Remarks |
When I first saw this car on an auction site long after the
auction was over, I thought I might see others that had also been used as
awards as noted by the plaque on the base. Little did I know at that
time that there were various other versions of this car.
The mounted
award model was apparently given to
individuals involved in the making of the Monsanto industrial film,
"Decision for Chemistry." One difference between the mounted model and
other versions of this car is the presence on the mounted model of the
words, "orthonitrochlorobenzene." That labeling is significant
in the film as it is that writing on the side of the car that sends a young
man to explore a career in chemistry. I am attempting to obtain a
copy of the film, as it closely follows the A.C. Gilbert philosophy that the
scientists and inventors of tomorrow develop their interest in science as
young people. Exactly how many of these models were created is
uncertain, but it seems possible that other mounted models may exist as the
award trophy does not specify any one person, but merely cites a
"contribution" to the production. I understand that
this particular award model was offered for sale at a recent York Train
Meet.
The other versions of this car substitute "phosphoric
acid" for the "orthonitrochlorobenzene" or eliminate it entirely.
The 1953 dating of the award model is curious because Gilbert was not
selling HO at that time and the model is clearly from pre-Korean war
production. The discovery of another mounted model dated in 1949
indicated that these models had been around for some time and used by
Monsanto for various purposes, most likely other awards. It is quite
possible that other examples of this model exist, but if given as Monsanto
awards, most likely ended up in the hands of non-train enthusiasts.
These models appears to
have started life as a black shell for a 126 Sinclair tank car. The partially completed model
from the Rick Tonet collection was originally obtained from the collection of the late
Frank Castiglione, through his son Mark and is believed to have been created
by his father. It is most likely that Frank Castiglione also created the
the other models.
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