Architectural Toys at Architech Gallery

Architectural Toys
Friday, December 5 to Saturday, December 27, 2008

ArchiTech Galley marks its Tenth Anniversary by celebrating the child in all of us. Architectural toys from the 19th and early 20th Centuries.

Architectural toys have been treasured since the days of the Pharaohs and were left in their tombs for the afterlife. American and European toys of the 19th Century were made in wood and cast stone, anticipating years of rough play by legions of youthful architects.

The very boxes of these antique sets are works of art in themselves and the fact that they're still intact after more than a century speaks to the care they received while they were in use.

Froebel Blocks that inspired Frank Lloyd Wright's earliest dreams; Puzzle pictures of exhibition halls from the Philadelphia Centennial; and Art Nouveau doors and gates at Lillipution scale.

Mid-Twentieth Century sets of "Tinkertoys," "Lincoln Logs" and "American Skyline" will bring back memories of our own childhoods and point to the cheapening of today's versions for children who may never know the difference.

"Architectural Toys" will open Friday, December 5th and close Saturday, December 27, 2008.

For higher resolution images, write: ArchitechGallery@earthlink.net

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Milton Bradley Company
"Bradley's Kindergarten Material"
(Froebel Blocks)
(1) Gift No. 2
(3) No. 3, Third Gift
(2) No. 4, Fourth Gift
(2) No. 5, Fifth Gift
(1) Gift No. 6

F. Ad. Richter & Co.
"Richter's Anchor Blocks Fortress Series"
Lithographed paper on wooden box with two trays of "Stone" blocks
Circa 1920

George H. Chinnock, Mfg'r
"Centennial Exhibition Puzzle Blocks"
Lithographed paper on wood,1876

A.C. Gilbert Erector Set/Pow'r House Toys
Ferris Wheel
Steel, Circa 1955

Phoenix Toy Company
"Liberty Stone Blocks" No. 3
Lithographed paper on wooden box with two trays of "Stone" blocks
Circa 1940

"Architecture Universelle"
European toy blocks in wood and metal
Hinged box with Art Nouveau scene
Circa 1900

"Munich Building Bricks"
Instruction Booklet (pictured)
Wooden blocks in wood box
Germany, circa 1900

Hal-Sam Toy Company
"American Logs"
Set 80/2 Circa 1950

Tigrett Enterprises/Charles Eames
"The Little Toy"
2nd version
1952

Elgo Plastics Inc.
"American Skyline"
Instruction Booklet (pictured)
Set 95 Circa 1960

J.L. Wright, Inc. Lincoln Log Lumber
"Fort Dearborn"
Set 40
Lithograph and Half-Tone paper box
1933 Century of Progress

Assorted Toys from Exhibition