With video games dominating and transforming the landscape of our pre-teen children with a new virtual world for them to play in, it is refreshing to know that there are still classic toys available for our younger children to enjoy. Let’s look at one of these special toys:
There is a classic toy, invented by two brothers in 1955, that still captures the imaginations of our pre-school children and youngsters alike. That toy, or product is: Play Doh.
Originally a wallpaper cleaner invented by brothers Noah W. McVicker and Joseph S. McVicker, Play Doh was introduced to schools in the Cincinnati area in 1955 because McVicker’s sister-in-law asked if it was a safe alternative to modeling clay. Play Doh was an instant hit and soon the McVicker brothers formed Rainbow Crafts Company to produce and sell their product. Additionally, the brothers showcased their “modeling clay” at a National Education Convention and the word spread to the big department stores, Macy’s and Marshall Field’s. Soon after, Plah Doh was a national hit.
Advertising played a crucial role in the success of Play Doh. Captain Kangaroo, a very popular educator of young children at the time, endorsed Play Doh. So did Miss Frances from the Ding Dong School, another popular children’s television show. In 1960, a character named Play-Doh-Pete, a young boy with a beret was introduced to the advertising campaign. Additionally, the Fun Factory Accessory Playset was added to the product line, which allowed children to squeeze the material into interesting shapes and molds, furthering sales and development of the product.
In 1980 Play Doh expanded its palette to include eight colors, some that glowed in the dark and even some that were scented. It is estimated that more than two billion cans of Play Doh have been sold since 1956 and the total amount of Play Doh manufactured since then would weigh more than 700 million pounds.
The ingredients for Play Doh, to this day, remain a closely guarded secret. But it is primarily made up of a mixture of water, wheat flour, deodorized kerosene (or some other petroleum distillate-to provide the smooth texture), salt, a drying agent such as borax (which deters mold), an alum-based hardening agent, colorings and perfume.
Kids all over the world still enjoy Play Doh (it is sold in more than 6000 stores and over 75 countries worldwide) and children can even celebrate National Play Doh Day on September 18th. Some products never go out of style and Play Doh will always have young minds to enlighten and entertain.
About The Author
Robert Benson operates http://www.ezshoppinghere.com a website devoted to helping shoppers find unique gift ideas in unique places with over 400 stores to choose from. Find all your classic toys and more articles about toys at the website.
January 26th, 2009 in
Uncategorized |
No Comments
In her memoirs, Catherine the Great talked about Czar Peter III and his huge collection of model soldiers. It seems he had a special room set aside just for his miniature troops.
As they stood at attention on narrow tables, the Czar orchestrated the brigades in a daily changing of the guard and celebration of court holidays.
He dressed in uniform for the ceremony and those invited for the merriment were obliged to do the same. It was an ideal world, a world where an adult could control all the people and actions in it.
Toy soldiers are to little boys what dolls are to little girls. But toy soldiers like dolls can hold the same magic for adults.
These beloved souvenirs of the playroom have been around several thousand years. While the novelist-poet Robert Lewis Stevenson was recovering from tuberculosis in the 1880s, he filled his attic with miniature soldiers.
A visitor described Stevenson’s curiosity as “a boy’s eagerness, a man’s intelligence and a novelist’s imagination.” These wee-men in uniform also charmed Goethe and Winston Churchill.
It’s doubtful they saw toy soldiers as a threat to peace.
Colorful uniforms and chivalric poses give a three-dimensional feel to military history. Whether it’s an 18th century Irish brigade, Vikings, or George Washington atop his white steed, most men recall playing with toy soldiers as a kid.
Collectors often focus on soldiers made as toys in Europe and America from the 19th and early-20th century. They range in size from about 1¼ to 2¼ inches tall, and are usually made from an alloy of tin and lead. They can also be found in wood, plaster or paper, but metal soldiers are the most valuable.
Sometimes the collecting spark comes from a fascination with a particular era in history; sometimes it may be a country, type of soldier or a bizarre military unit.
There is glamour to old uniforms; some so stylish and tight fitting it’s hard to imagine how anyone did battle in them.
Condition more than age affects the value of model soldiers because popular models kept being reissued for years. Mint-in-box would be the perfect way to stumble upon them.
Some of the favorite metal-cast figures were developed in England by William Britain starting in 1893. These hollow-cast figures came in huge quantities and an amazing variety of poses. So, they’re not that hard to find now. A mark on the underside will always contain the word Britain.
American manufacturers include McLoughlin Brothers of N.Y., and Barclay Manufacturing Company of Union City, N.J.
American-made soldiers are also larger, about 3½ inches tall. As you maybe guessed, plastic soldiers have received a mixed reception, and to the dismay of serious collectors will probably displace the metal ones at some point.
Some connoisseur-type military figures were made that were never intended to be playthings. Richard Courtenay, the English historian and model-soldier maker is a good example.
His soldiers were created with painstaking research, historical accuracy and artistic faithfulness down to the last button. Best known for his imposing knights, Courtenay created about 300 molds by the time of his death in 1964.
On May 20, Sloan’s Auctioneers in Miami, Fla., featured a selection of lead soldiers in its toys and collectibles sale. Her are some current values.
Model Soldiers
Napoleonic Prussians; by Mignot; including drummer, officer and flag bearer; 6 pieces; $200.
Highland pipe band of the Black Watch; #2109, by Britain; 20 pieces, plastic drums; $345.
Cavalry and infantry; by Britain; pre and post-war figures; 15 pieces; $350.
Band of Life Guards on horseback; by Britain; 12 pieces; circa 1920; $480.
Sir Eustace de Ribeaumount on horseback; by Courtenay, carries the banner of King John; marked “Made in England;” $600.
John Duke of Brittany K.G; modified M-1 movable arm; by Courtenay; together with King of France position modified H-11; $700.
King Henry V in full armor on horseback, with movable sword; by Courtenay, marked made in England; $900.
King John of France; #1; by Courtenay; “Marked made in England;” 2 pieces; $1,200.
January 26th, 2009 in
Toy soldiers |
No Comments
