Toy Milk Float
late 1960's (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Dark blue milk float with white roof, black metal chassis and handle that controls the direction of the front wheel. There are three wheels in total, painted white with black rubber tyres. Inside the milk float is a silver metal grid that holds the milk bottles and food packets in place.
With the milk float is a set of five white plastic milk bottles, a set of four white plastic milk bottles with yellow tops, a set of five white plastic milk bottles with green tops, a set of four white plastic milk bottles with red tops, a set of four white plastic milk bottles with blue tops. There are also four cylindrical evaporated milk containers printed in red, white and blue with silver tin lids; four cardboard food packets for jelly, tea, icing sugar, and custard powder. Additionally, a cardboard cylinder with a white metal top and base, the outside printed to look like a drum with a red background and yellow border. Finally, two bronze-coloured plastic milk churns with removable lids and moulded Tri-ang mark on the side.
With the milk float is a set of five white plastic milk bottles, a set of four white plastic milk bottles with yellow tops, a set of five white plastic milk bottles with green tops, a set of four white plastic milk bottles with red tops, a set of four white plastic milk bottles with blue tops. There are also four cylindrical evaporated milk containers printed in red, white and blue with silver tin lids; four cardboard food packets for jelly, tea, icing sugar, and custard powder. Additionally, a cardboard cylinder with a white metal top and base, the outside printed to look like a drum with a red background and yellow border. Finally, two bronze-coloured plastic milk churns with removable lids and moulded Tri-ang mark on the side.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 10 parts.
|
Materials and techniques | Painted and pressed steel, moulded rubber, colour printed paper and card, pressed tinplate, injection-moulded plastic, |
Brief description | Tri-ang steel 'Express Dairies' toy milk float with rubber tyres, milk bottles and food packets, made in England by Lines Bros, late 1960s. |
Physical description | Dark blue milk float with white roof, black metal chassis and handle that controls the direction of the front wheel. There are three wheels in total, painted white with black rubber tyres. Inside the milk float is a silver metal grid that holds the milk bottles and food packets in place. With the milk float is a set of five white plastic milk bottles, a set of four white plastic milk bottles with yellow tops, a set of five white plastic milk bottles with green tops, a set of four white plastic milk bottles with red tops, a set of four white plastic milk bottles with blue tops. There are also four cylindrical evaporated milk containers printed in red, white and blue with silver tin lids; four cardboard food packets for jelly, tea, icing sugar, and custard powder. Additionally, a cardboard cylinder with a white metal top and base, the outside printed to look like a drum with a red background and yellow border. Finally, two bronze-coloured plastic milk churns with removable lids and moulded Tri-ang mark on the side. |
Dimensions |
|
Production type | Mass produced |
Marks and inscriptions |
|
Credit line | Given by Markham Henry Bailey |
Object history | Purchased from Bradley's in Fore Street, Edmonton in about 1969. |
Historical context | This vehicle is based on the design of the 'Pedestrian-Controlled Electric Delivery Truck', known as a PEDT. It was given to Andrew Bailey (b. 14/03/1964) by his parents. The family would have had its milk delivered at the time by a very similar full size milk float. The milkman, Mr Warner, had started his business in the Hackney Road, just around the corner from the Museum. He painted his floats red and had them drawn by grey horses, so echoing the colours associated with London's Fire Brigade engines. The milk was delivered by train to Cambridge Heath station which is at a high level. Mr Warner suggested that he and the railway split the cost of a lift to enable the milk churns to be more easily taken to street level. This was accomplished and the fact marked by a metal plate fixed to the lift. |
Production | This toy was also available in red. |
Subjects depicted | |
Collection | |
Accession number | B.1:1 to 10-2010 |
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
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | February 1, 2011 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest