A rare and important Märklin Gauge III (75mm.) Romanian-market spirit-fired steam CFR (Caile Ferate Romane) Royal Passenger Train, circa 1902

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A rare and important Märklin Gauge III (75mm.) Romanian-market spirit-fired steam CFR (Caile Ferate Romane) Royal Passenger Train, circa 1902
E4023 4-4-0 (2'B) CFR 'E III' Locomotive and three-axle Tender

The locomotive hand-painted in black, named 'Romania' in gold on boiler sides and 'CFR' and 'E III' plate on cab side-sheets, tinplate with brass boiler and cab, lined in red, gold and green, cast iron wheels in yellow-lined vermilion, tender with hand-painted springs and rivet detail, 'CFR' on side-sheets. Fitted with twin double-cylinders, each with double-piston valves and rockers, reversing from track or splasher side, fitted with vaporising spirit-lamp to centre-flue boiler, fittings include sight-glass, safety-valve, whistle and blow-down tap, hand-rails fitted with heat-resistant wooden sleeves --28in. (71cm.) long (VG, minor dent to tender side, slight chipping, two tender wheelsets replaced)

1st Series 1841 CFR 1st Class Royal 45cm. Carriage
hand-painted in lined royal blue, ivory and grey, with vermilion edges to windows and clerestory glazing, hinged doors with simulated window and curtain detail, lettered 'CFR 1 Cl.' and 'Bucharesti-Jasi', flanking royal crown, with hinged roof and detailed interior, fitted with glass windows and cast-iron bogie frames, corridor fall-plates and one corridor connector (VG, three handles and one coupling replaced, some matt overpainting to underside, 1909 FEM tender bogies fitted)

1st Series 1841 CFR 1st/2nd Class 45cm. Carriage
hand-painted in lined royal blue, ivory and grey, with vermilion edges to windows and clerestory glazing, hinged doors with simulated window and curtain detail, lettered 'CFR 1 Cl.' and 'Bukeresti-Constanta', crowns visible under factory overpaint, with hinged roof and detailed interior, fitted with glass windows and cast-iron bogie frames, corridor fall-plates and one corridor connector (G, one footstep damaged, some chipping, one handle replaced, one coupling rivet replaced with wire, some matt overpainting applied to underside, 1909 FEM tender bogies fitted, wear-marks of smaller bogie visible underneath)

1st Series 1844 CFR 45cm. Post Baggage Van
hand-painted in lined dark green, with vermilion edges to windows, and simulated window and blind detail, lettered 'CFR' with post horns and letter box posting emblem, with hinged roof and detailed interior, hinged doors and dog flap, sliding baggage doors, fall plates and fitted with glass windows and cast iron bogies (G-VG, some dents to roof, minor chipping, one buffer detached, one coupling rivet replaced, 1909 FEM tender bogies fitted)

Twelve seated and one standing painted composition figures (mostly G, sd.), plated train lamp with red lens, fillers and wick, signal and 54 Gauge III tinplate track sections, including Märklin - 20 curves and 7 straights

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

Further details

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Lot Essay

Certain details of the locomotive differ from the E4023 illustrated in contemporary Märklin catalogues. The chimney does not have a flared rim and the footplating extends out over the cylinders.

Märklin & Cie have confirmed that this train was originally delivered to Bucharest. Although the original owner is not known, it was undoubtedly a special order of great quality and rarity. The fitting of later FEM tender bogies was apparently carried out many years ago. Retouching on the coach floors around the new bolt heads suggests that the work may have been done in the factory.

The train was bought from a private collector around 25 years ago in its present form, apart from the later addition of the two tender wheel sets.
On May 10, 1866, Carol, prince of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, a relative of the Prussian royal family, was declared King Carol I of the newly-independent Romania. His nephew, King Carol II, was born in 1893; his son, King Michael I, born in 1921, is the present King of Romania.

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