Salesman sample stoves were popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, allowing traveling salesmen to showcase their company’s products to potential retailers without carrying full-sized stoves. These miniature stoves were often made with the same level of detail as their larger counterparts. This is a cast nickel stove with very elaborate embossed ornamentation featuring medallions and floral-themed scrolls. The stove has six burners and lidded reservoir, very richly decorated cast nickel chimney with elevated double-door warming cupboard, wide front oven door with name “Eclipse”, shaking grate with access from front and side, warming hearth with rare removable floral embossed side vents. An extraordinary stove in beautifully preserved condition except it needs polishing. American, circa 1890, model 58 by J&E Stevens, Cromwell, Connecticut that continued to be made until at least 1903 when it was advertised in Montgomery Ward catalog as “undoubtedly one of the handsomest toy ranges on the market” ; the firm also produced other cast iron toys and banks.
