The
The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and
Printed Ephemera
Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur
Museum, Winterthur, DE 19735
302-888-4600 or 800-448-3883
OVERVIEW OF THE
COLLECTION
Title: Collection of toys and games
Dates: ca.1701-1987
Call No.:
Quantity: ca. 6 cu. ft.
Location: 38 E-F 1-5 and map case 3, drawer 7
SCOPE AND CONTENT
This is an artificial collection formed by gathering
together, toys, card games, board games, and paper dolls that were not already
part of other collections. Further
acquisitions will be added to the collection as received.
LANGUAGE OF MATERIALS
The materials are mostly in English, but also in German, French, Spanish, and Italian.
RESTRICTIONS ON
ACCESS
Collection is open to the public. Copyright restrictions may apply.
ACCESS POINTS
Topics
Toys
Paper toys
Paper dolls
Educational games
Board games
Puzzles
Games
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION
Location: 38 E-F 1-5 and map case 3, drawer 7
67 x 29a-t
Presidential flash cards, 1881.
20 cards: ill. (black & white); 12 cm.
Summary: These flashcards contain black and white
lithographed portraits of the first 20 presidents of the
All items in good condition.
68 x 32
Franc-Macons, [ca. 1730].
1 item: col. ill.
Summary: Peep show depicting a gathering of freemasons. The setting, the inside of a meeting hall, features such scenes as a group of men sitting at a head table, a group looking at a globe, a few men gathered in front of what appears to be nautical instruments, and others standing or sitting at tables talking. Text of title in French.
In a slipcase covered with marbled paper; title from slip
case.
71 x 216.1-.48
Tuttell, Thomas, [fl. 1695‑1702].
Mathematical playing cards, 1701.
48 items: ill.; 9 cm.
Thomas Tuttell was a British mathematical instrument maker
who flourished from 1695‑1702. A
former apprentice to Henry Wynne, Tuttell was a member of the Clockmakers
Company and later was appointed Instrument Maker to the King of England in
1700. In his shops in
Summary: This set of engraved playing cards by Thomas Tuttell, dating 1701, depicts various mathematical instruments and their application to various occupations. The upper right hand corner contains a depiction of a small playing card. The remainder of the card contains the illustration, caption, and the description. Instruments shown include "dyals," cross‑staffs,
compasses, scales, bows, surveying wheels and chains, theodolites, protractors, quadrants, etc. Occupations such as millwrights, bricklayers, shipwrights, and architects are portrayed, and their description includes a mention of the mathematical instruments most commonly used in the trade.
Missing four cards: Ace of Spades, Five of Hearts, King of Diamonds, and Jack of Diamonds.
72 x 357.1-.40
The elements of astronomy and geography: explained on 40
cards beautifully engraved and coloured by the Abbe Paris, 1795. ‑‑
1 set (40 cards): ill.; 10 cm.
Summary: Consists of 40 engraved, numbered, and hand colored
cards in the original box featuring an engraving of a globe and telescope. Each
card features an illustration and explanatory text. For example, several cards depict geometric
shapes with a description of various kinds of measurements (circumference,
angles, diameter, etc.). Another subset
of cards describe groups (Peroescii, Antoeci,
Title on the box.
76 x 198
Wallis, John.
A new map of
1 puzzle (42 pieces): col. ill.
John Wallis operated a map warehouse at No. 16,
Summary: Puzzle with 42 pieces that join together to form a
map of
Title for label.
76 x 429
Leslie, Miss.
History of
1 game (60 cards): ill.
Summary: Includes sixty cards "with labels of five
different shapes and four different colors." Each card contains information about a place
or person in
In original box; top nearly detached. Title from box.
77 x 399
Snyder Bros.
Trolley: the great card game, copyright by Snyder Bros., 1904.
1 game (60 cards): ill. + instruction leaflet.
The Snyder Bros. was a printing and manufacturing firm in
Summary: The instruction leaflet offers rules for nine different games that could be played with Trolley cards. In each version, players use information and illustrations on the cards to make combinations that result in trumps and tricks. Trolley cards, motormen, conductors, fare, passengers, and transfers are depicted. Each card contains a number, a roman number or ace, king, queen, and jack that are used in making matches. Although most of the cards were printed with black ink, the colors red, green, and orange were each used on five cards.
In original box. Title from the box.
79 x 15
Transparent slate.
13 items.
Summary: The transparent slate is a wooden frame with a glass piece. To use, the instructions say: "With a fine pointed Black Lead Pencil trace (on the Glass) over every line of the copy which is underneath; when this is done remove the back of the frame, take out the copy and in place thereof put white paper; then replace the back as it was before. Compare the drawing you
have made with the copy and make any alterations that may be necessary." Also included are twelve pages of engravings that could be used with the slate. Depicted are horses, cows, hens,
the American flag, vignettes, the American eagle, birds, ships, etc.
Glass piece is missing from the slate.
79 x 70
W. and S. B. Ives.
Game of Dr. Busby: improved and illustrated/published by W. and S. B. Ives, 1843.
1 game (20 cards): col. ill.
The firm operated by W. and S. B. Ives was located in
Summary: Consists of twenty hand-colored cards in a cloth slipcase with printed directions for playing the game on the back of the case. The names of the characters depicted on the cards have been written on each of the cards in pencil. Some of the characters are posed, while others are engaged in activities.
Original box; print fading; moderate grime.
Note: compare this game to one in Col. 669 (Thelma Mendsen Collection), acc. 70x130.23-A.7a-k, which is the “Game of Dr. Fusby, M.D.A.S.S.” The Fusby game was printed ca.1880 by McLoughlin Bros. of New York. There are no directions with the Fusby game.
79 x 345
Wooden soldiers, 18th century
4 items: col. ill.
Summary: Consists of four miniature wooden toy soldiers, hand carved and hand painted in the 18th century.
79 x 358
Paper soldiers and horses [ca.1800-ca.1820].
28 items: ill. (col.)
Summary: Consists of twenty-one paper soldiers and seven paper horses. The items were hand-made and hand-colored; playing cards were used as the base material. The soldiers' uniforms indicate that the items date from the Napoleonic period.
Items are mounted on acid-neutral boards; the boards have
been placed in a three-ring binder.
80 x 32.1-.41
Adams, Josiah.
The new world: a game of American history: from discovery to James K. Polk/Josiah Adams, 1845.
1 game (40 cards): ill.; 10 cm.
Josiah Adams was a publisher and bookseller in Brick Church
Chapel,
Summary: Contains forty cards, twenty with engravings of famous people in American history, and clues to their identity. Also contains twenty cards with descriptive questions and answers about the original colonies and first eleven presidents. The object of the game is to match corresponding cards from the two sets. In addition, there is a trade card for Josiah Adams that advertises other games available from him. The original instruction booklet is missing, but a photocopy of the booklet is filed with the game.
Instruction booklet missing; cards in a cloth covered slipcase with gold embossed title and picture of American flag and eagle; slightly worn. (Photocopy of instruction book is filed with the game, acc. 05x98.
80 x 215
Milton Bradley & Co.
The contraband gymnast/published by Milton Bradley & Co., 1872.
1 toy: col. ill.
Summary: Movable toy in a decorative envelope showing possible positions of a black gymnast dressed in a red, white, and blue suit. The item is accompanied by the original horizontal bar upon which he performs.
Title from envelope. Tears in the envelope.
80 x 238
Erotic playing cards / published by Lord Willwell and Lady Cainotware at Pricipoles, [ca. 1870].
1 game (32 cards): col. ill.
Summary: Set of playing cards with eight cards per suit (diamonds, clubs, hearts, and spades). The cards are wrapped in purple tissue paper with a label bearing the names Rowlandson, Beardsely, Bayros, and Uta Maro. The set is identified as number 15 of a limited edition of 1,000 total copies. When the cards are examined under light, scenes of an erotic nature show through the back.
The picture on the nine of hearts is by Aubrey
Beardsley. It is reproduced in the book Erotic
Antiques.
Title from box.
80x271.1
Nassauer-Haus in Nürnberg.
Purchased in
Published by Screiber.
1 leaf and 1 page, attached: ill. (col.)
Summary: Paper model of the Nassauer-Haus in
The text is in German.
80x271.2
Poupées à Habiller, No. 861.
Purchased in
1 leaf: ill.
Summary: Modern copy of a ca.1860 paper doll, the original lithography of which was done by Olivier-Pinot. The modern copy is in black and white. The doll, her dress, and her accessories have front and back views. The accessories include a bonnet, a hat, and two fancy headpices composed of flowers and lace caps.
Although purchased in
80x271.3-.4
Die Freunde aus der Kinderzeit, nro. 226, 227.
Purchased in
Printed by C. Wolf & Sohn and by Braun & Schneider, München.
2 leaves: ill.
Summary: Modern black and white copies of story sheets which were created by E. Ille in 1858. Both sheets depict a variety of wooden toys, including soldiers, animals, a nutcracker, and people. Under the toys are rhyming couplets that say something about what the toys are doing (e.g., the couplet under the stork tells how everyone is waiting to see what the stork has brought).
The text is in German.
81 x 87
F. A. Richter & Co.
Richter's anchor blocks of stone in three colors: known as "stone building blocks"/F. A. Richter & Co., [ca. 1900].
2 boxes of blocks: col. ill. + 3 books of models and 4 sheets of figures.
F. A. Richter & Co. was an importer located at
Summary: Contains two boxes of blocks labeled 10A and 14A designed to supplement the original set of anchor blocks. The blocks are described as "a great educational toy and pastime." Stones in three colors (slate blue, brick red, and cream) are accompanied by books with designs for architectural models, shown as sectional drawings. Suggested buildings include: castles, churches, fortresses, town gates, bridges, and moats. The four sheets of uncut figures depict people in historic costume. Text on box and accompanying material is in English, German, Spanish, and Italian.
The wooden boxes have illustrations of elaborate columns in classical and gothic styles.
81 x 272
Spool Cotton Company.
John Martin's spool zoo, 1931.
6 items: col. ill.
The Spool Cotton Co. was located in
Summary: Complete set of the Spool Cotton Company's spool zoo, set number 2. The six animals represented by a cut out of a head and tail are a fox, bear, zebra, lion, elephant, and hippo. Each animal requires a spool of a different size, onto which the head and tail are glued. Cards with the cut outs include instructions for assembly, a poem about the animal shown, and a description of what the particular size of thread is used for. The set is in an envelope that includes a letter from the manufacturer.
Envelope and cards brittle.
81 x 273
Deininger Bakery.
Paper dolls, [ca. 1930].
20 items: col. ill.
The Deininger Bakery was located in
Summary: Consists of five paper dolls each with three sheets of dresses and hats "given away everyday with each loaf of Bond bread." The dolls and costumes are uncut. While the four girls have different types of party dresses, outfits for the boy include a football uniform and a baseball uniform. There is an advertisement for Bond bread on the back of each doll. Printing was done by the American Colortype Co.
Dolls are in original envelopes; brittle.
81 x 288
American Art Works.
Cut out of a Deadwood coach, 1896.
1 sheet (uncut): col. ill.
Summary: One sheet of cut out parts that make a stagecoach (a
Deadwood coach) when assembled. Parts
included are the body, top, front, and back of the coach, axles, pole and
whiffletrees, front board, trunk rack, driver's seat, trunk, straps for rack,
wheels, four horses, and five men posed in different positions for the top of
the coach. A small picture of the
finished coach is also featured. The
sheet was printed as the art supplement to the Philadelphia Press,
Plastic cover is taped to the back of the sheet with masking tape.
82 x 146
G. Bishop & Co.
The engineer's shop and horizontal engine working
model/Bishop &
1 sheet (uncut): ill.
The firm G. Bishop & Co. was located at 101 Houndsditch,
Summary: One uncut and uncolored sheet with instructions for assembling an engineer's shop with a chimney, sandwheel, and two workmen. The sheet was to be pasted onto cardboard before objects were cut out and assembled. The wheel was supposed to support half a pint of sand so that the machine actually operated.
82 x 369
The
1 sheet (uncut): col. ill.
Summary: Uncut sheet for a paper doll and four outfits with instructions for cutting out and attiring the doll. Both the front and back of a woman, four period dresses representing
different eras (1820, 1860, 1900, and 1920), and appropriate
head gear are featured. The dresses,
hat, and bonnet are based on items in the Costume Collection at the
83 x 72
Theodore Press Co.
Musical dominoes/invented by C. W. Grimm; published by Theodore Dresser, 1893.
1 game (36 pieces): ill. + two instruction booklets.
The Theodore Press Co. was located at
Summary: According to the instruction book, "How to Play Musical Dominoes," the musical domino as invented by C. W. Grimm consisted of 36 pieces and was to be played by two or more persons. The face of each piece has two equal squares in which are note value signs ranging from a whole to a sixteenth. The play is similar to dominoes. Six variations are explained in a second booklet, "How to Give Musical Domino Parties."
In original box; title from label on the side of the wooden box; booklets are brittle.
83x116 (in map case)
Science in Sport, or the Pleasures of Natural Philosophy.
Game board with folder.
Summary: The game is mounted on linen for ease of
folding. In addition to the directions,
the board describes the different branches of natural philosophy: mechanics and
gravitation, hydrostatics, hydraulics, pneumatics, acoustics, light and heat,
electricity and galvanism, optics, and astronomy. The board is decorated with black and white
pictures of scientific instruments, scenes illustrating scientific principles
(a windmill, fireworks, a hot air balloon, etc.), the scientists Robert Boyle,
Rene Descartes, Benjamin Franklin, and Lord Francis Bacon, and a view of
The game was published on
The folder is made from stiff blue board. A label is pasted on the front; the wreath and bow design are printed on the label, but the title “The Pleasures of Natural Philosophy: a New Game” is written by hand.
[Note: the folder was found in the stacks without an accession number and was given the number 03x44. Later, the game board was discovered in a map case drawer, and the two components were reunited under the original accession number of 83x116.]
83x117 (in map case)
Het Spel der Uitvindingen = Jeu des Inventions.
Summary: Game board with directions in Dutch and French. The board is decorated with colored illustrations of various inventions, such as a sewing machine, steamboat, locomotive, camera, hot air balloon, phonograph player, telephone, thermometer, and others. In the middle of the board is a picture of Thomas Edison, surrounded by pictures of other inventors, such as James Watt, Elias Howe, Daguerre, Galileo, Benjamin Franklin, A. Krupp, and Z. Jansen. The object of the game is to go around the board and arrive in the middle. Along the way, one can be helped by having the steamboat or locomotive advance one’s game piece, or hindered by having to lose a turn in order to have one’s photo taken, or by having a cannon shoot one back several spaces.
84 x 146
Latta, Katherine, 1889‑1980, former owner.
Paper doll, 1897.
11 items.
Katherine Latta resided in Chestnut Hill,
Summary: Consists of a girl paper doll, five costumes, three headdresses, and a bird, marked "Gebr. Must. Sch. No. 37604/ Series II." The items are German in origin and are dated 1897. Also included is an envelope inscribed "Barbara Lewis Latta."
85 x 135
Milton Bradley & Co.
Myriopticon: a historical panorama of the rebellion/published by Milton Bradley & Co., [ca. 1866-ca. 1868].
1 box with a roll of paper: col. ill.; 13 x 21 x 5 cm. + accompanying lecture, showbill, and sheet of admission tickets.
Milton Bradley began making toys in 1860. He developed the idea for the myriopticon around 1866 after viewing a German toy with moving parts. The myriopticon is considered the first item to capture the home viewing audience with a moving picture.
Summary: Object provides a visual history of the Civil War
commencing with Gen. Anderson and his men entering
References: Shea, James J.
It's all in the game.
References: McClintock, Inez. Toys in
85 x 165
United States Playing Card Co.
Fauntleroy playing card, no. 29, [ca. 1910].
1 game (52 cards): col. ill. 6 x 4 cm.
The United States Playing Card Co. was located in
Summary: Small size deck of enameled playing cards in its original box. The ace of spades card contains the trademark of Fauntleroy playing cards. Fauntleroy is also depicted on the box. The back of the cards have a blue design.
Moderate grime on box; cards in good condition.
86 x 37
La poupee modele, [ca. 1870].
1 sheet (uncut): col. ill.
Summary: Uncut sheet for a paper doll and three
outfits. Both the front and the back of
a woman, three dresses, and a wig are featured.
The item was produced by importer, T. Dupuy, in
Text in French.
86 x 63
Paper dolls, [ca. 1920].
13 items: col. ill.
Summary: Consists of a six inch tall paper doll along with twelve costume changes, all hand drawn and colored. Among the items in the wardrobe are a smocked dress, party dress, play clothes, school clothes, winter coat, legging set, and striped pajamas. Dolls, teddy bears, and other objects form part of the outfits. The doll and each costume were mounted on construction board, laced with strips to prevent movement, interleaved, and sewn into a folder. The folder is embellished with a girlish figure within a medallion topped with a bow and streamers, also hand colored. Though the maker is unknown, a monogram of CWT is a distinguishing mark.
Moderate grime.
86 x 81.1-.12
Toy theater, [ca. 1860].
11 sheets: col. ill.
Summary: Consists of 11 hand colored sheets representing
backgrounds and characters for a toy theater or theaters produced by
J.F.S.i.E. Each sheet contains a number
in the bottom right hand corner; several are stamped printed in
well as Indians is represented. Occupations are identified for each.
Captions are in German, although text on the background sheets is also in English and French.
86 x 93
The
1 item: col. ill.
Summary: Peep show of the
86 x 94
Peep show of
1 item: col. ill.
Summary: Peep show that pulls out into a three dimensional
representation of
In a very worn slipcase.
86 x 106
The gem library blocks / E. I. H., [1882?].
24 blocks: col. ill.
Summary: Consists of twenty‑four blocks shaped like books in a wooden box made to look like bookshelves. Each block represents a letter of the alphabet, with the exception that "XYZ"
constitutes one block. The sides of the blocks which show when they are in the box resemble the spines of books, with a volume number assigned to each of the letters. The objects depicted on the block are listed on the spines. One side of the block features a large illustration that incorporates its letter in its design. For example, the letter "B" is illustrated by a boy climbing it. The other side of the block contains pictures of objects that begin with the letter represented.
86 x 160
Guérin-Müller et Cie, editor.
Théâtre miniature. Vol. II: la kermesse villageoise grand fête foraine en quatre parties, [ca. 1875].
1 v.: col. ill.; 34 cm.
Summary: Bound volume featuring four pop up scenes with accompanying text. The first scene is of a zoo and depicts such animals as lions, tigers, birds, and polar bears. People are shown standing in front of cages, feeding the animals. The second illustration is of a circus ring with jugglers, clowns, ladies riding horses, and tightrope walkers performing for a crowd. The third scene appears to be a circus side show with a live jack in the box. The last depiction is of a playground with swings, a see-saw, children lawn bowling, and a swan in a pond.
Text under each scene in French.
86x163.1-.6
Playing cards
6 items : ill. ; 9 x 6 cm.
Summary: Six playing
cards of some sort, probably mid-19th century, perhaps from a board
or a mathematical game. On one side of
each card is found a picture and a set of numbers arranged in four
columns. The first card shows what may
be a royal person sitting on a throne, with “Punch and Judy” type figures and
the odd numbers from 1 to 63. The second
card shows a lady wearing a bonnet and a ball gown, and some of the numbers 2
-63 (the pattern begins 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11).
The third card depicts a workman and some of the numbers 4-63 (the
pattern begins 4-7, 12-15, 20-23). The
fourth card shows a laughing man and the numbers 8-15, 24-31, 40-47, and
56-63. The fifth card depicts a man with
his mouth so very wide open that the numbers appear inside his mouth. His numbers are 16-31 and 48-63. The last card shows a man in a wide brimmed
hat, and the numbers 32-63. Two sheets
of paper were glued together to make a sturdier card.
87 x 61.1 (in map case)
Selchow & Richter, Co.
Pin the tail on the donkey, [after 1870].
1 sheet with 20 tail pieces: col. ill.
Selchow & Richter, one of the toy industry's leading distributors, was founded in 1867.
Summary: Early version of the popular party game, Pin the Tail on the Donkey. The large sheet features an illustration of a brown donkey on fabric. Twenty of the original tails are included.
87 x 181
Schwarze katze, 1984.
1 game (41 cards): col. ill. + instruction booklet.
Summary: Set of forty cards (one through ten of each suit)
and a joker. The cards are reproductions
from the Museum Kind und Spielzing in
Instructions in German and Italian.
87x188 (in map case)
An Interesting Jubilee Game.
Summary: A hand-colored aquatint, mounted on linen, for ease
in folding. The game celebrates the
golden jubilee of the reign of King George III of
88 x 72
Waterproof Playing Card Co.
Waterproof playing cards/The Waterproof Playing Card Co., [ca. 1860].
1 game (54 cards): ill.
Summary: Deck of round playing cards with one joker and one card advertising the Waterproof Playing Card Co. The illustrations of the king, queen, and jack are fairly standard. There is a yellow design on the back of the cards.
In original box, which is worn; moderate grime and staining.
88 x 132
Strawbridge & Clothier.
Strawbridge & Clothier child's shopping game, 1908.
1 game board: col. ill.
Summary: Strawbridge & Clothier marketed this children's game to encourage the habit of department store shopping. Players used a spinner to determine how many spaces to move their tokens on a turn. The first player to complete a circuit of the board went to Toyland. Game instructions are on the back of the board. The structure of the board resembles a Parcheesi board. Illustrations replicate various departments and merchandise available at Strawbridge & Clothier. The store exterior is depicted in the center of the board. Children dressed in a variety of types of clothing illustrate early 20th century fashion.
Staining; board is matted.
88 x 220
McLoughlin Bros., Inc.
Paper soldiers, 1870‑1884.
6 items: col. ill.
Summary: Consists of six paper soldiers, all from McLoughlin's series, published between 1870 and 1884, sometimes referred to as Type IIs. Each soldier is wearing a different uniform.
88 x 229.1-3
Paper dolls, [ca. 1855]‑1857.
3 items: ill.
Summary: Consists of a hand made paper doll in a dress, dated 1857, and a newspaper clipping from around 1855 that depicts another doll similar in appearance.
Found in a Bible donated to the library
88 x 234
Trent, Robert.
The oldest woodframe house still standing in North America: a seventeenth century colonial room modeled after the parlor of the Fairbanks House of Dedham, Massachusetts (c. 1637)/Includes inventory, furnishings, and text by Robert Trent, 1980.
8 sheets (uncut): ill.
Summary: The volume opens to make three walls of a parlor room. There are eight loose sheets. One sheet describes the house, its owner, Jonathan Fairbanks, and his wife, Grace, and gives an inventory of the house at the time of Jonathan's death. The remaining seven sheets contain items to be cut out and used with the house, including: a livery cupboard, a chair, figures (Jonathan, Grace, and a child), the parents' bed, feather pillows, a mattress, books, a trundle bed, and a sea chest. The walls feature windows, doors, a fireplace, a coat rack, and guns. There are directions for assembly on the back of the volume.
90 x 17
A visit in the circus, [ca. 1890].
1 v. (10 p.): col. ill. ; 14 x 11 cm.
Summary: Volume originally designed to fold out to show
scenes from a circus, but some of the pieces are separated from each
other. Horse tricks, a girl on a
tightrope, and horses with dogs are featured in vividly colored scenes. Clowns
are interspersed and an audience is shown in the background. The volume may have formed the backdrop for a
child's toy or game. It was manufactured
in
Cover title; brittle.
90 x 82
Jullien, editor.
Les anamorphoses, [ca. 1870].
1 game (24 cards): col. ill. + one cylinder.
Summary: Consists of twenty-four hand-painted cards that
offer an example of mid‑19th century anamorphic art. A metal cylinder is used to view distorted
illustrations to make them appear three dimensional. Pictures feature a king and queen, a robber,
men and women engaged in various activities, and animals in costume. While some of the characters appear posed
others represent caricatures. The item
was made in
An inscription on the inside of the box reads: "Merrie
Christmas Seymour from Aunt Susan, 1871"; however on the bottom of the box
is found the inscription “
The box has been repaired with masking tape; there is a chip in the top of the cylinder.
91x39
Paper weaving
ca. 1839
1 item
Summary: Someone interwove a sheet of green paper and a
sheet of yellow paper, and pinked the outer edges, but it is not clear what the
resulting shape is supposed to be. The
yellow and green papers were the covers of printed pamphlets, one a report on
schools and the other something related to law, printed in
91 x 61
West & Lee Game Company.
Avilude: or game of birds, 1873.
1 game (64 cards): ill.; 10 cm. + instruction booklet.
The West & Lee Game Co. was located in Worcester, Ma.
Summary: Educational game of sixty-four cards featuring
eight groups of birds: wading, pigeon tribe, honey eaters, web-footed, birds of
prey, running birds, and singing birds.
Cards are divided into two types: engravings of birds and descriptions
of the birds. Players try to make pairs
by matching a picture with its description.
Use of the eight groups of birds complicated the play and scoring. An eight page rule booklet and scoring guide
describes several variations of the game.
On the box containing the cards is an engraving of several birds playing
a game of cards. Avilude was patented on
In original box (worn, but intact). Booklet brittle.
92 x 162.110
Toytown. No. 15, storehouse, [20th century].
1 sheet (uncut): ill.
Summary: Cutout of a storehouse or barn depicting a boy pushing a wheelbarrow, a cow ready to be milked, and two rabbits. Instructions for coloring and cutting and folding the scene are featured. Printed in blue ink on cardboard.
93 x 30
Milton Bradley & Co.
The game of Rip Van Winkle: a modern version of an old tale/Milton Bradley Company, 1909.
1 game (40 cards) + booklet.
Summary: Consists of forty cards in a box featuring an illustration of Rip Van Winkle. The accompanying booklet contains directions and the text of the story of Van Winkle.
Blank marks replace words in certain spots of the script. The reader pauses at each blank and the players read the words on the cards.
Title from cover of the story booklet.
93 x 42
Gavitt, Harry E.
Gavitt's stock exchange/Harry E. Gavitt, 1904. ‑‑
1 game (33 cards): ill. + instruction booklet.
Summary: Card game played by three to four players, called stock brokers. Thirty‑two of the cards are divided into four sets of stock. Players trade cards to get all eight of a particular type of stock. Cards are traded face down so that a player does not know what the cards are. A Fatal Telegram Card causes ups and downs in the stock market and complicates play. The winner is the first to get a full set of eight cards. An instructional booklet as well as clippings from the Topeka State Journal and other newspapers endorsing the product are included. The cards are enameled with rounded corners and are in a yellow box with gold printing.
93 x 131
Fleischer, Frederick.
Scraps in black and white, for cutting out. series 1, [187‑]
1 v. (7 leaves): ill.; 23 cm.
Frederick Fleischer was a publisher of black and white
scraps in
Summary: Consists of 44 "silhouette" cut outs on seven sheets wrapped in a paper cover. Many of the black and white cut outs depict vignettes of people engaged in dialogue and activities.
Such scenes as children playing, two men on horseback dueling, boys on a seesaw, children playing badminton, a couple dancing, and a man smoking a pipe are featured.
Title from wrapper.
94 x 47
Catlin.
Chess set, 1889.
1 game board + 51 pieces.
Catlin was the manufacturer who patented this chess set on
Summary: This chess set appears to have been designed for use while traveling. The leather board folds in half with one side serving as the playing area and the other for storage of pieces.
The chess pieces slide into slits at the bottom of each square. Bound in cloth boards.
96 x 13
Leisure activities puzzle, [ca. 1862].
1 puzzle (24 pieces): ill. (some col.)
Summary: This puzzle consists of six sections made by
matching four pieces together. Each
wooden piece is 2 ½” x 3 x 3/8" and is covered by a colored lithograph,
possibly produced in
½” x 9" which is broken. The painted box lid depicts a castle. "Netting box, Ann Hume" written on bottom of box.
96 x 87.1-2
Drayton, Grace G. (Grace Gebbie)
Dolly Dingle's travels/by Grace G. Drayton. ‑‑
2 sheets (folded): ill. (some col.) ; 40 cm.
Summary: These two sheets of Dolly Dingle's paper dolls are each folded into four pages with an extra sheet glued in. The attached sheet of paper contains text, cover illustrations, and
instructions for making four "Little Books" that correspond with the paper doll themes. Each folded page of paper dolls represents costumes from various countries. Series one contains
costumes from
97x8
Paper dolls, ca.1930
12 folders: ill.
Summary: A collection of paper dolls, most of which were cut out of magazines around 1930. Most of the dolls are girls. There is one boy doll, a toddler cut out of an ad with homemade outfits which could be a boy, and a set of twins, one of which is probably a boy. Several of the dolls are homemade and have homemade outfits; a few of the magazine dolls also have homemade outfits. Some of the outfits have matching hats, shoes, and stockings. A few of the dolls have dogs, cats or other accessories. Four of the dolls were made from heavy card stock, perhaps cut from the lid of a box; they were not made as paper dolls and they have no outfits. In addition, there are two illustrated poems cut from a magazine, one about a girl cutting her curls (which caused her mother to cry), and the other a Valentine poem.
98 x 24
Clemens, E. J.
Clemens' silent teacher: dissected map of the
1 game box: col. ill.
Summary: A children's game that was designed to be an object
lesson in geography. Its cover
illustration features a map of the
Pieces are all missing; have only the top and bottom of the box.
01x36
Campbell, Betty, designer
“The Dress Parade of the Round About Dolls”
Ca. 1930s
Summary: A box containing two girl dolls, fabric, dress patterns, and instructions for making real cloth and paper garments for the dolls. The patterns and fabric have not been used.
01x37
“The Guzzle Family: Reproduction of Eighteenth-Century Paper Dolls”
Summary: Two sheets in an envelope, reproduced from originals in the Colonial Williamsburg collection. Includes father, mother, two sons; originals date from last quarter of the 18th century.
01x85.1-.43
Assortment of paper dolls, ca.1855-ca.1900
Summary: A miscellaneous assortment of paper dolls, with costumes, mostly from ca.1855-1885. The group includes two boy dolls, Little Fred and Paul, and girls named Daisy, Laura Neil, Sarah Brown, Stella, and Minty Green. Two dresses, four hats, and some homemade costumes could not be associated with any particular doll. A later costume was an advertisement for Willimantic thread.
01x111
Place de Promenade à
Hambourg = Promenade Platz zu
n.p.: n.p.; ca.
1850.
Summary: A peep show
depicting a street scene in
The peep show is in
its original box, which is very worn.
The cover and the first part of the show are detached from the rest of
the view and the box. The peep show
descended through the family of the donor.
02x13
Christmas scrap,
paper dolls, greeting cards, and calling cards
Summary: An
assortment of large Christmas scrap depicting angels and children in the snow;
calling cards with pieces of scrap affixed to the cards; a set of Cinderella
and the Prince paper dolls (both dolls and costumes are printed on the front
and back); a boy paper doll from ca. 1910; women and a couple of men cut from
magazines or newspapers, figures that were not meant to be paper dolls but were
cut out and used as such; two Valentine cards, and two Christmas cards.
The donor collected
these items over the years from a variety of sources. She played with the Cinderella paper dolls in
the early to mid 1960s.
03x44 – was
discovered to be part of 83x116, which see.
04x104
Playing cards.
Ca. 1960.
Summary: Two decks of playing cards in a box. One deck is yellow and the other blue. Both have the seal of the city of
06x46
H.M.S. Pinafore cards.
32 items.
Ca.1880.
Summary: A stack of 32 cards, each decorated with one or more characters from the Gilbert and Sullivan work H.M.S. Pinafore. The characters are named and a little bit is added about them (“Little Buttercup, a Portsmouth Bumboat woman,” “Ralph Rackstraw, able seaman”). The cards are divided into groups numbered 1-8, with 4 cards per group. (Four cards are numbered 1, another four are numbered 2, etc.) They are not in a box, and no publisher’s name is given. It is not known if these were to be playing cards or cards for collecting. The last two cards depict the ship itself and a cat-o-nine-tails.
06x62
Patriotic paper doll.
1864.
Summary: A homemade paper doll, 21 cm. tall, but she is
missing her feet and whatever she was carrying, which was probably a flag. The doll is made from card stock and is
dressed in red, white, and blue. The
face, hair, and hands are drawn in pencil.
The doll’s arms are raised above her head and she holds a staff; at one
time, a flag may have been attached to the staff. Written on the back: “From Sanitary Fair,
06x63
Parrish, Roberta Christine Brinkley, 1924-2007
Paper dolls.
Ca.1930-1935.
Summary: A large assortment of paper dolls which belonged to Roberta Brinkley (Parrish), who was born in 1924. The group includes 4 different Shirley Temple dolls, with clothes, plus stand-up scenes of Shirley Temple on a bicycle, with snowshoes, with a dog, and asleep on the floor next to her dolls. Another group of dolls includes the figures Baby, Jimmy, Betty, Jack, Jill, David, Ruth, Mary, Anne, and Nurse, all with clothes and hats. Some of the miscellaneous toys and accessories may have been part of this set. A few pieces for the set “Baby Sister” by Queen Holden are found, as is part of the container in which the set came. As well, the group includes a boy doll, a girl doll, some miscellaneous dresses, cut-outs of fashion figures, an automobile, and two playing cards (the ace of spades and “Weary Willie,” but not necessarily the Emmett Kelly figure). Also in the group are three cardboard strips which when put together spell the word “dog” and show a picture of a dog.
06x84
Corn and beans: the funniest game out.
Summary: Includes directions, question card, answer cards, pieces of corn, and some beans, all in the original box, which is decorated with a picture of children playing the game. The game was meant to teach facts about American history. There were questions about Christopher Columbus, the Pilgrims, the American Revolution, the constitution, and a few other facts. The directions pamphlet said that the publisher’s intention was to print additional sets of questions and answers.
07x63.1-.6
Paper dolls.
Ca.1893
The Worcester Salt Co. was located at
Summary: Six paper dolls, five of which were used as trade
cards or advertisements. One doll was an
advertisement for Worcester Salt Co.
Four of the dolls advertised
07x73.1
Last quarter of 19th century.
Summary: A home-made figure of
08x46
Building blocks, 1890s?
A set of children’s building blocks in a wooden box. On the box lid is a colored print showing six structures which could be built with the set. The box holds 25 blocks, including an arch, a semicircular piece, five triangular pieces (in three sizes), and four carved balustrades. From the illustration, it is apparent that the set is missing at least one triangular piece. Nothing is known about the creator of this set, nor where it was made.
Ph 1280.1-.52
“All the Bubbles” playing cards [photographs]
Summary: Photographs of a deck of playing cards called “All
the Bubbles.” The cards were printed
shortly after the South Sea Bubble scandal, which broke in
RELATED COLLECTIONS
Note: also check references under the subject headings Paper dolls; Toys; Games; Card games, and other appropriate terms.
Doc. 60
(acc. 83 x 41)
Fox, George, fl. 1800.
The reward of merit; a new, moral, and entertaining game/Invented by Geo. Fox, 1801.
1 sheet in slipcase; ill.; 38 x 69 cm.
Summary: A game of 37 spaces, each illustrated and labeled with a rhyming moral, such as: "a Gardener; Plant what is good, root out what's bad; Then You'll become a charming Lad;" "a Dunce; Return great Dunce, with marks of Shame; Unto the Place from whence you came;" "a Puppy; You're pert to all, yet nothing know; Therefore pay one, sweet-scented Beau;" and "a Dutiful Child; Your Parents you always regard; Therefore three Stakes is your reward."
References: Described and illustrated in: Table games of
Georgian and Victorian days/F.R.B. Whitehouse. - Revised second ed. -
Engraving divided into 9 panels and mounted on linen, in
worn slipcase. Contains printed label
and ink-stamped name of "Forbes Library,
Doc. 62
(acc. 82 x 145)
Adams, Josiah.
The game of kings. --
1 deck (38 cards): ill.; 10 cm. + instruction booklet.
Summary: Educational game of cards that "comprise a brief history of the English monarchs, from the Conquest to the present time, with an engraved figure of each." Booklet of 16 pages summarizes each monarch's reign.
Cards and booklet both in fine condition. Cloth-covered red slip case with gold embossed title, picture of King William II, and publication statement, slightly worn.
Doc. 86
(acc. 87 x 93)
Howland, E. A.
The Japanese puzzle, for home amusement and instruction, with a set of blocks, 1872.
1 puzzle (10 wooden pieces in decorated box) + rules booklet.
E.A. Howland produced this game in
Summary: Consists of five identically truncated squares. The resulting trapezoids and five triangles are to be arranged in patterns suggested in the rules booklet or in the imagination of the user. The plain wooden pieces are in a small decorated box; both the small box and rules booklet are in a much larger decorated box that was, perhaps, the container for a number of these game sets when produced by E. A. Howland.
Game pieces and smaller box in very good condition; larger box somewhat worn.
Doc. 88
(acc. 86 x 207)
McLoughlin Bros., Inc.
The judge's game cards, 1889.
1 game (52 cards): col. ill. + instruction booklet.
Summary: A set of 52 cards, divided into four different groups. Instruction booklet explains that "three distinct games can be played with these cards, directions for which are given below, and the ingenuity of players will, in a short time, suggest many other methods of playing not here given. In fact, any game of cards can be readily played with this pack." The four suits are illustrated with cartoon caricatures of the families of a judge, a professor, a mariner, and a senator.
In original box (worn, but sound). Cards and booklet in very good condition.
Doc. 89
(acc. 80 x 120)
Portrait authors; an amusing and instructive pastime containing 32 fine portraits of eminent authors, 1873.
1 game (64 cards): ill. + instruction leaflet.
Summary: An educational card game in which the players try
to assemble groups of cards containing lithographed portraits and printed
biographical sketches of thirty-two 19th
century authors, most of whom were American.
The color lithographed cover contains the note that the game was
"patented
In original box (worn, and one corner loose), else fine.
Fol. 28
(acc. 81 x 451)
Smith, Anthony W.
Smith's pictorial parlor oracle, 1869.
1 game: ill.; 29 cm.
Summary: According to the panel of directions on the reverse of the game board, the oracle "was designed to supply a want long felt, of an innocent, highly entertaining and instructive amusement for the young of both sexes in the home circle, at social parties, picnics, &c. The flattering reception and success it has met with wherever introduced, are our strongest testimonials of its utility and adaptation to this purpose."
The game consists of a square card on which are printed six concentric circles. In the center of the card a metal pointer is attached. Each of the circles is divided into segments illustrated for the playing of six different games that answer such questions as "What is a prominent trait in your character?" "Where will you reside next?" or "What is your idea of beauty?"
The game was "sold by dealers in Varieties, Toys,
Books, and Papers everywhere. Sent
postpaid by mail on receipt of price, $1.00.
Address, Anthony W. Smith, sole proprietor, 112 and
Edges, and especially corners, worn; surface well-rubbed.
(various acc. no.)
Maxine Waldron Collection of Children's Books and Paper Toys.
Summary: A large collection of paper dolls, toy theaters, and other games and toys. Also included are articles about dolls, paper dolls, and games; fashion plates; postcards and note cards depicting dolls, toys, and clothing; and drawings done by Mrs. Waldron.
Charles Magnus Collection – 3 board games, as follows:
93 x 33.1
Magnus, Charles.
Running the blockade/Charles Magnus, [ca. 1861‑ca. 1865].
1 board: col. ill.; 20 x 24 inches.
Summary: Board game produced by Magnus during the Civil
War. The two players start from about
the same point and are supposed to follow a path that brings them to
93 x 33.2
Magnus, Charles.
New game of snake/lithograph of Charles Magnus, [ca. 1856‑ca. 1860].
1 board game: col. ill.; 24 x 20 inches.
Summary: Board game in which player's begin at the snake's
mouth and move 122 spaces to reach the end of his tail; the winner is the first
player to achieve this goal. Dice or a
tee‑totum (not included) were used to determine how many spaces the player
was to move. Several spaces are marked
with special instructions. For instance,
"shipwreck" sends the player back to space two and
"liberty" gives the player two extra throws. Many of the instructions contain patriotic
overtones and a portrait of George Washington is featured. Two of the illustrations relate to
93 x 33.3
Magnus, Charles.
Comical game of pigs and kittens/by Grandfather Fisher; published by Charles Magnus, [ca. 1870].
1 board game: col. ill.; 22 x 14 inches.
Summary: Board game that features depictions of ethnic Americans, including an African American and an Oriental figure. Another figure is carrying a sack of gold dust. Since the
directions and game pieces are missing, it is difficult to
determine how the game was played.
Shades of blue, red, and yellow predominate; the colors were added after
printing.
(acc. 85 x 212-213)
Wyatt, Mary Kent.
Paper dolls, [ca. 1890-ca. 1899].
ca. 75 items: col. ill.
Summary: Consists of a paper doll, produced by E. H. Heath
& Co., with forty-five handmade costumes and matching hats together with a
baby doll with three dresses and miscellaneous toilet articles. The costumes were made by Mary Kent Wyatt of
These dolls originally belonged to Mary Kent Wyatt and were
passed on to her daughter, Mrs. Ellen Wyatt Milliken. Upon Mrs. Milliken's death, they became the
property of Patricia Ann Wyatt, Elizabeth Milliken Head, and Victoria Milliken
Buccino. The dolls were presented to