleasure!
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Farm toy fanatics
Dyersville is home to the National Farm Toy Museum, as well as farm toy
manufacturing giant Ertl and several other top companies involved in making miniature
tractors and equipment. Obviously, it earns the right to hold the biggest toy show on the
planet!
Now in its 24th year, the National Farm Toy Show draws
around 20,000 fans every year for the 3-day event. That’s a lot of people to cram
into a town of just 4,000 residents. Hotels are reserved a year in advance, leaving most
visitors to make the 20-minute drive to Dubuque for overnight accommodations.
Gawking and hawking
Booth space itself runs a several-year-long waiting list, despite major
expansions to available space over the past few years. Some diehard vendors even brave the
blustery Midwestern fall winds to set up a stand outside at the Commercial Club Park!
Between that location, the Museum and the Beckman High School, toy enthusiasts can make
the rounds to gawk at all the goodies in every brand’s signature color.
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When it comes to shelf space, size
is everything. With the range of scale models in production today, collectors can choose
which scale they prefer. Although the 1/16 scale is the traditional size of most John
Deere toys, other scales range from "Microsize" 1/128 models to massive 1/8
scale replicas. This Model B tractor from Ertl is shown in four sizes (from large to
small): 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, and 1/64. Photo ©1999 Nick Cedar
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You bet your bottom dollar that a lot of
green can be found for sale on many of the tables. Stock up on the latest releases or
haggle for a relic to add to your collection. While toys are the primary focus, other
memorabilia can be had there as well. However, key collectors tell me that most of the
goodies are long gone by the time the show starts. Those early birds get the worm you
know!
During the fun-filled weekend, you can also take tours of the SpecCast
manufacturing facility, enjoy a sanctioned micro-mini pull, bid at the official auction,
and watch your kids win the sanctioned pedal pull.
The farm toy capitol of the world
That’s Dyersville’s claim to fame and no one can argue
against that point. Established in 1986, the 2-story National Farm Toy Museum holds more
than 30,000 toys and exhibits about the history of the hobby.
Diehards for die-cast
I hope you saw several vendors selling copies of my JOHN DEERE
COLLECTIBLES book! Maybe you even met one of the stars of my book in a classroom at the
Beckman High School. If you saw Marvin Benson, you could have had him autograph the Toys
chapter of the book as most of his toys are featured in it!
If any of you attended this year’s show, please email The Green Girl to tell me all about your
experience.
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A giant among miniatures
Ertl. The name alone is
instantly recognizable by many children and adults worldwide. Ertl rules the farm toy
manufacturing market almost to the point of domination. 
Modern farm toy production began after World War II’s material
restrictions for tin and iron were lifted. Ertl, perhaps the best-known name in farm toys,
produced the first John Deere toy tractor in 1945 in the basement of the Fred Ertl, Sr.,
family home in Dubuque, Iowa.
Business boomed and manufacturing quickly outgrew Ertl’s basement.
In 1959, Ertl built a factory in Dyersville, Iowa, now home to the National Farm Toy
Museum. 
To add stamped-steel implements to its product line, Ertl bought Carter
Tru-Scale Products in 1971 and the "Structo" toy division in 1974. Soon after
these acquisitions, Ertl began to export his creations, bringing John Deere green to the
far-off reaches of the world.
Now considered the largest manufacturer of diecast and steel models,
Ertl continues to roll John Deere toys off the assembly line after an amazing history that
spans more than 50 years and shows no signs of slowing any time soon.
The Eska business began in 1945 as the marketing arm for Ertl, shipping
toys to John Deere dealerships across the United States. By 1948, Eska began making
stamped-steel farm implements designed by the Carter Tru-Scale Company, which later
acquired Eska and built toys under both brand names in the 1950s. Eska also made some of
the earliest John Deere pedal tractors.
Carter Tru-Scale is another popular name in farm toy manufacturing.
Carter Machine and Tool Company first supplied stamped-steel toy implement components to
the Eska Company in 1946. While founder Joe Carter actually designed most of the pieces
marketed by Eska, he never took any credit until his company acquired Eska in 1950. Then
Carter put his name on a 1/16 scale John Deere pressed-steel manure spreader with rubber
tires. By 1965, he began to build Carter Tru-Scale farm toys, which represent fine
craftsmanship to today’s collectors. Carter became part of the Ertl holding company
in 1971.
Link
to here to learn more:
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Every year, they produce an official show tractor. This year, it’s
the John Deere 4520. The 1/16 scale die-cast model features cab detail, Roll-Gard cab,
Goodyear tires, engine detail, plus a collector insert, medallion, authentic graphics and
a letter of authenticity. |
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Ertl
produced these two 1/16 scale replicas of the John Deere Model A in the 1940s. 
The 1946 toy tractor in the
foreground is believed to be the second version made in the Ertl’s basement. It
features a cast-in driver, open-style flywheel, and rubber tires. Note the absence of a
steering post, plus the casting "web" between the exhaust and air cleaner
stacks. One known variation is the presence of headlights over the flywheel. The other toy
tractor represents the third version from 1947, signified by a closed flywheel and
separate steering post. A few variations of this model exist, so consult a toy guide for
full details. In the 1980s, a special edition of the Model A was released to celebrate
Ertl’s 40th anniversary (1945-1985). Photo © 2000 Denny Eilers |
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collector’s dream would be to own one of the first three 1/16 scale tractor models
made in the basement of the Ertl family home back in 1945.
 This Model A with the cast
driver, rubber tires, and closed flywheel represents the third major edition released in
1947. Three variations with a few subtle differences are known to exist. This one has the
words "Ertl Toy" cast on the bottom of the steering post on either side, as well
as a molded pattern in the front tires. Wayne Eisele, a Deere & Company employee,
designed the attached loader in the 1950s. His first design mounted on the front frame of
the tractor and wrapped around the rear axles. The bucket arms raised and lowered with the
crank, while a trip lever on the left side of the bucket gave it dumping action. This toy
has been customized with the John Deere decal and the chain (original was a string). Photo
©Ý1999 Nick Cedar
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TextÝ © 2001 Brenda Kruse. |