I've spent (far too much) time recently looking online at vintage Fisher Price toys. It started with the realisation that the lovely Fisher Price horse that I had as a child, that Little Miss C is now playing with is over thirty years old. I hadn't really thought about it as that before.
This particular French site (Little Vintage) has some lovely stuff on (including my horse!) and combined with the 1930s Housewife Challenge that may bloggers are currently undertaking it has really made me want to make sure that LMC gets to experience many of these old fashioned toys, rather than becoming addicted to ones that require batteries and make huge amounts of noise.
I'm always looking out for old things in charity shops and today a trip over to Harpenden to meet with a friend gave me the opportunity to make the most of the selection there which always seems to be so much better than what's available in St Albans.
The Posting Box shape sorter is adorable, but no where near as much so as the almost doll like little girl on the box. The box states that it is copyrighted 1966 and looking into the history of Merit toys and J & L Randall, the company behind them, it seems that they were particularly known for producing toys in the 50s and 60s.
Inside the box was still the leaflet outlining the whole nursery toy range of which the Posting Box was part. Some of the toys on it are ones where similar modern day equivalents are readily available, whilst others are a little stranger.
The second thing I found was a bit stranger, but equally lovely and vintage – round carousel bells: basically eight metal bells arranged on a plastic centre piece. All tuned perfectly and make a lovely clear sound when struck with the hammer. It's a bit old for LMC to play with herself, but she was fascinated when I played on it. She generally loves all things musical and we easily spend time picking out tunes together on the piano. It's definitely one to hang on to until she's a bit older, and bring out occasionally to keep her entertained.
There are plenty more finds I've made recently to share with you soon – more toys and books!
Vintage toys are hard to find nowadays. Vintage toys are not only one of the most popular collectibles in the antique field but also have an excellent investment track record.
I remember my cousin having a complete set of the G.I. Joe toys, original Lego, Transformers, etc. The materials being used to manufacture toys are mostly made of plastics.
Interested to find your article about Merit Toys. I worked for Jack and Lena Randall in the 1960’s at the Potters Bar Factory and offices(J & L Randall Ltd).Whilst many tin toys were imported from Japan and Hong Kong, often robots and space items which were then very innotative then, they also produced some great quality nursery toys of their own at the factory in Potters Bar.Kind regards, Roger
Roger Haynes. Roger I am carrying out some research into J & L Rnadall and was intrested to see that you woked fro them in Potters Bar. Can yoy rcall the exact address of the fatory and offices . Kinfd regards. John Wiffen