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Cardboard Box

ca. 1950s (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This object is one of a collection given to the museum. The collection is quite important as it belonged to Dennis Arkinstall. Dennis worked in the toy industry for a company called Lines Brothers Ltd, they were mostly famous for their Tri-ang range of toys. Dennis was a sculptor and worked in the research and development of new toys for the company in particular the dolls which were produced under the Pedigree trade name. The catalogues highlight that their range of dolls are realistic and produced by a sculptor. We do not know when Dennis started working at the factory but we know that he was an influential figure in the designing of their most popular doll Sindy, which was produced in 1963.

This collection includes dolls from other manufactures as he would have collected them to inspire new ideas. They are often just heads, which was not uncommon as these were usually exported in large numbers and the bodies made at their destination as it was a cheap way to manufacture. The collection also includes moulds and experimental pieces from the factory as well as complete ones in their presentation boxes.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Box Base
  • Box Lid
Materials and techniques
Cardboard
Brief description
A cardboard box for a Pedigree princess doll made in England in the 1950s
Physical description
A cardboard box with a red lid and base for a Pedigree 'Little Princess' doll. The front of the box has a black and white image of the doll waving and walking in a park in front of a grand building. The rest of the box is red and this colour is picked out on the edging and polka dots on the dress of the doll. The words 'WOMAN'S ILLUSTRATED' are printed in the top left hand corner in white and the title of the doll 'Little Princess' is written along the bottom in red. The words 'Pedigree' with its symbol of a yellow crown are used as a pattern in white to decorate the base of the box. The inside is a cream colour, darkened by age.
Dimensions
  • Length: 39.7cm
  • Width: 22cm
  • Depth: 14.2cm
Marks and inscriptions
'WOMAN'S ILLUSTRATED / Little Princess- a Pedigree Doll / MADE IN ENGLAND'
Credit line
Given by Donald Arkinstall
Object history
This item belonged to Dennis Arkinstall, who worked for Lines Brothers Ltd as a sculptor. It was given to the museum by his son after his death.
Summary
This object is one of a collection given to the museum. The collection is quite important as it belonged to Dennis Arkinstall. Dennis worked in the toy industry for a company called Lines Brothers Ltd, they were mostly famous for their Tri-ang range of toys. Dennis was a sculptor and worked in the research and development of new toys for the company in particular the dolls which were produced under the Pedigree trade name. The catalogues highlight that their range of dolls are realistic and produced by a sculptor. We do not know when Dennis started working at the factory but we know that he was an influential figure in the designing of their most popular doll Sindy, which was produced in 1963.

This collection includes dolls from other manufactures as he would have collected them to inspire new ideas. They are often just heads, which was not uncommon as these were usually exported in large numbers and the bodies made at their destination as it was a cheap way to manufacture. The collection also includes moulds and experimental pieces from the factory as well as complete ones in their presentation boxes.
Collection
Accession number
B.66:1 to 2-2010

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Record createdOctober 19, 2010
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