The Art of Play: A German Plush Cat, 1930

German Toy Cat
Mohair, c. 1930
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Made in Germany by an unknown company in the 1930s, this darling toy cat is constructed of light mohair plush. The mohair has been clipped and further streaked with darker tones in lines on the head, face and body.

This cat’s head is jointed at the neck so that it can swivel. His nose, mouth and front paws are embroidered with pink threads. Furthermore, his green and black eyes are glass. The tail, is partly stitched to the body in order for it to remain loose and, therefore, more realistic. 

The Art of Play: The Merrythought Mohair Chicken, 1935

Toy Chicken
Mohair and felt
Merrythought, 1935
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Britain’s Merrythought Toys first opened as an independent concern in 1930 with a factory in Ironbridge, Shropshire. However the Merrythought name first began in 1919 when one W.G. Holmes went into partnership with a G.H Laxton.  Together, they manufactured, in a small spinning mill, a special mohair yarn for the use in making toys.  When the toy factory opened in 1935, Merrythough poached man y of the employees from Chad Valley Toys.

Florence Atwood, Merrythoughts chief toy designer was hearing impaired and mute.  During a time when such persons often could not find employment, W.G. Holmes welcomed her into his concern.  There, she produced the entire range of toys for the first Merrythought line in 1931 and remained their chief designer for Merrythought until her death in 1949.

The company is still in operation.

Here, we see an early Merrythought toy in the form of a plush mohair hen with a beak, tail and feathers that are all made out of padded felt.  The Merrythought logo is sewn underneath on a cream label and reads, “MERRYTHOUGHT, HYGIENIC TOYS, MADE IN ENGLAND.”

The Art of Play: A German Plush Cat, 1930

German Toy Cat
Mohair, c. 1930
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Made in Germany by an unknown company in the 1930s, this darling toy cat is constructed of light mohair plush. The mohair has been clipped and further streaked with darker tones in lines on the head, face and body.

This cat’s head is jointed at the neck so that it can swivel. His nose, mouth and front paws are embroidered with pink threads. Furthermore, his green and black eyes are glass. The tail, is partly stitched to the body in order for it to remain loose and, therefore, more realistic. 

The Art of Play: A German Plush Cat, 1930

German Toy Cat
Mohair, c. 1930
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Made in Germany by an unknown company in the 1930s, this darling toy cat is constructed of light mohair plush. The mohair has been clipped and further streaked with darker tones in lines on the head, face and body.

This cat’s head is jointed at the neck so that it can swivel. His nose, mouth and front paws are embroidered with pink threads. Furthermore, his green and black eyes are glass. The tail, is partly stitched to the body in order for it to remain loose and, therefore, more realistic. 

The Art of Play: The Merrythought Mohair Chicken, 1935

Toy Chicken
Mohair and felt
Merrythought, 1935
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Britain’s Merrythought Toys first opened as an independent concern in 1930 with a factory in Ironbridge, Shropshire. However the Merrythought name first began in 1919 when one W.G. Holmes went into partnership with a G.H Laxton.  Together, they manufactured, in a small spinning mill, a special mohair yarn for the use in making toys.  When the toy factory opened in 1935, Merrythough poached man y of the employees from Chad Valley Toys.

Florence Atwood, Merrythoughts chief toy designer was hearing impaired and mute.  During a time when such persons often could not find employment, W.G. Holmes welcomed her into his concern.  There, she produced the entire range of toys for the first Merrythought line in 1931 and remained their chief designer for Merrythought until her death in 1949.

The company is still in operation.

Here, we see an early Merrythought toy in the form of a plush mohair hen with a beak, tail and feathers that are all made out of padded felt.  The Merrythought logo is sewn underneath on a cream label and reads, “MERRYTHOUGHT, HYGIENIC TOYS, MADE IN ENGLAND.”

Object of the Day: Victorian Manicure Set

At first glance, this elegantly shaped chartreuse mohair case appears to hold something very precious—some jewel or an object of great importance. Upon opening it, however, one’s quite surprised to see that it holds a rather vicious-looking manicure set.

As I’ve pointed out, the prevalent mentality of the craftsman during Queen Victoria’s reign was to give as much importance and beauty to everything. Things like vanity items were no exception. Nestled in sprig green silk, silver implements with mother-of-pearl handles flank a pair of dangerously blunt scissors. To be frank, I have no idea how most of these tools would be used. However, after some research, they do appear to be intended to be employed in the upkeep of one’s fingernails. I’ll pass on that.

However, what this attractive set lacks in comfort, it more than makes up for in visual appeal. It certainly beats those stainless steel clippers you can buy at the drugstore—which, if you think about it, appear rather vicious themselves.