'Emergency Ward 10' Hospital

Physical description

[Toy hospital] Hospital Building, two storey rectangular building constructed on three tray like floors and two sided room compartments together with the lift areas; held together with tongues and slots; decoration is in green and yellow with white and grey
the base, larger than the rooms, is marked to show driveways, stonework and inside, the floor of one ward; lift end is marked with parking and lift instructions
top floor is marked as a leisure area in green with yellow, bordered by stonework; outer edge is red with white lettering
middle floor is marked inside with the floor of one ward and outside with stonework; outer edge is red with white lettering
outer sides of both rooms are yellow with squares in red and white; each have 5 windows along the long side and one in the end, windows of clear plastic designed to swivel; insides are yellow with blue panel around the lower part; each has at the lift end a pair of clear plastic swing doors; the lift area block is of lithographed metal; lift doors are red plastic and the same as the top of the lift - bottom area has two and middle area has only one

under the base there is a corrugated cardboard lining marked with cut away areas
all the parts are linked with tongues and slots; at the top are slots for the tongues from the lift casing
[Lift building] Lift Turret,
metal structure, white printedwith yellow and red
at either end is attached by tongue and slots, red plastic doors which go up and down
at either side are double windows of clear plastic housed in white fittings
the roof is metal attached by tongues and slots; outer side printed in red with white lettering
at the centre of the roof is a metal handle, enamelled white, which turns the ratchet to raise and lower the lift - inside the housing below the handle is a length of white cord with a metal ring near its bottom end which is to be attached to the lift itself

along bottom edge are tongues which are to slot into the top of the building
[Lift] Lift, bridge like structure with arches and lugs to hold the lifting yoke which attaches to the cord
LIFTING YOKE IS MISSING
[Rod] Lift Runner, metal rod which passes from the roof of the lift block , through the edges of the lift platform and into holes at the bottom
capped with a knob of brown plastic
[Rod] as B.254:4-1998
[Cap (closures)] runner cap
[Cap (closures)] as B.254:6-1998
[Wall] Partition Wall
clear plastic moulded flat on one side and corrugated on the other; at the top it is section representing clear windows
down one edge, on both sides, are a set of dots which stablise the window when placed between the window fittings of the rooms
[Wall] as B.254:8-1998
[Bed] Hospital Bed
four legged flat bed with open slats at one end and a central panel at the other end representing the case note board
[Bed] as B.254:10-1998
[Bed] as B.254:10-1998
[Bed] as B.254:10-1998
[Bed] as B.254:10-1998
ONE LEG IS MISSING
[Bed] as B.254:14-1998
[Mattress] Mattress
pale blue plastic moulded to represent a mattress with a diamond and stud pattern and a pillow
[Mattress] as B.254:16-1998
[Mattress] as B.254:16-1998
[Mattress] as B.254:16-1998
[Mattress] moulded pink plastic and the same design as B.254:16-1998
[Mattress] as B.254:20-1998
[Table] white plastic moulded to represent a four legged table
[Table] as B.254:22-1998
[Table] red plastic designed as B.254:22-1998
[Table] as B.254:24-1998
[Chair] Upright Chair
white plastic moulded to represent a straight chair with slatted back
[Chair] as B.254:26-1998
[Chair] as B.254:26-1998
[Chair] red plastic designed as B.254:26-1998
[Chair] as B.254:29-1998
[Chair] as B.254:29-1998
[Cabinet] Bedside Cupboard or Locker
white plastic moulded to represent a cupboard with a drawer and bottom door with a knob
[Cabinet] as B.254:32-1998
[Cabinet] as B.254:32-1998
[Cabinet] as B.254:32-1998
[Cabinet] as B.254:32-1998
[Cabinet] as B.254:32-1998
[Table] Hospital Bed Table
white plastic moulded to represent a high arch shaped table with flat tray like top
[Table] as B.254:38-1998
[Table] as B.254:38-1998
[Table] as B.254:38-1998
[Table] as B.254:38-1998
[Table] as B.254:38-1998
[Basin] Wash Basin
light pink plastic moulded to represent a hand basin on square shaped pedestal; taps are indicated at the back of the basin
[Basin] as B.254:44-1998
[Basin] as B.254:44-1998
[Basin] as B.254:44-1998
[Chair] Lounger
red plastic moulded to represent a lounger chair with sloping back, arm rests and ridged surface
[Chair] as B.254:48-1998
[Chair] as B.254:48-1998
[Chair] as B.254:48-1998
[Chair] Rocking Chair
red plastic, moulded to represent a rocking chair with the seat loosely hooked over each rocker using the arm rests; back is decoratively moulded with the rest of the chair is plain
[Wheelchair] Wheelchair
pale pink plastic moulded as an all in one wheelchair with two large pink rear wheels and one small black one at the front of the foot rest
[Wheelchair] as B.254:53-1998
[Stretcher] moulded white plastic representing a stretcher with four carrying arms, four small feet underneath and the indication of a pillow at one end
[Stretcher] as B.254:55-1998
[Trolley] Hospital Trolley
open lattice with four black wheels
[Table] Operating Table
flat table top moulded on a square footed pedestal via a plastic and brass swivel joint which allows the table to be angled
[Table] Instrument Table
rectangular with two shelves and handles at the top side edges
[Table] as B.254:59-1998
[Table] Table for Bowls
similar to B.254:59-1998, with two holes cut into each shelf
[Stool] three legged high stool with foot rest circling the legs
[Stand] Drip Stand
white plastic pole with a hook at the top end; bottom pushes in the base B.254:64-1998
[Base] base for drip stand
round with bowl in the centre to hold the stand, pink plastic
[Bottle] pink drip bottle, with a pale pink loop at the top and a pale pink tube extending from the bottom
[Bottle] as B.254:65-1998
[Cylinder] oxygen cylinder, moulded pink plastic
[Cylinder] as B.254:67-1998
[Bucket] very pale pink with white handle
[Bucket] as B.254:69-1998
[Bowl] bowl, very pale pink moulded plastic
[Bowl] as B.254:71-1998
[Chamberpot] chamberpot, moulded pink plastic
[Crutch] crutch, very pale pink moulded plastic
[Crutch] as B.254:74-1998
[Skeleton] human skeleton, white moulded plastic
[Figure] white solid plastic moulded to represent a figure of hospital staff
-surgeon in a half sitting position designed to be sitting on the tall stool
[Figure] as B.254:77-1998
- masked surgical staff, amn with arms outstretched, on oval base
[Figure] as B.254:77-1998
- masked surgical staff, man with arm across body, on oval base
[Figure] as B.254:77-1998
- masked surgical staff, woman with arms outstretched, on oval base
[Figure] as B.254:77-1998
-masked surgical staff, woman with arms behind back, on oval base
[Figure] as B.254:81-1998
[Figure] as B.254:81-1998
[Figure] as B.254:77-1998
- stretcher bearer, man in long coat with hands designed to hold the stretcher, on oval base
[Figure] as B.254:84-1998
[Figure] as B.254:77-1998
- nurse with right arm stretched out, on oval base
[Figure] as B.254:86-1998
[Figure] as B.254:77-1998
- nurse with both arms outstretched, on oval base
[Figure] as B.254:88-1998
[Figure] white solid plastic moulded to represent a figure of a hospital patient
- male patient in pyjamas, bare feet, sitting up
[Figure] as B.254:90-1998
[Figure] as B.254:90-1998
[Figure] as B.254:90-1998
[Figure] as B.254:90-1998
[Figure] as B.254:90-1998
- woman in gown, lying down
[Figure] as B.254:95-1998
[Figure] as B.254:95-1998
[Figure] as B.254:90-1998
-man in a dressing gown, with left arm in sling
[Figure] as B.254:90-1998
- boy lying down with arms on chest
[Figure] as B.254:99-1998
[Figure] as B.254:77-1998
- man in suit holding book in right hand, on oval base
[Figure] as B.254:77-1998
- stretcher bearer wearing a sweater, hands designed to hold stretcher, on oval base
- figure could also be used to hold the crutches
[Figure] as B.254:102-1998
[miniature (size attribute)] white plastic moulded to represent a slatted garden seat or bench
[Chair] garden chair designed to match the garden seat, B.254:104-1998
[Chair] as B.254:105-1998
[Flag] pale pink plastic moulded to represent a flag pole, with white knob at the top and white 'rope'; it ends with a knob which fits into the stand, B.254:108-1998
flag hangs at a slight angle and is covered with paper printed in red to show the name of the hospital
[Base] sucker of clear plastic with centre bowl to house the bottom of the flag pole
[Instructions] coarse paper folded in half and printed in black to show the title and illustrations for assembling the hospital and arranging the contents
[Box] original box, made of cardboard which is printed on the outside and stapled along the centre bottom
[Insert] corrugated brown card

Place of Origin

UK
Hong Kong, China (manufactured)
England, Great Britain

Date

about 1963 (manufactured)

Artist/maker

Mettoy Playcraft Ltd (manufacturer)
Britains Ltd (manufacturer)

Materials and Techniques

[Toy hospital] mild pressed steel, lithographed, clear plastic, red plastic; corrugated card
[Lift building] mild pressed steel, lithographed metal, enamelled cord

Marks and inscriptions

METTOY
PLAY THINGS
[Toy hospital] GENERAL HOSPITAL
QUIET PLEASE
OPERATING THEATRE
SURGICAL WARD
[Toy hospital] EMERGENCY WARD 10
OUTPATIENTS
CASUALTIES
LIFT
[Lift building] METTOY HOSPITAL
[Chair] MADE IN
ENGLAND
[miniature (size attribute)] Britains Ltd
[Chair] Britains Ltd
[Flag] OXBRIDGE GENERAL HOSPITAL
[Base] triangle shape with:-
PATENT APPLICATION No. 21100/59
[Instructions] emergency ward 10
HOSPITAL
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ASSEMBLY
[Instructions] METTOY
PLAYTHINGS
REGD.
in a diamond shape
[Instructions] ARCLE NO. 6306
MADE IN GT. BRITAIN
[Box] Assembled
EMERGENCY WARD 10
HOSPITAL
24 Assorted Figures
Nurses, Operating
Theatre Staff, Patients
Over 60 Pieces of Hospital Equipment
Beds, Chairs, Lockers
Theatre Fittings, Stretchers Etc
Movable Transparent Partitions, Opening Windows
Operating Lift, Sliding Lift Shaft Doors
Wards Fitted with Swing Doors
MADE IN GT. BRITAIN
METTOY
PLAYTHINGS in diamond mark
[Box] METTOY PLAY THINGS
EMERGENCY WARD 10
HOSPITAL
Brightly printed metal
Construction
[Box]
[Box] Article No. 6306
MADE IN GT. BRITAIN
[Box] Open This Side
[Box] 91/-
[Box] ...PLAYCRAFT TOYS LTD
SWANSEA INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
SWANSEA
AURORA HOBBIE KITS trademark
[Box] ...W H SMITH & SONS LTD
3 GREENGATE STREET
STAFFORD
STAFFORDSHIRE
P67722

Dimensions

[Toy hospital] height: 11¼ in, length: 24½ in, width: 11¼ in
[Lift building] height: 6 in, length: 6¼ in, width: 4 in maximum with roof and tongues
[Lift] length: 4¾ in, width: 2¾ in, height: 1½ in
[Rod] length: 15¾ in
[Wall] height: 5 in, width: 7¾ in
[Bed] length: 6.8 cm, width: 3.3 cm, height: 4 cm head board end, height: 3.5 cm foot end
[Mattress] length: 6.4 cm, width: 3.1 cm, depth: 0.5 cm highest point of pillow shape
[Table] height: 2.8 cm, width: 3.2 cm, length: 4.9 cm
[Chair] height: 4.5 cm, width: 2 cm
[Cabinet] height: 3.1 cm, width: 2.2 cm, depth: 1.9 cm
[Table] height: 4 cm, width: 4 cm, depth: 1.3 cm
[Basin] height: 3.3 cm, width: 2.6 cm, depth: 2.2 cm
[Chair] length: 6 cm
[Chair] height: 2.5 cm, width: 2.5 cm
[Wheelchair] height: 3.7 cm, width: 3 cm
[Stretcher] length: 10 cm, width: 2.5 cm, height: 0.8 cm
[Trolley] length: 5 cm, width: 2.8 cm, height: 2.4 cm
[Table] length: 6.6 cm, width: 2.7 cm, height: 2.5 cm when table is flat
[Table] height: 3.7 cm, width: 2.8 cm, depth: 2.2 cm
[Table] width: 3.6 cm, height: 3.6 cm, depth: 1.9 cm
[Stool] height: 2.7 cm, diameter: 1.7 cm
[Stand] height: 7 cm
[Base] diameter: 3.3 cm
[Bottle] length: 6.6 cm
[Cylinder] length: 4.2 cm
[Bucket] height: 1.4 cm, diameter: 1.7 cm
[Bowl] height: 0.6 cm, diameter: 1.1 cm
[Chamberpot] diameter: 1.5 cm, height: 0.7 cm
[Crutch] height: 4 cm
[Skeleton] height: 5 cm
[Figure] height: 5.5 cm
[miniature (size attribute)] height: 2.7 cm, length: 5.8 cm
[Chair] height: 2.7 cm, width: 2 cm
[Flag] height: 7.8 cm
[Base] diameter: 2.8 cm
[Instructions] height: 10½ in, width: 8 in folded
[Box] length: 25 in, width: 12¾ in, height: 11¾ in

Object history note

Emergency Ward 10 was a popular TV program shown on the ITV side. In 1962, a range of merchandise in connection with the program was proposed. This toy, designed to sell for 89s 11d, was approved by Gilbert Pickett, Managing Director of Televeision Character Merchandise, 65 Victoria Street, London, SW1.

Other toys also approved were playsuits by D Dekker retailing from 18s 11d up and a pocket book edition by Mayfair Books at 2s 6d. each.

Mettoy published an illustration in their 1963 catalogue which was sent to Games & Toys.
[Base] the number 21100/59 is a patent application which will have been applied for in 1959

Historical context note

Mettoy Playthings was one of the trade names of the Mettoy Co Ltd which later was joined by Playcrafts

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Games & Toys, September 1962, 70 Games & Toys, April, 1963, 56

Production Note

marked MADE IN GT. BRITAIN; some parts made in Hong Kong; some parts made by Britains Ltd

Reason For Production: retail

Materials

Paper; Card; Plastic; Brass; Cord; Mild pressed steel

Techniques

Moulded; Printed; Enamelled; Lithographed

Production Type

Mass produced

Collection code

MoC