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Modern Semi-Detached Houses or Detached House

Model
c.1980s (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is an unmade paper model of modern semi-detached houses, made in England by Bliteezi. It is part of the Robert Freidus collection of paper models, donated to the museum.

The Robert Freidus Paper Model Collection contains in excess of 12,000 models of architectural structures. These models remain in their unmade state. The models vary from simple press-out shapes, to more complex objects that require cutting, folding and sticking to produce their intended shape. The models come in various forms; boxed sets, postcards, pages from magazines, and jig-saw puzzles. The collection includes a large number of famous landmarks, versions of which have been produced by many manufacturers. But some models are less well known, including fictional locations from television programmes, and one amateur designer’s own house. Some publishers focus on a specific genre of buildings such as lighthouses while others set out to illustrate types of houses and buildings rather than specific examples.

The first paper models, those to be cut out from a sheet and assembled, appeared in Europe in the 17th Century, The earliest commercial models were recorded appearing in French toy catalogues in 1800. From then on paper models became popular across Europe particularly in Germany, and in the later half of the century, the UK. Manufacturers such as Pellerin and Schreiber began producing series of hundreds of models, from famous landmarks to farmhouses and specific scenes. Originally designed for children, paper models gave their owners the chance to learn about places and people in other parts of the world. The best example of this is Milton Bradley’s Village series produced in the late 19th and early 20th Century, which showed the people of a particular country and the houses they lived in.

Towards the end of the 20th Century paper modelling became increasingly popular with an adult audience with many kits being designed for a more sophisticated modeller. During this time television tie-ins also started appearing on the market reflecting the emerging trend of media merchandising. More recently with the development of the Internet, models have appeared online and these have been printed and added to the collection. Some of these models are stand alone items, while others can be used with model railways or in fantasy role playing games.


Object details

Category
Object type
TitleModern Semi-Detached Houses or Detached House (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Colour printed card
Brief description
Paper model depicting Modern Semi-Detached Houses or Detached House, made in England by Bilteezi probably in the 1980s
Physical description
Sheet of card depicting a house in unmade paper model form. Model can be made into 2 semi-detached houses or one detached house. House comes with a conservatory and garage. Pictures of the made models on sheet.
Dimensions
  • Length: 52.5cm
  • Width: 32cm
Production typeMass produced
Copy number
Series E Sheet No.1
Credit line
Given by the V&A Americas Foundation through the generosity of Robert Freidus
Object history
Historical significance: Part of the Robert Freidus Architectural Paper Model Collection
Summary
This is an unmade paper model of modern semi-detached houses, made in England by Bliteezi. It is part of the Robert Freidus collection of paper models, donated to the museum.

The Robert Freidus Paper Model Collection contains in excess of 12,000 models of architectural structures. These models remain in their unmade state. The models vary from simple press-out shapes, to more complex objects that require cutting, folding and sticking to produce their intended shape. The models come in various forms; boxed sets, postcards, pages from magazines, and jig-saw puzzles. The collection includes a large number of famous landmarks, versions of which have been produced by many manufacturers. But some models are less well known, including fictional locations from television programmes, and one amateur designer’s own house. Some publishers focus on a specific genre of buildings such as lighthouses while others set out to illustrate types of houses and buildings rather than specific examples.

The first paper models, those to be cut out from a sheet and assembled, appeared in Europe in the 17th Century, The earliest commercial models were recorded appearing in French toy catalogues in 1800. From then on paper models became popular across Europe particularly in Germany, and in the later half of the century, the UK. Manufacturers such as Pellerin and Schreiber began producing series of hundreds of models, from famous landmarks to farmhouses and specific scenes. Originally designed for children, paper models gave their owners the chance to learn about places and people in other parts of the world. The best example of this is Milton Bradley’s Village series produced in the late 19th and early 20th Century, which showed the people of a particular country and the houses they lived in.

Towards the end of the 20th Century paper modelling became increasingly popular with an adult audience with many kits being designed for a more sophisticated modeller. During this time television tie-ins also started appearing on the market reflecting the emerging trend of media merchandising. More recently with the development of the Internet, models have appeared online and these have been printed and added to the collection. Some of these models are stand alone items, while others can be used with model railways or in fantasy role playing games.
Other number
BZ4E1 / F37 / 2780 - Freidus Numbering
Collection
Accession number
B.740-2022

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Record createdJune 14, 2007
Record URL
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