West Wales Museum of Childhood
+44 1559 370428

In The Virtual Museum tonight : A diecast metal model of "GENEVIEVE" star of the movie of the same name, released in 1953. This model has plastic wheels and should have two plastic figures. Made in England by Lone Star and part of their Roadmaster range. The car is a 1904 Darracq and can be found in different colour schemes. A very early example of post war licensed merchandise. Hilary and Paul.

In The Virtual Museum tonight : A boxed set of branded "Misfits" Head Lights. Bought by Paul in Chicago in the year 2000, this is a novelty set of party lights, a tribute to the American band The Misfits. The skull ( Crimson Ghost/Fiend Skull ) is one of their logos and appears on dozens of items of merchandise from T shirts to posters.The music is an interesting mix of Punk and Horror. Paul saw them perform at The Foundry club in Birmingham back in the 1990s. He did not get into the moshing pit! The lights were marketed by NECA of Kenilworth, New Jersey, (c) copyrighted to cyclopian music inc, made in China and cost $19.99. Hilary and Paul.

In the Virtual Museum tonight : Four hound dogs. Likely carved from lime wood by Frank Whittington ( related to THE Dick Whittington ) for Forest Toys of Brockenhurst in The Forest of Dean. The range included many equestrian subjects, mounted huntsmen, wagons, drays, gypsy caravans etc. In production from 1922 to 1939. Hilary and Paul.

Tonight, in The Virtual Museum : A clip together , elastic band driven, model aircraft. Made by D. Sebel & Company Limited ( trade name MOBO ) at West Street in Erith, Kent. This was an improvement on the standard "all balsa" models, having a blown plastic fuselage making the model more robust. Likely early to mid 1960s and something different from Sebels, who are better known for their pressed steel ride-on toys. This example is complete but shop soiled and found many years ago, in an old shop storeroom in Atherstone, in the days when Hilary and Paul would travel around, hunting out old toy shop stock. Those were the days!

In The Virtual Museum tonight : SUBBUTEO. The original authentic table top soccer game. Our edition is likely mid 1950s. It has celluloid players on plastic stands. We think the footballs are later, but as with many toys, replacement parts were added when "parts" went up Mother's Hoover. The toy was invented , produced and marketed by Peter A Adolph who had served in the Royal Air Force during WW2 ( that must have been interesting with a name like that ) :). He ran the operation from his home at Langton Green, Tunbridge Wells in Kent and his first sets were sold via mail order and also at shows. There were other sporting subjects covered by the range, like Rugger and Cricket, but the soccer toy remains, today, the front runner. Hilary and Paul.

In the Virtual Museum tonight : Cairngorm MacWomble from the 1970s T.V. show The Wombles of Wimbledon Common. This Womble was made by British toy maker Pedigree ( Sindy Dolls). They made a variety of Wombles and this one is marked : (c ) 1973 Filmfair BBC Enterprises. Hilary and Paul.

In The Virtual Museum tonight. Two cast metal road signs, part of the Museum's collection. On the left is the torch of knowledge, Occasionally, the flames may be found to be picked out in red. This sign could also be found near to a library. On the right is a cattle sign and the general graphics of this sign have changed little, whereas the school sign is now two blobby children. Originally, these signs would have been mounted on posts with horizontal black and white stripes.... The cast signs have all but vanished from our roads, being replaced by sheet aluminum composite with printed graphics that have a reflective surface. The reflectivity has a life span and modern signs are date marked on the rear with a "change" code. There is a certain charm that comes with vintage signage and road signs can also bring a touch of nostalgia. Hilary and Paul. See more

In the Virtual Museum tonight : Bill and Ben The Flower Pot Men. These are from the re-launch of the show, back in 2000. Made in China for HASBRO. Not the original Flower Pot Men, having been up-dated, but a child who played with these and watched the show, would now be thinking about going to University. Tempus Fugit ! Hilary and Paul.

In The Virtual Museum tonight : MARIA from Metropolis, the futuristic, silent movie from 1926. This model, complete with electric throne, was part of a series of silent film classic figures, issued in 2001 ( 19 years ago!) released by The Mezco toy company in a series called "Silent Screamers" with the sub title "Reel Masters". Hilary and Paul.

In The Virtual Museum tonight : Canoodling on the river. Here we have assembled a variety of first nation Americans ( and Davy Crockett ) all in their respective canoes. A variety of different manufacturers are shewn here, mostly poly plastic, but there is one diecast canoe at the front. Many Boys in the 1950s were brought up on the wild west and the toy makers certainly provided ample figures to re enact scenes from the half hour Western Shows on T.V. and the big screen movies. Looks like some big medicine fur hunting, going on here. Hilary and Paul.

In the Virtual Museum tonight : Willy Whiskers ( no tittering please) :) . A simple but pleasing toy , simply moving iron filings around with a magnet. This example, made by J & L Randall, trading as Merit Toy Company, was produced in 1964 at their Potters Bar factory, Merit House, in Southgate Road. Merit began manufacturing in 1940 at Merit House, 67 Bunhill Row, London, but were "bombed out" and moved to Hertfordshire, where they continued trading until closure in 1978.

In the Virtual Museum tonight : Admiral James T. Kirk. Articulated 8" action figure made by Mego ( pronounced meego) and a brand new release "The wrath of Khan". Mego have issued several Star Trek figures in a "new wave". Our museum collection is always kept up to date with new merchandise, although there is never the space ( final frontier) to collect everything that is "new". Friends may recall the Star Trek figures released by Mego and marketed by Palitoy, back in the 1970s. Item stock number is 62872. Hilary and Paul.

In The Virtual Museum tonight. Lesney giftware set " Golden Veterans" Containing Y7 Rolls-Royce, Y13 Daimler and Y14 Maxwell. This is the "first issue" set from August 1970 and likely aimed at getting "Dad" interested in collecting Models of Yesteryear. The ideal Father's Day gift. This set sits nicely with the Gift Wear range from Lesney that included ash trays, cigarette boxes, pipe holders, old pub signs and many other novelties, some with Yesteryear models attached. Hilary and Paul.

In The Virtual Museum tonight : Tom & Jerry tin plate loco with plastic fittings. Battery operated with clashing cymbals and mystery action. Made in the Louis Marx toy factory, in the Crown Colony of Hong Kong in 1973. Stock number : HK5051. Hilary and Paul.

In The Virtual Museum tonight : John Lennon's Roll-Royce. A Dinky Toy diecast metal model, totally hand painted by Museum Curator, Hilary Kennelly.

In The Virtual Museum tonight : "Political Paws" . Hague, Blair and Brown. Rubber doggy toy with built in squeaker. Made in England by Armitage Brothers PLC of Colwick, Nottingham. No date found but likely inspired by Spitting Image T.V, satirical show. A "good boy- rubber toy". Each packed in their individual boxes. Hilary and Paul.

In the Virtual Museum tonight : Queen Elizabeth 11 plastic souvenir doll, made for the 1953 Coronation and marketed by ROGARK who had a small "factory" at a house called Penholm on the Bangor road in Penmaenmawr. The plastic doll bodies were made in two halves at John Prior plastics of Colwyn Bay. These were then sent to outworkers to be assembled. The clothes were made on site at Penholm and the dolls dressed there. Other outworkers did the wigs etc. There were 23 Rogark body styles and 40 different outfits. Our Queen doll is marked "made in Wales, Great Britain" Hilary and Paul.

In The Virtual Museum tonight is Snowy, a loveable Bear who lives in the Museum Tea Room and gets lots of cwtch from the visitors. Snowy ( the Polar Bear) stands twenty six inches high and is wearing an out fit knitted for him by a lady called Edith. Snowy was made by Wendy Boston toys, who began trading in South Wales in 1945 and had factories at Crickhowell and Abergavenny .In 1954 they introduced a new line of soft toys that were washable and had safety plastic eyes. Innovative at the time.In 1968 Denys Fisher took the company over and it closed in 1976. Because the bears were stuffed with a rubber compound, it is said that you could wash a Wendy Boston bear and run it through the mangle. Hilary and Paul.

ARCHIVE of Virtual Museum image posts

In the Virtual Museum tonight : State Coach made by JOHILLCO ( John Hill & Company) in 1935 to celebrate King George V Jubilee. Delightful period Art Deco presentation box. Coach and figures all made from lead. The factory was in Britannia Road, Islington, London and was bombed out during the second world war. This model was purchased by us in 1975 and cost 1.50. Hilary and Paul.

Tonight in The Virtual Museum, yet another item from our collection. A child's "school bag" themed on Thunderbirds, the popular puppet show from the 1960s, that saw a new lease of life, when in the early 1990s the episodes were released on VHS video tape.This gave rise to a brand new audience ( but included misty eyed parents). What followed was a deluge of merchandise, most famously The Thunderbirds Island. What we have here tonight, is a sturdy bag, made in 1992 by DEKKERTOYS at their factory in St. Albans. The company also made "dress-up" suits and these included Thunderbirds outfits, Capt Scarlet and Stingray. Hilary and Paul.

In the Virtual Museum tonight : A hand made, miniature "GILBERT" / "MATCH" Rugby football, likely made by Peter Prince, who also makes the full size vintage pattern balls at The Webb Ellis Rugby Football Museum in Rugby, Warwickshire. These "baby balls" were sold as souvenirs for Museum visitors. Hilary and Paul.

In the Virtual Museum tonight, we have ACTION GIRL, made by Palitoy in their factory at Coalville, Leicestershire. Palitoy were famous for making Action Man and saw an opportunity to cash in with a product aimed at girls. This particular version is " Dancing Action Girl" who was released in 1974 and came with a floppy vinyl disc that has special tunes for her to dance to. The doll can be moved at the waist to simulate dancing. Hilary and Paul.

In the Virtual Museum tonight : A vintage BAGPUSS pyjama case made in England for BOOTS stores. C 1970s. Bagpuss has a plastic domed former inside that keeps his shape and a zip underneath to pop your jim jams in for safe keeping. Bagpuss was the title character from a joint Oliver Postgate/ Peter Firmin "Smallfilms" stop-go animation made for childrens television and first shown in 1974. "a saggy old cloth cat, baggy and loose at the seams, but Emily loved him." Hilary and Paul.

All of the treasures that we show, in our Virtual Museum, are from our lifelong collection. Tonight we have for you a pair of Spitting Image slippers "Sleeping Partners" with H.M. The Queen and Prince Philip.These were made in Korea and marketed in the United Kingdom by Linden Cards and Gifts of Basford, Nottingham and are marked (c) copyright Spitting Image Productions Limited 1988. There were also a pair of Charles and Diana and Margaret Thatcher and Neil Kinnock available at the time.. We have other Spitting Image merchandise, including squeaky dog toys. Observers will notice that on the slipper, The Queen has been demoted to HRH. Hilary and Paul.

In the Virtual Museum tonight : Early 1950s Police Patrol Motorcyclist. Hard plastic, gyro motor. No makers mark, but states "made in Great Britain". It is American in style, so could be Louis Marx, but with no trade mark, it could also easily be Mettoy. Both manufacturers were on the Fforestfach Industrial Estate in Swansea. Early plastic toys are hard to find, easily broken, they mostly ended up in landfill sites. Hilary and Paul.

In the Virtual Museum tonight : Funny Jungleland moving pictures. Another very delicate item from the collection, vulnerable to fading and therefore never been on display. Dated 1909 , the first edition issued in 1907, this is the very first "free Gift" that Kelloggs gave away. W.K. Kellogg had Welsh lineage and "Kellogg" is the Welsh word for Cockerel, hence there has always been a Cockerel on the cereal packet. Pages of the booklet are sliced on the horizontal with an assortment of heads, tails and bits between, giving endless combinations of wacky characters. It's interesting that the words "moving pictures" is used as at that time, movies were becoming the rage. Hilary and Paul.

Follow up to the Fonzie post. The back of the card.

In The Virtual Museum tonight : A reprise. A couple of months or so ( or more... after all, what now is time ? :) ) We posted an image of Evel Knievel on his stunt motor cycle. Today, the box and energiser came to light, so we are posting all of them together, as the box artwork is just as much fun as the toy and the energiser will have memories for those who "drove the stunt bike". The box declares that Evel was the King of stuntmen and the toy has "true cycle action, will jump, wheelie and races at top speed for over 100 feet". The price tag is clearly visible and at 8.99 in 1975, this was not a cheap toy. A gyro provides the power ( via a small person cranking the handle) and the toy was made in England at the Ideal Toy co factory in Wokingham, Berkshire. The figure of Evel was made in the Crown colony of Hong Kong. Hilary and Paul.

Tonight in The Virtual Museum and from our collection, we have The Fonz. From the popular t.v. show "Happy Days" this action figure was produced in the Crown Colony of Hong Kong and released in 1976. Paramount Pictures have the copyright and it was marketed in Great Britain by Wiggins Teape Toys and Crafts Limited. It is based on the actor Henry Winkler and the stock number is 63000. Hilary and Paul.

In The Virtual Museum tonight : Mickey Mouse "kelly dolls"...." knock 'em over and they bounce back up". Made in Hong Kong for Gabriel Industries Incorporated, Elmwood Park, New jersey and dated 1976. Marked " (C) Copyright Walt Disney Characters. Likely part of a skittles type game. More research needed. Weighted high impact plastic. Hilary and Paul.

Tonight, in the Virtual Museum, we have a fine set of pins, that illustrate the many different designs of the Rover company's badges, beginning with the Rover Cycle through to the Rover bonnet badge, in use in the 1990s. This superb set was made to mark 90 years of the company in 1994 and it is the first time it has been shown by the museum. The set was kindly donated by the then public relations executive with Rover cars, Denis Chick. Hilary and Paul.

In The Virtual Museum tonight : A 1980s plastic "Tune a Bear" radio, made in Hong Kong. There are two wheel controls, one inside each of the bear's ears. One is the on-off and the other, the tuner. Branded "Tunic" it bears ( :) ) a slight resemblance to the 1980 Moscow Olympics mascot bear "MICHA". This may be deliberate or coincidental. There were other novelty radios in the range including an apple, a penguin, a bull dog and a tomato.

In the Virtual Museum tonight : A pair of "Ramp Walkers". Plastic, Hong Kong but no maker's mark. Either Louis Marx or copies. Hong Kong were well known for "ripping off" other manufacturers designs. The Cat has four legs with convex feet and a ball as a stabilizer. Donald has two legs with convex feet and the wheel on the barrow acts as a stabilizer. Place on a ( say ) thirty degree ramp and given a tap, they begin to wobble and gravity brings them down the ramp. Similar toys may be found, that have a string and a weight attached to the front to provide motive power, the weight dangling over a table edge. As Donald has (C) copyright Walt Disney, he is likely licensed and therefore probably Marx. There were many such toys made and would make an attractive collection if displayed well. Hilary and Paul.