British Toy Making
The V&A Museum of Childhood is currently working on an exciting three year project to catalogue, conserve and digitise the archives of four major 20th century British toy manufacturers, including Lines Bros. Ltd., Mettoy, Palitoy and Paul and Marjorie Abbatt Ltd., as well as other examples of toy manufacturing archive material acquired by the Museum over the years.
A wide range of original archive material is held by the Museum - including photographs, letters, catalogues, designs, essays, leaflets and books - providing a fascinating insight into numerous areas of interest, including industrial and social history, design, education and war.
Get in touch
As part of the project, we'd like to hear from anyone connected to the British toy manufacturing industry past or present. You or a relative may have worked on a production line, or in toy design, packaging or delivery. You may have memories of a favourite toy shop or a visit to a toy factory. Whatever your involvement - big or small - please get in touch! Contact Ieuan Hopkins, Archivist (call 020 8983 5216 or email i.hopkins@vam.ac.uk) or Sarah Wood, Curator (call 020 8983 5212 or email sl.wood@vam.ac.uk).
British Toy Making Blog
3 years, 4 archives, countless stories. Read more about Archivist Ieuan Hopkins' fascinating discoveries.
Your Toy Stories
We really want to hear those stories! As part of the British Toy Making project, we'd love to hear from anyone connected with the British toy manufacturing industry past or present. If you or a relative worked in this industry, for example, on a production line, in toy design, packaging, delivery or senior management, you can submit your own toy story here.
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