Figure 1.-- Here we see a wood block engraving by Alexander Anderson illustrating a toy shop. It is undated, but we might guess was taken in the 1830s. It is interesting not only because of the toy on display, but because there were toy shops. And the suggestion is that this was nohing unusual nor not something just for the well-to-do. The boy is making a purchase with a coin. This may stream strange to our modern mind, but toy shops were just beginning to appear in the 18th century and were not very common until the 19th century. This was because not many working-class families could afford to purchase toys for children until the industrial revolution which was just beginning to tke hold in America during the 1830s. (It had begun earlier in Britain.) And most parents before the 19th century saw play as not only a waste of time, but idel behqvior that was not good for the child. We can make out a range of toys, incuding balls, a drum a flag, a hand accordian, a hobby horse, kites, and pull toys (horse and waggon). Perhaps reader can make out other toys. Strangely no dolls or other toys for the girls.

No photographs yet in the 1830s. Here we see a wood block engraving by Alexander Anderson illustrating a toy shop. It is undated, but we might guess was taken in the 1830s. It is interesting not only because of the toy on display, but because there were toy shops. And the suggestion is that this was nohing unusual nor not something just for the well-to-do. The boy is making a purchase with a coin. This may stream strange to our modern mind, but toy shops were just beginning to appear in the 18th century and were not very common until the 19th century. This was because not many working-class families could afford to purchase toys for children until the industrial revolution which was just beginning to take hold in America during the 1830s. (It had begun earlier in Britain.) And most parents before the 19th century saw play as not only a waste of time, but idel behqvior that was not good for the child. We can make out a range of toys, incuding balls, a drum a flag, a hand accordian, a hobby horse, kites, and pull toys (horse and waggon). They seem to be mostly wooden toy. Perhaps reader can make out other toys. Notice there is no sports gear. Strangely no dolls or other toys for the girls.

Created: 12:29 PM 1/7/2019
Last updated: 12:29 PM 1/7/2019