Contact Us | Home
Total Toys: 2,682
Rare, Antique toy cars. Tippco, classic toy cars.

Helicopter Patent Model

Download PDF document with patent filings and drawings and other information on this model

Aeroplane Bouillot Brevete Helicopter

1267A. RARE & IMPORTANT HELICOPTER PATENT MODEL. This extraordinarily rare patent model, numbered 56,057 is believed to be an original Swiss patent model for a helicopter. At the time of its manufacture, it was not referred to as a "helicopter". In fact, the extraordinary thing about this piece is this model predates the Igor Sikorsky helicopter, which was patented in 1931, and not successfully produced until 1939. This helicopter model was submitted in 1911! This fantastic model is set with small nameplate on each door, which read "Aeroplane Bouillot Brevete" with a small cross. The mechanism appears to be made of aluminum with Eisen-type windows. It is painted with a light green paint all over. According to accompanying copies of original diagrams of the machine and copies of the actual patent papers (written in French), the helicopter apparently originally had other pieces including tail fins, etc. A truly remarkable find; it is difficult to believe that only a few years after the Wright Brothers successfully conceived of manned flight, someone had begun thinking of this advance in technology. SIZE: Approx. 26" 1. x 10" h. x 10 1/2" w. CONDITION. Of the two aluminum propellers on the front, one has a piece missing and it is apparent that there were other components, likely thin paper covering for the wire framework. A truly unique and historically important item. 1-1860

It is believed that this item was listed in an auction catalog for Hanover Computer.com, November 2003, but apparently did not sell. A note from the catalog follows:

This offering of U.S. Patent Office models comes from the cherished collection of Mark Aziz of Edison, New Jersey. He and his wife Rose amassed this marvelous grouping over a 34-year period. Mr. Aziz first purchased a small group from a man in 1969, who had obtained them from a patent attorney who was working in Washington, DC. Afterward, the major portion of the collection came from O. Rundle Gilbert, a well-known auctioneer, who had purchased the entire supply released by the Patent office.


This model appears to have been sold or listed by Christie’s International also, although no information is available other than the correspondence included with this model.