Toy Car
1945 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
During the Second World War new toys were in short supply as most toy factories were busy making weapons and other war related products. This little red car was handmade by a father in 1945 for his daughters 2nd birthday - the painted licence plates show her initials and age. The car became a much loved toy and was eventually passed down to the girl's own son in the 1980s.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | |
Brief description | Wooden toy car made in England in 1945. |
Physical description | The toy is made from a single piece of wood, carved into a basic car shape. It has been painted red and features black detailing across the surface depicting the grill, doors, vents, mudguards and boot. Numberplates have been painted on both the front and the rear of the car and contain the inscription "GED 2". There are four metal wheels attached with screws and a hole at the front of the car in which a hook used to be. |
Dimensions |
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Production type | Unique |
Marks and inscriptions | "GED 2" (The initials of the makers daughter (Gillian Elizabeth Davis), and the age at which he gave the toy to her (2). Located on both the front and back of the car.) |
Credit line | Given by Gillian Dunkeld |
Object history | This car was made by the father of Gillian Elizabeth Dunkeld nee Davis for her second birthday. He worked for Standard Telephones and Cables in New Southgate and is beleived to have acquired the wood from the company's on-site carpentry 'shop'. It was given to the owner at the end of the Second World War when materials were in short supply and most toy factories were still producing weapons and other war related items. The car was passed down from Gillian to her son Iain who was born in 1988. |
Historical context | Used as a toy by the owner and subsequently passed down to her son |
Subjects depicted | |
Associations | |
Summary | During the Second World War new toys were in short supply as most toy factories were busy making weapons and other war related products. This little red car was handmade by a father in 1945 for his daughters 2nd birthday - the painted licence plates show her initials and age. The car became a much loved toy and was eventually passed down to the girl's own son in the 1980s. |
Collection | |
Accession number | B.352-2013 |
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Record created | September 3, 2013 |
Record URL |
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