White Bear Lake, MN
Vintage Gambles Deluxe Double Seal Truck & Trailer – 1950s Promotional Toy
Rare and visually striking vintage semi-trailer toy truck featuring the iconic “Gambles” branding, produced as a promotional item in the mid-20th century. This cream-colored trailer with green undercarriage and black wheels is a standout example of retail-branded toys from the golden age of American department stores.
Features and Design
Metal Construction – Made from 40-gauge steel, built to last through decades of play and display
Six-Wheel Trailer – Heavy-duty design with functional loading floor and bottom hatch, operated by a turning key mechanism (key not included)
Deluxe Cab – Includes chrome grille, horn, exhaust stack, and hub detailing
Color Scheme – Cream body with green chassis and black wheels; “Gambles” logo in stylized orange script on trailer side
Dimensions – Approximately 28 inches long, making it a substantial piece for collectors or display
Historical Context This toy was originally sold through Gambles Glidden Company, a regional retail chain headquartered in Minnesota, known for its hardware and general merchandise stores. The truck was featured in Gambles’ 19th Anniversary Sale catalog in the 1950s, priced at $2.59—a modest sum for a toy of this scale and quality.
Gambles partnered with affiliated stores like Bonny Hardware and Jewell Hardware, and their promotional toys often reflected the branding and industrial optimism of postwar America. The “Double Seal” truck was marketed as a deluxe model, emphasizing realism and durability, and was likely manufactured by a third-party toy company specializing in steel vehicles.
Condition
Shows authentic vintage wear including chipped paint, minor rust spots, and surface scuffs consistent with age and use
Wheels roll freely; trailer and cab are structurally sound
Logo remains legible and vibrant, adding to its display appeal
Collector Appeal Highly desirable among collectors of:
Vintage retail memorabilia
Mid-century metal toys
Promotional and branded vehicles
Minnesota-based retail history
This Gambles truck and trailer is more than a toy—it’s a rolling piece of Americana, capturing the spirit of 1950s retail, childhood, and industrial design. Whether displayed on a shelf or integrated into a vintage toy collection, it brings nostalgia, craftsmanship, and story in equal measure.
***Note*** Ad for truck is for historical reference and is not included in the lot.
Need to get all items out on day of removal. Please Bid accordingly! Email us with questions @curioemporiumllc@gmail.com. Or Call/Text at 763-276-6094
| Bid Range | Minimum Increment | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.01 | - | $75.00 | $1.00 |
| $75.01 | - | $150.00 | $5.00 |
| $150.01 | - | $250.00 | $10.00 |
| $250.01 | - | $500.00 | $25.00 |
| $500.01 | - | $1,000.00 | $50.00 |
| $1,000.01 | - | $5,000.00 | $75.00 |
| $5,000.01 | - | $50,000.00 | $100.00 |
| $50,000.01 | - | $75,000.00 | $250.00 |
| $75,000.01 | - | $100,000.00 | $500.00 |
| $100,000.01 | - | $2,500,000.00 | $1,000.00 |
| Buyer's Premium | Cap | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 15.00% | $1,500.00 | ||
This auction is contracted and managed by: Curio Emporium LLC
Manager: Michael Murphy
Accepted Forms of Payment: Major credit cards (processed through the K-BID website) and cash at time of pick-up.
Shipping is available on select items. Please review the Shipping Terms section of this auction listing for full details.
Do not request shipping unless your item is eligible, as indicated in the listing.
The scheduled removal day(s) are firm and non-negotiable. If you cannot make the scheduled time, do not bid.
Unpaid invoices after the scheduled removal day will be marked as NO SHOWS, and any remaining items will be considered abandoned and disposed of at Curio Emporium’s discretion.
No refunds will be issued for abandoned lots.
Come prepared with appropriate help and a suitable vehicle to remove your items.
Staff will not assist in lifting, loading, or transporting heavy or large items. Plan accordingly.
Inspection times are posted for every auction. Bidders are strongly encouraged to inspect items prior to bidding.
Removal day is not inspection day. Winning bidders are obligated to honor their bids once the auction closes and invoices appear on their K-BID dashboard.
All items are sold "as is, where is" with no warranties or guarantees.
Curio Emporium, LLC is not responsible for missing or damaged items after they have been removed from the auction site.
No refunds or returns will be accepted once items leave the premises. Please inspect your items before departure.
By participating in this auction, you release Curio Emporium, LLC from any liability for damage or injury that may occur on the premises during inspection, removal, or pick-up.
Auction Terms Addendum
This auction is contracted and managed by an independent auctioneer. By placing a bid, you agree to both the auction-specific terms listed on this page and the K-BID User Terms and Agreements.
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Inspection & Removal
Inspection dates and times are provided for every auction. Bidders are strongly encouraged to inspect items prior to bidding.
Removal day is not an inspection day.
Once an auction closes and an invoice is issued, the winning bidder is obligated to complete the purchase.
Item Condition
All items are sold “as is, where is,” with no guarantees or warranties. Buyers are responsible for their own due diligence.
Buyer’s Premium
If applicable, Buyer’s Premium caps are applied per item, not per invoice.
Auction Process
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Failure to comply with auction terms, including removal requirements, may result in suspension of bidding privileges.
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Sellers and their agents are strictly prohibited from bidding on their own items.
Sales Tax
Applicable sales tax will be collected by the independent auction company managing the auction.
Eligible items for shipping will be clearly marked within each lot. Shipping is available for most reasonably sized items and is subject to both actual shipping costs packing expense and labor.
Please allow 6–8 days from the auction removal date for shipping invoices to be generated. I use Shipping Saint for the shipping process.
Request shipping via your K-BID Bidder Dashboard → Invoices → Manage Invoices
Pay your auction invoice online (shipping will be billed separately)
A separate shipping invoice will be emailed to you within 7 days
Once the shipping invoice is paid, your items will be shipped
Verify your shipping address! We will ship to the address listed on your K-BID profile unless otherwise confirmed. No refunds will be issued due to incorrect or unverified shipping information.
Shipping fees cannot be estimated in advance. Items must be packaged, weighed, and measured before final shipping costs can be determined.
Once your items are handed off to the shipping department and have been packed, local pick-up is no longer an option. Time and resources will have already been committed.
Thank you for your understanding and for bidding with Curio Emporium, LLC!
Accepted Forms of Payment: Major credit cards (processed through the K-BID website) and cash at time of pick-up.
Removal is scheduled for only the listed removal date—there are no alternate removal dates. Please do not assume late removal is possible.
After the auction closes, you must schedule a pick-up appointment through the K-BID Bidder Dashboard.
Go to: Dashboard → Invoices → Manage Invoices and select an available time slot.
Thank you for your cooperation!
| Bidder | Placed | High Bid |
|---|---|---|
|
134752 ^
|
Nov 11 06:27pm
| $76.00 |
|
212357
|
Nov 11 06:27pm
| $75.00 |
|
134752 ^
|
Nov 11 06:27pm
| $73.00 |
|
212357
|
Nov 11 06:27pm
| $72.00 |
|
134752 ^
|
Nov 11 06:26pm
| $66.00 |
|
212357
|
Nov 11 06:26pm
| $65.00 |
|
134752 ^
|
Nov 10 08:37am
| $51.00 |
|
500652
|
Nov 10 08:37am
| $50.00 |
|
134752 ^
|
Nov 10 08:37am
| $41.00 |
|
500652
|
Nov 10 08:37am
| $40.00 |
|
134752 ^
|
Nov 10 08:37am
| $31.00 |
|
500652
|
Nov 10 08:37am
| $30.00 |
|
134752 ^
|
Nov 10 08:37am
| $26.00 |
|
500652
|
Nov 10 08:37am
| $25.00 |
|
134752 ^
|
Nov 10 08:37am
| $21.00 |
|
500652
|
Nov 10 08:37am
| $20.00 |
|
134752 ^
|
Nov 10 08:36am
| $16.00 |
|
500652
|
Nov 10 08:36am
| $15.00 |
|
134752 ^
|
Nov 10 08:36am
| $11.00 |
|
500652
|
Nov 10 08:36am
| $10.00 |
|
134752
|
Oct 31 05:57am
| $5.00 |