Buddy K Toys Specializing in Buddy "L" and Pressed Steel Antique Toys 24 Durham Street Hellertown, PA 18055 ~ (610) 838-6505 Email us: Buddyktoys@aol.com

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Web site last updated: Sept 30, 2008

***Have your toys professionally restored or enhanced by the best. For information on how to schedule your toy work contact us by email or by telephone.***

NEW! BUDDY-L Items back in stock.

Buddy-L Headlight Buckets 1021BL $30.00 Pr

Buddy-L Headlight Faces 1022BL $30.00 Pr.

Buddy L square cans $45.00 ea

Buddy-L Clam shell $225.00 ea.

All McElwee reference guides are $20.00 ea.

1008BL- Multi leaf springs for Buddy-L ......$25.00ea.

1617BL Ladders for the 205B Aerial ladder (middle or top)...$80.00ea

1623BL Chutes for #350 Hoisting tower 3per toy...$100.00ea.

1651BL Sprinkler Bar assembly for Buddy-L 206 tanker...$75.00 ea.

NEW ITEM 1839BL complete pump handle assembly Buddy-L water tower or other Buddy-L with working pumps........$200.00set

SOON!!! AVAILABLE

BUDDY-L BUMPER BARS

BUDDY-L CAB ROOF ASSEMBLY

BUDDY-L FRONT FENDERS

BUDDY-L REAR FENDERS (Now available !!)

PLUS MANY MORE....WATCH FOR UPDATES

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Buddy K Toys is sad to announce the passing of Bud Krause,
founder of Buddy K Toys.

August 2, 1929 - March 25, 2006

On March 25, 2006 Bud Krause lost his battle with cancer. He is survived by Ruth his loving wife of more than 50 years, 4 children and 4 grandchildren. Bud was a proud veteran who served in the U.S. Army during the Korean war. He had a passion for racing stock cars in Eastern Pa. during the 1950's. He also had a passion for the game of golf since he was a teenager in the 1940's.

In addition to his family and all his other passions, his greatest love was for the antique toys. Bud and the late Bob and Genie Lowe spent many a Monday nights in the early 1970's discussing antique toys of all kinds. His passion for antiques lead him to start Buddy-K Toys in 1974.

His stories, his knowledge and his love for toys inspired many of today's antique collectors. A true Icon in the pressed steel toy fraternity he will be missed by many of today's toy collectors.

The Krause family would like to say Thank You for all your gracious condolences we have received from so many people that knew Bud. His stories and antique toy adventures will live with us for the rest of our days here on earth. To quote the late Bob Hope "Thanks for the memories" Dad, thanks for everything you have done for us.

We Love You.
Sincerely, The Krause family (Ruth, Barbara, Laura, David, Nancy)

Over 30 Years Experience

Buddy L and Pressed Steel Toys are our Specialty
Member ATCA, TCA, AACA

Here at Buddy-K Toys we offer parts and decals for your Buddy-L and other pressed steel toys. We also do quality restorations, enhancements and repairs on your 20's and 30's pressed steel toys. Our large showroom has 100's of great toys for you to purchase.

We are located 1 mile off of I-78 (exit 67) in eastern Pennsylvania. Only 75 miles west of New York City or 50 miles north of Philadelphia. (See our map page for more complete directions.) If you can't make it to our showroom we can ship your toy via UPS to you.

For a parts & decal catalog send a $15.00 check or money order to: Buddy K Toys, 24 Durham Street, Hellertown, PA 18055

For a list of toys we have for sale please send a S.A.S.E. to the address above and we'll mail one to you. Or email us and we can email the list to you in Word document format.

Please note: We do not offer appraisal services.

Just back in stock!!! Ice Cubes for Buddy L Ice Truck

Pictured are: 1201-BL Canvas w/hooks for 1926-40 ice trucks $45.00, 1202-BL Set of 3 ice cubes $50.00 1203-BL Ice tongs $25.00

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Buddy L History:

Buddy "L" toys are manufactured by the Moline Pressed Steel Company in East Moline, Illinois. The company was founded in 1910 by Fred A Lundhal and originally manufactured automobile fenders and other stamped auto body parts for the automobile industry. The company primarily supplied parts for the McCormack-Deering line of farm implements and the International Harvester Company for its trucks.

Moline Pressed Steel did not begin manufacturing toys until 1921. Mr. Lundhal wanted to make something new, different, and durable for his son Arthur. He designed and produced an all-steel miniature truck, reportedly a model of an International Harvester truck made from 18 and 20 guage steel which had been discarded to the company's scrap pile.

The other kids in the neighborhood loved the toy so much they got their parents to request that Mr. Lundhal make similar toys for them. The demand made Mr. Lundhal consider manufacturing toys for the toy trade. He designed and produced 3 samples of all steel toys under the name Buddy"L". The name Buddy "L" came from his son, Arthur, who was known in the neighborhood as Buddy "L", to distinguish him from another Buddy in the same neighborhood.

Mr. Lundhal took his samples to the 1922 New York Toy Fair and received a lukewarm reception. Toy buyers thought the prices were too high; however, the toys became noted for their size and quality and toy sales took off. Therefore, Lundhal went ahead and launched the first large American pressed-steel toys - Buddy L.

The toy business prospered so much that by 1923, Moline Pressed Steel stopped fabricating full-size auto parts in favor of toys. By 1925 the toy line expanded to 20 items, including fire engines, moving vans, tanker trucks, lumber trucks, overhead cranes and sand loaders.

In 1926, the fabulous "Outdoor Railroad" train appeared. It was soon followed by ice trucks, coal trucks, tug boats, airplanes and a bus. Highly detailed and functional construction toys were also introduced, including some of the most desirable Buddy L toys ever manufactured.

In 1930 the name of the company was changed to Buddy "L" Manufacturing Company. The toys underwent some improvements to make them more realistic. The Junior line of trucks and toys were introduced.

Buddy "L" continued as the leader of large pressed steel toys up until World War II. Because steel was unavailable at that time, a line of wooden cars and trucks was produced. After the war, Buddy L continued to manufacture toys; however, it was never the same as before as toy manufacturers began making plastic toys.

To learn more about Buddy "L" history, we suggest you consider purchasing a copy of The Story of Buddy L, which is available on our literature page.

[ The history of Buddy L information above is from the Collector's Guide to American Transportation Toys, written by Joe and Sharon Freed ]
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We have pressed steel and wooden Buddy-L toys, as well as parts and decals for your restoration needs for Buddy-L's and other toys. You will also find a large selection of toys from the following manufacturers:
American National, Cor-Cor, Keystone, Kelmet, Kingsbury, Metalcraft, Schiebel, Son-ny, Steelcraft, Structo, Sturditoy, Tonka, Turner, Wyandotte, and many other miscellaneous toy makers.

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The Complete Book of Buddy"L" Toys:
A Greenberg Guide
by Al McCollough
$100

Sold Out

This book is loaded with photos, some in color. Hardback book, 157 pages.
Here are a couple of the pictures:

Shown are: on left is a 42 pound trench digger (wow, what kid could lift that!) and a rare red Ford truck, in center is Bud Lundahl with some of his collection including a scarce tugboat, and on right, rare outdoor railroad pieces including copper and nickel plated loco and caboose