Some of the more unusual toys available from Copland & Lye, illustrated in their 1909 Christmas gifts catalogue. Prices quoted for postage for these items are an indication that mail order customers formed an important market for department stores at Christmas.
In an age before television, people had to make their own amusements to fill in the long dark evenings. Action toys such as Mr Jollyboy and Happy Fanny had a particular fascination which was not confined to children. "Shopping" may not sound like the most inspiring of games, but it would help while away the hours for young and old. Pull-along toys were popular, usually attached to bears, horses or some other animal. Vacuum cleaners were a recent invention, and would have enabled young children to introduce the latest technology to traditional games of "houses".
Reference: Glasgow City Archives, TD128/95
Reproduced with the permission of Glasgow City Council, Libraries Information and Learning
Keywords:
antiques, blowing bubbles, Caledonian House, Christmas presents, Christmas shopping, Copland & Lye, department stores, dolls, games, Happy Fanny, mail order, Mr Jollyboy, postage, toy bears, toy vacuum cleaners, toys, trade catalogues
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