Blogs

From the collection, two closely-related catapult games 1920's-30's.

The game's object is to shoot a clown figure from a flexible steel launcher onto a rotating wooden spinner. The clown's wire arms catch the spinner's wires; the launcher's action is adjustable using a wingnut and bolt.

Our friend Ginger Hutto was delighted to see my vintage battery-op boat "Ginger" on a visit to Edisto Island. Alas, when it was powered up on the blackwater canal, it only ran... backwards! Oh well. Read on!

From the collection, a few of my table and board games from the Golden Era. My favorites are the ones with wooden parts.

The Stratego example (10th down from the top) is much sought-after with the original wood pieces, replaced by plastic shortly after the game was introduced in 1961. The RISK set was purchased in mint unplayed condition, we loved it growing up and still do!

From the collection, a beautiful vintage (mid-modern) marble game of striking design and unknown manufacture. It's the only one I've seen. I'm sure there are more as it is a manufactured toy and not a craft example.

From tiny to a whole lot bigger, these vintage sets provide the building blocks of creative play for people of all ages (3 & up).

The smallest is stamped MiNi BAUKASTEN (Construction Kit) and labeled LOQUAI W. Germany (now ID'ed as LOQUAI HOLZKUNST) and is composed of mostly solid parts with a +2mm plywood sliding top and fixed (glued) plied bottom.

From the collection, a near-mint boxed Takraw Game Set by Sportcraft. The patent was registered on September 15th, 1959. Billed as the "New Game Sensation" it was very popular in the 60's in our Chicago neighborhood and beyond.

From the collection, here we have a handsome balancing/action toy purchased from a contact in the UK.

Signed "U. Pulford" in ink, this toy's classic form and elegant fabrication from quality materials are emblematic of English small-shop traditions of the early 20th century.

Once spun, the figure traverses the bars in slow loops and then rocks back and forth for up to five minutes!

Notes:

A favorite of mine in the collection is this splendid riding horse, monumental in appearance at a modest height of just 23"!

Her condition is battered and bedraggled, but as with all successful designs that doesn't detract a bit from her exceptional charm. The carved initials and obvious repairs are reminders that this was once some child's well-used dream steed.

Notes:

Pedal horse

First marketed in 1918, John Lloyd Wright’s Lincoln Logs remain one of the most iconic (and copied) building toys in history. From the collection, here’s the real thing from- yes- Frank Lloyd Wright’s son, John.

A bit of background. John Lloyd Wright, Frank’s second son (b. 1892) achieved his own measure of architectural success in spite of his father’s domineering interference.

Not always. Sometimes- usually- play is hard work.

"People tend to forget that play is serious."  David Hockney