Antique Rocking Horse

Today I found one of the toys of my dreams: an antique rocking horse. As with my mechanical coin-op horse, I've wanted an antique rocker forever, but their typically large size has always been a problem in my small, crowded place of residence. Now, however, I've found this little beauty: a kiddie sized American horse, probably made by Whitney Reed, dating between 1900 and 1915, and measuring only 28 inches high by 31 inches wide. It's the perfect size for a large teddy bear, and I have several who are already lining up for their turns.

Here's a close-up of his beautiful head, with its real hair mane:

Update, one week later: I've just found some original advertising for my horse! 

It's a huge bonus to find documentation for an old toy, and here's what I've found about this guy. (Thank you, interlibrary loan service!)

It turns out his frame design was patented in 1878 by Philip J. Marqua and Brothers, a family woodworking firm in Cincinatti, Ohio.

The Marqua design was known as a "swing stand", with this variation called a "center swing horse". It was created as an alternative to the bow shaped rocker of the classic rocking horse, and was intended, in the words of its creator, to prevent "the objectionable features" from these traditional horses "now in use -- these objections are noise, wear and tear of carpets, liability to upset, and too much room taken up for operating or packing for shipment."

These were all common problems with large horses on traditional curved rockers, which made a racket as they swept back and forth along wooden floors, eventually wore a track into carpets due to the same motion, took up a large amount of space, and frequently flipped over during energetic rocking.

Here's the company's advertisement for the horse, as seen in the 1912 Sears Roebuck catalog. This one is a bit bigger than mine; they offered the same horse in several sizes:

And here's a photo of a horse on the same frame, dating from 1914. This horse is different, it looks like it may be a skin horse, but the interesting thing is that the frame is just like mine: painted and stencilled on the large central support bar, but not on the side rails. I had wondered if my side rails were replacements since they didn't have the red paint of the rest of the frame, but this photo answers that question. Based on this ad and photo, I think my horse is all original except for his stirrups, which I'll be removing.

Here's another ad for my horse, this one from the 1914 Butler Brothers catalog. This horse is attributed to Whitney Reed, and is almost identical to mine.

German Wooden Toy Village

This little playset, a carved wooden village with a man and some animals, represents 400 years of toymaking history. Little villages like this one have been made in Germany for centuries, turned out originally in the cottage industries that flourished during the long cold winters in regions like the Erzgebirge and Groden Valley.
Wonderfully naive and delightfully out of scale with itself, this particular village was probably made in the 1920s. I like to pretend the giant animals have left Toyko after a radioactive accident and are on their way to terrorize the little Tyrolean village...

Seriously though, if you'd like to learn more about the history of these toys, there's a great account in one of my favorite toy books, Toys Through the Ages, by Dan Foley.

Antique "Coats & Clark Company" Paper Dolls

I'm always amazed when I find a fragile paper toy that has survived through long years of play, and this just may be the most amazing such toy I have. Made from the late 1800s through the early 1900s as an advertising premium by the J P Coats Company (now the Coats & Clark Company), this 6 inch  paper doll is really 12 toys in one.There's a different doll printed on each side of the figure, with 3 different heads for each doll concealed on a rotating wheel within its body. Beautifully lithographed, it's a charming toy as well as a very clever one.

Here is the first doll with her three different heads:

The picture below shows the changeable head mechanism.

Here is the doll on the flip side:

 

 

Handmade Doll Dresser

Here are two of this year's Christmas presents: a handmade doll dresser, circa 1900 (the mirror has been replaced), and an antique dolly's chamber set. The dresser measures about 14 inches tall, and is signed on the back with the original owner's name, "Ludwina Stachler." Doll dressers are frequently found with their young owner's names pencilled on the back, often along with the date they were made or purchased. Must have been the thing to do back then.

German Dollhouse Man

Here's a little Christmas stocking stuffer: a 3 1/2 inch tall German bisque dollhouse man, made in the 1920s.He still has his original felt tuxedo and molded top hat, although it does look as if he's had a rough night out on the town...

Christmas in the Dollhouse

The denizens of my 1890s dollhouse have decorated for Christmas and wrapped their gifts. Dad looks as if it wore him right out...

Miniature German Doll

This little 7 inch German bisque and composition doll was included in the Victorian trunk lot, described in an earlier post. Isn't she lovely? Santa did a good job bringing her this year!

Antique Noah's Ark

Photos really don't do this toy justice: it is one of the most beautiful items in my collection, and represents one of the high points of my collecting hobby. This 12 inch long German-made Noah's Ark dates from between 1850 and 1880. The set features Mr. and Mrs. Noah along with 2 sons and their wives and 29 pairs of animals. Included in the menagerie are horses, cows, lions, elephants, cats, pigs, birds, deer, what I think are moles, and many other tiny little animals.

In quiet moments, I like to hold the ark and imagine its long history: from the German village where it was turned and carved out of wood from the great forests; to its perilous journey across the Atlantic in a steamship, packed in crates full of other wonderful toys; to its time as a plaything for some happy children, now long gone...this is a toy that has seen a lot of history.

Antique Christmas Doll

It's always a happy event finding any great antique toy, but finding one in unplayed with condition and with provenance is especially thrilling. This doll has all these features, and was one of my happiest discoveries ever.

The 14 inch German made Armand Marseille bisque head doll is their common 390 model, but she's made uncommon by her condition, which is factory mint. She wears her original dress and undergarments (still tacked to her papier-mache and composition body), shoes, and bonnet with never-untied ribbons. And she comes in her original box, which even has its waxed paper lining.

As if this wasn't enough wonderfulness, she also comes with her provenance. The original owner's name, Nona Douglass, is pencilled on the box lid, and inside the box is a Christmas postcard to Nona dated 1915, bearing this message:
"December 18 1915: Dear Nona: How are you getting along. I suppose you are a nice big girl. I hope Santa brings you a nice doll. Tell mama I will send her a card later and a letter. I have been very sick. I haven't been out since 8 of Oct. I am lots better but can't go down street yet. I can't buy any presents this year. With love to all and a Merry Xmas, Mrs. Barry."
I'm guessing Mrs. Barry did indeed manage to do her Christmas shopping, sent this doll for Nona, and it was secreted away until Christmas.

As much as I love this doll and the condition it's in, I do wonder why it was never played with. Was it only brought out during the holidays, with its play carefully supervised? Was Nona an early version of today's MIB Barbie fanatics? Or was she an Edwardian-era tomboy, fiercely resistant to all toys domestic?
Sadly, the usual reason antique toys are found in mint condition is because their young owners met with untimely ends, not an uncommon occurrence in days gone by...but I prefer to think of Nona tucking this doll in the attic, before heading off to the sandlot to play baseball with the boys.

Antique American Teddy Bear

I just bought...oops, I mean, Santa just delivered early...this adorable antique teddy bear! He's got a lot of wear, and will need to go to the teddy bear restorer, but I just couldn't resist his cute face. His big nose and low-set ears give him great charm, and he has such a gentle expression. He's American-made, by Ideal, from around 1907 - 1908. I've named him Burgess, after Burgess Meredith, who also had quite a prominent schnoz.

Victorian Doll Trunk Full of Toys

A few months ago I mentioned a wonderful Victorian doll trunk filled with its original owner's toys that I was going to buy for Christmas. Well, it's here now, and it's awesome!

The trunk dates from the 1880s, and the toys are from the same time period, up through the early 1900s. The trunk measures 16 inches wide by 9 inches tall, and is made of lithographed paper over wood with metal trim. There's a tray inside, under which is the main compartment.

Inside the trunk are: 2 small dolls, including a 7 inch German bisque head with tiny blue glass sleep eyes, a beautiful mohair wig, and a composition body, and a 6 inch French Unis doll of similar make; a wooden doll table with a handmade linen tablecloth featuring a "pulled work" design and a miniature tea set; a handstitched needle case (probably the child owner's project); handmade dolly stockings; a gorgeous green silk doll bonnet covered in delicate lace; an 18 inch tall Armand Marseille Mabel doll with lots of play damage, but in her factory original outfit, with beautiful brown glass eyes; and a lovely German made children's tea set.

Each toy individually is a wonderful item, but this is definitely a case where the sum of the total is greater than its parts. For all these toys to have stayed together for over 100 years, safely tucked away in their trunk by their original owner, is amazing. As I look at these toys, I feel I've been given a glimpse into the world of the little girl who owned them so long ago.

1900s Children's Tea Set with Original Box

Santa came early to my house this month, and brought this!

Children's and dolly tea sets were made in such profusion from the mid 1800s all the way through the 1960s that the variety is seemingly endless, and boxed sets are still findable. This is my third such set so far, and the biggest yet. Made in Germany in the early 1900s, it has settings for a party of six, along with a squat little 3 1/4 inch teapot and a lovely creamer. Sadly, the set lost its sugar bowl along the way, but that's okay, because it has retained its wonderful box, 13 inches wide, covered with fantastic illustrations of children at play.

Scary Santas

I love holiday paraphernalia, and I especially enjoy discovering unusual items. Such as these Santas...our modern Santa is a friendly, jolly guy, but historically, there were a lot of creepy versions.

First up: this old book. Something just appears...off...about Santa's expression. I don't know what look the artist was going for here, but I don't think he intended it to be "crazy eyes." Santa looks rather like he's considering cooking and eating this child, doesn't he? (click the picture to see the horribleness in greater detail...)



Next, from my collection of vintage plastic Santas: this 14 inch example we refer to as "Ecstasy Claus," with his drug-induced, hyper-dilated pupils. Sometimes I have to turn him around, he creeps me out so much.




















Lastly, this huge 3 1/2 foot plastic motorized 1950s Santa: he's hinged at the waist, and when operating, we think it's meant to appear as if he is doubling over with laughter as he "ho-ho-hos". But the effect is more one of a severe back cramp, or perhaps stomach pain, possibly even a heart attack, as his hands are clasped to his chest. Click below for video.

Victorian Cabinet Full of Antique Toys

I just got one of my Christmas presents early, and couldn't wait to post it: a Victorian secretary with its original finish, in a great petite size. I'm using it to store and display my dollhouses, doll furniture, and doll tea sets, dishes, and play food. The Dunham's Cocoanut Dollhouse fits perfectly into the side cabinet, with room left at the top for some china dolls and their dining room set. The various cupboards, drawers, and pigeonholes house the rest, while my lithographed dollhouse and Noah's Ark found a spot above the desk.

Antique Christmas Postcards

Here are a couple of antique Christmas postcards from my collection. The first one features a great image of a toy-filled sleigh pulled by a rocking horse, while the second is a more subtle design, of Santa flying over a cozy village. Both are from 1906.

Old Photographs: Children With Toys

I'm always on the lookout for old photos of children with toys. They make nice accessory pieces to a toy collection, plus they're just interesting items in their own right. I usually set up a display of several at Christmas time. Here are a few of my favorites. (Click on the pictures to see them in more detail.)


This first picture is of my friend Ron, who can be seen here in about 1939 - 1940 driving his pedal car down a street in his Detroit neighborhood.


I don't know who this little girl is, but I love her bobbed haircut, funky boots, and stuffed doggie. Circa the 1920s.


This last picture is considerably older, probably around 1900. Two sisters in fancy dresses posed for a studio portrait, with another stuffed dog.

Antique Doll Chamber Set

Just found this wonderful doll-sized chamber set, dating from the late 1800s - early 1900s. Includes a pitcher (4 inches tall), chamber pot, soap dish, and toothbrush holder. The porcelain appears to be handpainted, and the set was probably made in Germany.

Looking at the chamber pot makes me really grateful for modern plumbing...

Victorian Dolls Tea Set

Along with the larger doll-sized dinner dishes shown in the post below, I found this wonderful miniature tea set, still in its original box.
Made in Germany around 1880, these sets were churned out rapidly and are consequently rather crude, but still quite charming.
Sized for small dolls or children's play, the set includes 6 cups and saucers along with a teapot and creamer. Each teacup is 1 inch tall.
The box lid, though faded with age, still bears its original lithographed label portraying little girls at a tea party.

German Matchbox Kitchen

This tiny carved wooden kitchen in a matchbox measures just 2 1/4 inches wide. It was made in Germany circa the 1920s, and features a lithographed label and interior background. It was part of a series of similar matchbox dioramas including butcher shops, apothecaries, butcher shops, sewing rooms, and more. It's so tiny and delicate, it's amazing to see how well it has survived these many years.