An Assortment of Vintage and Antique Toys

I love to get a box of old toys from a sale or Ebay and rummage through to see what I have.
My latest finds include some strange toys, some of which are pre 1900.
These wild animals for example, are from the late 1800's to very early 1900's.  They are around 4"/10cm long, carved from wood and mounted on a wooden plinth.  They have been hand painted, the Leopard's SOLD pattern still being quite clear and colorful.  The Zebra and Tiger are a bit worn and faded though.





To purchase this little horse on wheels go to
www.etsy.com/shop/PollysVintageBears

This small Carthorse on wheels is also from the same period and is very collectable.  It is made from papier mache, and is just 4"/10cm long.  I have seen a few different types like this and most seem to fetch $100 or more.  I have this one for sale in my Etsy shop for 50GBP + postage.


Steiff Animals

I have acquired some beautiful Steiff vintage animals.  The first is my favourite - a lovely patterned Owl with loads of character SOLD

 

 He can turn his head right around and look behind him as a real Owl can.

Then there are the big cats - a Lion, Tiger Cub and Leopard Cub.

The Leopard Cub has a beautiful face and pretty markings. SOLD

SOLD

                               This is Nagy Beaver a cute Steiff plush toy

 

A lovely little Bambi Fawn

..and finally Slo Turtle SOLD

 

They are all available for sale in my Etsy shop - www.etsy.com/shop/PollysVintageBears

A bear with Piercing Eyes...

...literally.
An old bear I have acquired was next in line for restoration.  I thought he just needed a patch on one of his paws and a general clean up.
Then I noticed that his eyes were different sizes, so they had to be replaced.  I got out my scissors and started the process of finding the cotton to cut to release the glass eyes.
I found no cotton, but was amazed at how the eyes had been put in.  They were just pushed in and held in place with a bit of glue. 
However did those of us that were children in the 1940's and 1950's survive?

 

 

 Here he is with his new eyes.  He needs a clean, although the really dark patches on his bald nose may not come that clean.  I should be able to fluff up and clean his fur though.

 I tried to find out who his maker was, and on examining his paws to see what repairs were needed, I found little holes which led me to believe that he was a Merrythought bear with the webbed claws typical of some of their bears.

I looked through my Merrythought reference book, and lo and behold - here he is.  This one has darker paws, but the head, ears, nose shape and general body and limbs shape matches so I have decided that he is a Merrythought from the 1940's.
I have a bit of work to do on him and then he will be for sale in my Etsy shop.

Chiltern George is Completed and Looking Very Handsome

I promised that when I had finished the large Chiltern bear that I had named George I would show his transformation.  Well, here he is.  Isn't he just adorable?  George is now SOLD

He is available in my Etsy shop now - www.etsy.com/shop/PollysVintageBears





George before his makeover...




...and looking very handsome in the Sunshine



Poor blind George

What a difference a pair of eyes make!