German Toys in America
On view in the Joanne L. and Philip D. Wolfe Gallery
This exhibition was made possible through the generosity of Don and Elaine Bogus
This exhibition features a colorful variety of 19th-century German wooden toys from dolls and soldiers to arks and animals. During the period, around two thirds of the toys in American shops came from Germany. Known as The Toy Workshop of the World and The Land of Toys, Germany dominated the toy market for most of the 19th-century. American toy sellers ordered their merchandise through illustrated catalogs or sent agents to Germany who personally selected the best stock with which they filled their shelves.
Children played house with dolls, waged battles with soldiers, reenacted the great flood with an ark full of animals, created towns, and managed their own zoos. On view is a rare 1840s German toy catalog featuring over 2000 color illustrations. Next to this, visitors can digitally flip the pages of this catalog to see every toy.
Set of Mounted Soldiers, Europe, Germany, 1830-1890, wood, composition, paint, paper, 8¼ x 5⅞ x 2⅜in, 1962.1200.7,1-5
Noah’s Ark, Europe, Germany, 1830-1870, wood, paint, gesso, 15½ x 23½ x 6 ¾in, Gift of Anonymous Donors, 1971-810,1-190
Duck and Ducklings, Europe, Germany, 1840-1880, composition, wood, wire, leather, paint, 4 5/16 x 3 ¾in, Bequest of Mrs. Effie Thixton Arthur, 1979.1200.15
Ship, Europe, Germany, 1930-1880, wood, paint, paper, string, 8½ x 8 x 2in, Gift of Anonymous Donors, 1971-86
Rare 1840s German Toy Catalog
Known as The Toy Workshop of the World and The Land of Toys, Germany dominated the toy market for most of the 19th-century. American toy sellers ordered their merchandise through illustrated catalogs or sent agents to Germany who personally selected the best stock with which they filled their shelves. This exhibition features a colorful variety of 19th-century German wooden toys from dolls and soldiers to arks and animals.
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