German Toy Book

Hard to believe there are only five more days till Christmas! Before I hunker down with last minute preparations for our own family celebration I wanted to share this gem of a book with you. Published in 1938 it is a colorful catalog of classic German toys....spielzeug! Chock-full of whirligigs, kites, building blocks, anthropomorphic veggies, paper toys, hobby horses, jumping jacks and marionettes, there is something to tickle everyone's fancy. And with this plateful of eye-candy I bid you and yours a very happy holiday season. I'll see you back here in the New Year!

Tiny Town House Blocks

Tiny Town House Building Blocks by The Embossing Company

Another special find for the vintage shop this Friday morning. Don't forget that Sushipot's Christmas in July sale continues in both shops through midnight (cst) on Sunday.

Johnnyville Blocks

Still can't believe I've happened upon this complete set of Johnnyville Blocks! The set was manufactured by the Embossing Company of Albany, NY circa 1930's. I posted a similar set of these by Halsam a while back although this set is older as Halsam purchased the Embossing Company in 1955. The box reads "A swell building set for children ages 4 to 8" but I'm thinkin' any age would have a swell time indeed.

Block Collection In Uppercase

I've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of issue #14 of Uppercase Magazine. When I glimpsed the familiar envelope in the mailman's hands this afternoon I zipped out the door to retrieve it immediately.

Yes, I've expressed my undying love for this magazine in the past but this issue is special indeed. I was thrilled when Janine contacted me to put together a grouping of my vintage block images for the Collection spread (see pages 58 & 59 of your issue or you can preview a digital copy here).

Lizzie was just as excited to see the feature as she has arranged many of these block designs for me to photograph. The theme of this issue is all about PLAY and I must say it looks chock-full 'o fun. Now I just need to settle down with a cuppa and leisurely enjoy its pages!

If these vintage block images are making you itch to get your hands on a set of your own I do have some available in the shop right here. Or....you can pick up a set of reproduction color cubes by Froebel right here.

We also love the old-school pennant with the Uppercase slogan of "Creative & Curious" that was tucked inside our package. It will be proudly displayed here at the Sushipot headquarters! And now....I'm going to take a bit of time off to PLAY (and clean up the house a smidgen!) as my parents are headed this way for a visit (Yay for grandparents!!). See you back here next week.

Cubes Alphabétiques

Cubes Alphabétiques, antique French alphabet blocks

Blockville Village

We've been building little villages with these charming Blockville blocks by Halsam. When it comes to photographing toys for the shop, Lizzie is always eager to help set things up. I think she kinda likes having this rotating source of new 'old' toys to play with!