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!

Welcome Spring

Welcome Spring! I'm a bit giddy over this recently acquired engraving of various moth species and their caterpillars. The hand-tinted beauty is from Der Schmetterlingsammler by Dr. Julius Hoffmann and was published in Stuttgart, Germany in 1887. After growing up in a tropical climate I'm always very ready to welcome this particular change of season.

German Color Cubes

Another set of antique color cubes for the shop. This set was manufactured in Germany by SFF (at least I believe the initials indicate the company) unlike this previous set from the Embossing Company of Albany, New York. The cubes are a bit smaller in size, 7/8 inch cubes as opposed to 1 inch cubes. I'm wondering if these pre-date the Embossing Company color cube sets from the 1920's? I couldn't find any information by they do appear older than any other set I come across previously. And...I must give Lizzie credit for arranging the pinwheel design above.

Speaking Of Blocks

And...speaking of blocks....here are a couple more sets that I've added to the virtual shelves of the vintage shop this week. Never seen anything like either of these before which is always a plus in my book. Unique alphabet block sets for artists and/or collectors!

German Alphabet Pasteboard Blocks


Wooden Alphabet Tile Set