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Toys, Games, Rocking Horses and Memorabilia from Days Gone By - Victoria & Albert Museum of Childhood
Originally published in April 2007 in American in Britain Magazine
The charm of childhood toys has endured through the ages. The Museum of Childhood, a branch of the Victoria & Albert Museum, houses an extraordinary historical collection.
Most everyone is fascinated with toys and antique lovers are no exception. Some of us may even have surreptitiously kept our favourites - dolls, railways sets or whatever - and stashed them away on the back of a shelf. It’s like storing memories from the past, knowing that re-discovering these treasured objects will bring back that imaginary world of our childhood. The charm of toys endures. It hardly matters if you are grandparents, parents or have children who are still at school. If you find yourself wondering what happened to those much-loved play things, plan a visit to the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green where you will encounter a marvellous collection of toys, teddy bears, games, dolls’ houses and much more.The building opened officially in 1872 as a branch of the Victoria and Albert Museum. But it was not until 1974 that it specialised in the history of childhood. Today it houses the V&A’s collection of children’s costumes, books, nursery items, art and furniture alongside the Museum’s extensive collection of toys. Closed for a year, the Museum of Childhood re-opened to rave reviews in December 2006 having had a £4.7m transformation including a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £3.5m. This historic collection dates from the 16th century to the present day. There is literally something for everyone: permanent and temporary exhibits, interactive areas, an education programme for schools, community art and craft workshops, a café, learning centre, and a comprehensive website.
Antiques feature in several categories and the dolls’ houses are particularly outstanding. Seen here is the Nuremberg Dolls’ House, 1673, the oldest house in the museum and very similar to the houses in the Germanisches National Museum in Nuremberg, Germany. Made of carved wood and mixed media, it served an important role as a visual aid for young girls in learning domestic skills. The four elaborately furnished rooms represent period décor reflecting the social status of the occupants. The house itself is comfortable, with a well-equipped 'best' kitchen downstairs on the left which was used to entertain guests. By contrast, the contemporary Kaleidoscope Dolls’ House, 2002, designed by architect Peter Wheelwright and artist Laurie Simmons, is a recent acquisition and illustrates a modern minimalist lifestyle. The museum holds many dolls’ houses, and it is fascinating to examine them in terms of their different architectural and interior designs. Pictured here are three examples which you will find in a large glass case on the mezzanine floor.
Highly collectable teddy bears, dolls and toy theatres from days gone by are delightful reminders of what you might find in grandma’s toy chest. Don’t be surprised if you find a much-loved teddy like this well-worn Teddy Bear, circa 1905, from the firm of William J Terry, one of the first to manufacture teddy bears in the UK. He is the Museum’s earliest bear. Circa 1870, the Young Girl Doll, by Henry Pierotti English, was made by the wax doll making company founded by Domenico Pierotti in the 1790s and given to the V&A by the feminist and trade unionist, Muriel Pierotti. Look again: you might find a toy theatre like the one pictured here. Imagine productions of Victorian plays that took place in this one, circa 1850. It was made in Vienna by the famous toy theatre maker, Matthias Trentsensky.
A wide variety of games are on display in the exhibits; many are classics. They fall into categories such as board games, cards, table and outdoor games, puzzles, mechanical and optical. One of America’s favourite board games, Monopoly, was first published in the United States in 1936 by Parker Brothers and was granted license to publish in Britain in the same year. Below is a brief explanation of the origins of Monopoly which will interest readers:
In 1904, Lizzie Magie, a Quaker woman from Virginia, patented a board game called The Landlord's Game. Lizzie belonged to a tax movement led by Henry George who argued that renting land increased land values and profited only a few individuals - the landlords. Lizzie wanted to use her game as a teaching device for George's ideas. The Landlord's Game and Monopoly are very similar. (From Museum’s website- see ‘Games’ section for a fuller history of this game.)
Snakes and Ladders has been a popular race game in Britain for over one hundred years. The board is pictured here. An explanation of the history and morality of this game is elaborated on the website and summarised below.
Snakes and Ladders is probably based upon a very old Indian game called Moksha-Patamu, which was used for religious instruction and had 12 vices but only 4 virtues. According to Hindu teaching, good and evil exist side by side in man: but only virtuous acts - represented by the ladders - will shorten the soul's journey through a series of incarnations to the state of ultimate perfection. Human wrongdoing symbolized by the head of the snake leads to reincarnation in a lower, animal form. (From Museum’s website- see ‘Games’ section for a fuller history of this game.)
Monopoly and Snakes and Ladders illustrate only two of the most common types of games played for fun and learning. Remember, too, card games, puzzles, marbles, and Scrabble; all are featured in the exhibitions. Another favourite way children enjoy learning is by playing with a classic set of ‘Alphabet Nesting Boxes’, seen here. This example is American, circa 1885. Whether made in wood or plastic, blocks or boxes are as common today as they were when first designed in the 17th century. Most children have played with alphabet blocks at some time. They teach young children the rudiments of the alphabet and older children to form words. Babies and toddlers use them to build towers for demolition and help to develop hand-eye co-ordination.
Certain toys have ‘star’ quality – an ageless appeal. Rocking horses fit into this category. The two images here show an early rocking horse and contemporary models in the Museum with girls ‘having a go’. Located on the mezzanine floor, they are very popular and kids queue patiently for their turn. Other ‘stars’ from the late 20th century are cinema figures from the epic science fiction Star Wars series. Memorabilia, pictured here, are treasured figures and vehicles from the six films made from 1977 to 2005. They are highly collectable and still manufactured today, though people are keen to have the originals which can be found from sources such as Ebay. Another highly prized ‘star’ is the model car. They have been made in all sizes and materials and children love them, especially boys. The Museum has a most impressive collection.
Consult the Museum’s user-friendly website even if you cannot get to the Museum. You will find lots of activities for your children to do at home. Check out the ‘Kids’ Pages’ section on the website where you are given information about ‘Things to Do Online’, ‘Things to Make at Home’ and ‘Things to Tell Us’. Better still; take yourself and youngsters along to experience the inviting atmosphere and activities at the Museum of Childhood. A mere three steps from Bethnal Green tube, it’s an easy journey. Whether you travel there by airplane, bus or tube, you will always be welcome. Go along and meet some of your most favoured toys, games and antique memorabilia from days gone by as well as today.
V&A Museum of Childhood - free admission
Cambridge Heath Road
London E2 9PA
Tel: +44 (0)20 8983 5200
Website: www.museumofchildhood.org.uk
Opening Times: Everyday 10:00-17:45. Last admission 17:30
Images Courtesy of the V&A Museum of Childhood
Contact Abby Cronin: Website: www.abbycronin.co.uk
Email: artsjournalist@abbycronin.co.uk
