Auburn Rubber Corporation
55 years in operation (1913–1968)
About Auburn Rubber Corporation
Auburn Rubber was one of America's largest makers of rubber toys, producing soft flexible figures of soldiers, animals, farm workers, and vehicles. Their military figures and vehicle sets were extremely popular during and after WWII, widely sold through Woolworth's and five-and-dime stores.
History of Auburn Rubber Corporation
Auburn began as the Double Fabric Tire Company, and its move into toys came out of a search for something to do with rubber compounding capacity between tyre orders. From 1935 it produced rubber toy soldiers, and they were an immediate commercial answer to a real parental objection: unlike the lead figures that dominated the dime-store trade, a rubber soldier could not be chipped, could not cut a child and contained no lead.
The range widened into rubber cars, trucks, fire engines and a substantial line of farm implements and tractors sold through hardware and farm-equipment dealers. Auburn moved operations from Indiana to Deming, New Mexico in 1960 chasing lower costs, but rubber and later vinyl toys were being squeezed from both sides by injection-moulded styrene, and the company closed at the end of the 1960s.
Timeline
- 1913The firm is founded in Auburn, Indiana as a rubber and tyre business
- 1935Rubber toy soldiers are introduced as a safe alternative to lead figures
- 1940Rubber vehicles and a farm-implement line broaden the range
- 1960Production moves to Deming, New Mexico
- 1968The company closes as moulded plastic displaces rubber toys
Notable & Best-Selling Toys
- Auburn rubber soldiers
- Auburn rubber farm animals
- Auburn rubber military vehicles
- Auburn rubber cars and trucks
- English Palace Guard figures
Identifying & Dating Auburn Rubber Corporation Toys
- Figures and vehicles are marked in the mould, usually on the base or underside, "AUBURN RUBBER" or "A.R. Co." with "MADE IN U.S.A."
- Later New Mexico production is often marked only "AUBURN" and the rubber compound is noticeably harder and shinier than the prewar material.
- Genuine Auburn rubber has a slight surface bloom and a matte finish; the moulded detail is soft by comparison with lead, which is characteristic rather than a defect.
Collector's Notes
- Rubber ages badly. It hardens, shrinks, splits at thin points such as rifle barrels and horse legs, and gives off a distinctive smell. Supple, uncracked figures with clean paint are much scarcer than the survival rate suggests.
- Common infantry figures remain inexpensive; the farm tractors and implements, and the boxed sets, are where the collector interest sits.
- Store away from heat and sunlight, which accelerate hardening. Do not attempt to soften a hardened figure — the treatments that circulate for this generally destroy the paint.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Auburn Rubber Corporation founded?
Auburn Rubber Corporation was founded in 1913, based in Auburn, IN.
Is Auburn Rubber Corporation still in business?
No. Auburn Rubber Corporation ceased operations in 1968, after 55 years in business.
What is Auburn Rubber Corporation best known for?
Auburn Rubber Corporation is best known for Auburn rubber soldiers, Auburn rubber farm animals, Auburn rubber military vehicles, among other toys.
Where was Auburn Rubber Corporation located?
Auburn Rubber Corporation was based in Auburn, IN.
What kinds of toys did Auburn Rubber Corporation make?
Auburn Rubber Corporation is categorized under rubber toys, military, figures.
How can you identify genuine Auburn Rubber Corporation toys?
Figures and vehicles are marked in the mould, usually on the base or underside, "AUBURN RUBBER" or "A.R. Co." with "MADE IN U.S.A." Later New Mexico production is often marked only "AUBURN" and the rubber compound is noticeably harder and shinier than the prewar material. Genuine Auburn rubber has a slight surface bloom and a matte finish; the moulded detail is soft by comparison with lead, which is characteristic rather than a defect.
Are Auburn Rubber Corporation toys valuable?
Rubber ages badly. It hardens, shrinks, splits at thin points such as rifle barrels and horse legs, and gives off a distinctive smell. Supple, uncracked figures with clean paint are much scarcer than the survival rate suggests. Common infantry figures remain inexpensive; the farm tractors and implements, and the boxed sets, are where the collector interest sits. Store away from heat and sunlight, which accelerate hardening. Do not attempt to soften a hardened figure — the treatments that circulate for this generally destroy the paint.