I've been gone a scandalously long time and I won't make excuses. The good news is that I am back! And look at what a great fun piece it is with which I return! Here at the Museum of Childhood, you can download, print, and build your very own 19th century classroom! How fun is that?
Just think of the hours of imaginative play ~ creating scenes of schoolboy misbehavior, schoolmaster terror, and complex day-to-day lessons that would make most college graduates' heads spin!
These assembly-required paper toys were much the rage in the 19th century. Modern plastics would not be around for some time and the 19th century plastic equivalent, gutta percha, does not seem to be have been capitalized on as toy-making material (or else was too expensive). Most rich kids had toys made of lead and other alloys, hard rubber, or carved wood. Poor kids mostly had homemade toys of whatever material was handy. But paper toys were largely inexpensive (less so if uncolored), so everyone could enjoy them!
Have fun checking out the museum site. There are many other paper toys there to explore, learn about, download and create.
As to my plans for continuing with this website, I do plan to continue and I do plan to try to reboot so hopefully you will be seeing some changes and additions in the coming weeks. Hang in there! Thank you to anyone who's been checking back in to see whether I'm still around!
Just think of the hours of imaginative play ~ creating scenes of schoolboy misbehavior, schoolmaster terror, and complex day-to-day lessons that would make most college graduates' heads spin!
These assembly-required paper toys were much the rage in the 19th century. Modern plastics would not be around for some time and the 19th century plastic equivalent, gutta percha, does not seem to be have been capitalized on as toy-making material (or else was too expensive). Most rich kids had toys made of lead and other alloys, hard rubber, or carved wood. Poor kids mostly had homemade toys of whatever material was handy. But paper toys were largely inexpensive (less so if uncolored), so everyone could enjoy them!
Have fun checking out the museum site. There are many other paper toys there to explore, learn about, download and create.
As to my plans for continuing with this website, I do plan to continue and I do plan to try to reboot so hopefully you will be seeing some changes and additions in the coming weeks. Hang in there! Thank you to anyone who's been checking back in to see whether I'm still around!
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