Description

This vintage collection comprises six cast-iron promotional and commemorative pieces produced for internal distribution at the International Harvester Louisville Foundry, reflecting the plant’s production history, employee culture, and emphasis on safety. The group includes three Cub Cadet soldier figures (each approximately 6 inches tall), one Cub Bear figure (approximately 4½ inches tall), one “Last Iron” commemorative plaque measuring approximately 6 × 6½ inches, and one safety award ashtray measuring approximately 3½ × 4½ inches.

The Cub Bear represents one of the foundry’s earliest souvenirs, first cast in January 1949 from the plant’s inaugural melt. Early examples featured a tractor detail that was later replaced with a larger IH emblem, with most surviving bears dating to 1949 and a limited reissue produced on November 20, 1973. The three Cub Cadet soldier figures reference the Cub Cadet tractor line, with the original design introduced in late 1960 and a later commemorative casting produced in 1974 to mark the manufacture of 500,000 Cub Cadet units; one figure in this group shows the commonly encountered variation of a missing helmet plume.

The “Last Iron” plaque commemorates the final iron pour at the Louisville Foundry in March 1983 and depicts a foundry worker handling molten metal, symbolizing the conclusion of operations at a facility that had employed thousands. This piece marks the end of an era for the plant, which operated from the late 1940s through the early 1980s producing a wide range of equipment and industrial components.

The sixth item, a cast-iron safety award ashtray, documents the plant’s operational safety achievements and bears text indicating it was presented in 1976 for reaching 2,000,000 work hours without a lost-time injury. Such awards were issued to recognize collective employee performance and reinforce workplace safety standards, a common practice in large industrial operations. Together, these six pieces were never intended for retail sale and were distributed to employees, guests, or dignitaries, making them authentic artifacts of Louisville’s industrial history and a cohesive, historically significant collection for International Harvester and agricultural memorabilia collectors.

Condition

Please note all items are "as-is where-is"

Measurement(s): See above in description.

Terms and Conditions

1. All items are sold where is, as is.

2. Once payment is completed for item(s) won, the ability to schedule a pick-up time will become available. Scheduling a pick-up time is required.

3. There will be a $20 fee assessed per item not picked up at that time that will be collected prior to bidding again at our auctions. Unlike retail, we do not have the option to store your item. If the item is larger than a standard suitcase (22" x 14" x 10"), we will charge $50 to the card on file per item to move the item.

4. Please plan accordingly as items not picked up are considered "abandoned". Do not bid if you cant pick up this day.

5. You are responsible for ensuring you collect all items at pickup.

6. Legacy uses "Popcorn" or "Extended" bidding. This means if a bid comes in at the last second, it is extended 3 minutes. This is like a live auctioneer saying, "going once" to ensure all bids are exhausted prior to closing.

7. We charge a 12% flat buyers premium on all items.

8. We charge KY State Tax with the exception of vehicles which is collected at the DMV.

9. You must bring help to pickup any items. We can recommend movers upon request. Also, please bring tools for items that require disassembly.

10. Please read our complete terms and conditions for additional details.