Lovely complete set of 19th century Victorian alphabet and word learning blocks; fully intact and colorful lithography to the top and bottom sides with domestic, zoo, and wild animal themes; e.g. tiger for the letter “T”; jaguar, the letter “J”; monkey, the letter “m”; alligator the letter “a”; with “coaching” and “answers” on the sides of the blocks with red background. It appears that the highly detailed lifelike images of the animals are applied and lithographed directly to the blocks; with realistic colors to the fauna and a multiplicity of action going on to entertain the “prospective” young student. Caricatures of animals, like cats and owls, doing human activities prevail; e.g. reading the paper, dressed in clothes and playing music. Also there are fire truck and battleship images; all to keep the attention of kids.
This is a wonderful children’s item for those who collect antique games, toys, or early folk art Americana. Because of the style, lithography, and thematic content, I have attributed these blocks to the McGloughlin company in New York City; circa 1880; they were the premier maker of these items during the mid to late 19th century period. The entire set rests in it’s original wooden box (bottom half only); and it is completely original with no restoration, repairs, repaint or touch up of any kind; normal scuffing here and there from usage. A RARE find indeed to find all of the original blocks——–after nearly 150 years!
Dimensions: 17″ long x 10 1/2″ wide x 1″ high (in box)
each block measures 4″ long x x 3″ wide x 7/8″ high
Provenance: From my own collection of antique toys games, and children’s items accumulated over a period of 50 years, this item having been acquired in the late 1990’s.
Note: I am a second generation antiques dealer and have been in business, buying, selling, and collecting, for 50 years; I am also a member of several prestigious antique associations. Thus, I am well qualified to inspect and evaluate the products I offer for sale and I guarantee this to be authentic and as I have described.