I received a wooden kit of a Volcano Assay Office by Simpson Products Co. of Oakland, Ca., but I regret to say that I have neither the picture nor the instructions to construct it. I have gone on line to find that Simpson Products Co. is a construction lumber supplier and not a manufacturer of HO buildings. I sure would appreciate any help!!
Rio Grande Tony
I have the impression the assay office still exists in Volcano, CA which is not quite a ghost town. I was there last Spring and noticed several 100+ year-old structures, including some "hole-in-the-wall" buildings of which one was probably the subject. The locals fill the village's small bar, and the hotel serves fine meals. Unfortunately, all the breweries are gone, as well as the observatory and law school.
Simpson is/was a one-man show. If still alive, he must be nearing 70 years of age. I purchased some custom turnouts from him in the mid-1960s.
Mark
Simpson seems to still be in the model-making business as he is currently offering for sale a current catalog.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Simpsons-2009-General-Catalog-O-S-HO-1-20-3-1-24_W0QQitemZ200300824475QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item200300824475&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50