Not on display

We don’t have an image of this object online yet.

More about images

V&A Images may have a photograph that we can’t show online, but it may be possible to supply one to you. Email us at vaimages@vam.ac.uk for guidance about fees and timescales, quoting the accession number: B.142-2010

Gran'pop

Soft Toy
ca. 1938 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This monkey was made by Merrythought and bears the makers label on its right foot. Merrythought Toys first opened their factory in 1930 in Ironbridge. However Merrythought toys first began in 1919 when W.G.Holmes went into partnership with G.H Laxton, producing a mohair yarn for the toys in a small spinning mill. Some of the employees for Merrythought were previously employed by Chad Valley.

Florence Atwood was an employee who was hearing impaired and mute. She produced the entire range of toys for the first Merrythought line in 1931. She became the chief designer for Merrythought until her death in 1949. The company still operates from its factory in Ironbridge, Shropshire.

This particular monkey is called 'Gran'pop'. It is based on Lawson Wood's comical monkeys and were produced by Merrythought from 1932 to 1965. The last Lawson Wood design made by Merrythought was 'Mother Monkey', who was produced in 1965.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleGran'pop (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Mohair and velvet
Brief description
Soft toy, mohair and velvet, 'Gran'pop' monkey, made by Merrythought Limited, England, ca. 1938.
Physical description
A large Merrythought monkey with golden mohair, velvet face, ears, hands and feet. It has the Merrythought label stitched to its right foot and reads, 'Merrythought, Hygienic Toys, Made in England'. The monkey has long arms which end at its feet with velvet hands attached. The fingers and toes are well defined. The head, arms and legs are all jointed so that they can swivel. The face is also made from velvet and the features are painted on, with black eyes and pink highlights on the lips, eyebrows and nose. The ears stick out either side of the head and are sewn on. The face is slightly worn with some lighter patches.
Dimensions
  • Height: 40.5cm
  • Width: 35cm
When sitting
Marks and inscriptions
'Merrythought / HYGIENIC TOYS / Made in England' (Label on right foot)
Summary
This monkey was made by Merrythought and bears the makers label on its right foot. Merrythought Toys first opened their factory in 1930 in Ironbridge. However Merrythought toys first began in 1919 when W.G.Holmes went into partnership with G.H Laxton, producing a mohair yarn for the toys in a small spinning mill. Some of the employees for Merrythought were previously employed by Chad Valley.

Florence Atwood was an employee who was hearing impaired and mute. She produced the entire range of toys for the first Merrythought line in 1931. She became the chief designer for Merrythought until her death in 1949. The company still operates from its factory in Ironbridge, Shropshire.

This particular monkey is called 'Gran'pop'. It is based on Lawson Wood's comical monkeys and were produced by Merrythought from 1932 to 1965. The last Lawson Wood design made by Merrythought was 'Mother Monkey', who was produced in 1965.
Collection
Accession number
B.142-2010

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 1, 2010
Record URL
Download as: JSON