Toys

A number of toys have survived to be played with by later generations. The oldest is probably Frederick's Games Box, which has been written about elsewhere. Also belonging to my grandfather, Frederick Herbert Smith, were glass marbles and two wooden solitaire boards. From my grandmother, Ivy Gertrude Woolgar, comes a tiny 'frozen Charlotte' doll, which may have belonged to her mother, Clara Dawson, before that.

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My father had few toys but I do still have some battered lead soldiers that were his. Most of the toys that have stood the test of time and numerous house moves, belonged to my mother, Gwendoline Catherine Smith. There are more lead toys, in the shape of farm and zoo animals and also early elements of Britain's Floral Garden.

 

There are small beads and cardboard boards that enabled you to create patterns and there are wooden mosaic bricks, that I am almost certain were mum's before they were mine, although my dad made additional bricks to add to the set. I also have several wooden jigsaws. I still have a large bagatelle board and two card games, Krimo and Lexicon, which is similar to Scrabble. I remember Krimo as being an excellent game but trying to play it more recently has not been a success.

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Two china-headed dolls survive, Peter and baby Peter and also Gladly the Cross-eyed bear, as well as a tiny felt teddy, that was probably made by Ivy.

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I played with most of these regularly and some have been sampled by my children and grandchildren, making five generations in all.

 

There is information about toys that first belonged to me on the Memories page.