Dismal Desmond
Soft Toy
1927-1935 (made)
1927-1935 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Dismal Desmond was designed by Richard Ellott and was one of the most successful toys of the 1920's. He was the mascot of the England Cricket Team that year, as well as a mascot in the ladies changing rooms at Wimbledon. Desmond remained in production until the World War II, and was reintroduced in the 1980's and 90's.
Object details
| Object type | |
| Title | Dismal Desmond (manufacturer's title) |
| Materials and techniques | printed cream velveteen with kapok stuffing; yellow silk ribbon around neck |
| Brief description | Soft toy, Dismal Desmond made in England by Dean's Rag Book Co in about 1930 |
| Physical description | The soft toy represents a Dalmatian dog with the velveteen printed with black spots. Black lines have been used to show the facial features and paws. Sewn to the right side of the mouth is a tongue of pink felt, now faded to beige. Around the neck is a silk ribbon, slightly frayed at the ends. The toy is made of a number of parts machine and hand sewn together to create the shape of the head, body and limbs. The front of the head is in one piece with the nose panel sewn down the front and around to the throat; the tongue is sewn into the mouth. This gives a long face with square spout. Ears are separately sewn on. The back of the head, though part of the part, is stitched from between the ears to the base of the neck to shape it. The body is in four parts. Two parts, sewn up the centre of the back, are the back to the base of the tail and the outside of the front legs. The other two parts are the inside of the front legs and the chest and stomach, all sewn together and sewn to the body back. The back legs, each of two parts sewn together, are sewn to the body and likewise the tail. The body and the head are sewn together at the neck where the marks are printed. This line is covered by the ribbon. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | printed around the neck: DISMAL DESMOND TRADE MARK with the printed mark in a rectangle of two dogs with a rag and MADE IN ENGLAND 8.50 BY DEAN'S RAG BOOK CO LTD.
also U S A PATENT 15.2.27 |
| Object history | References: Games & Toys, various issues, 1926+; Collectors' Encyclopedia of Dolls, Vol 1 & 2; British Doll Makers Dismal Desmond was a character designed by the company in both sitting and standing stances; various sizes were also made from about 17½in high down. The soft toy was introduced at the BIF, Feb. 1926 and made until 1935, according to company records. As this one bears the US patent date 1927, it will have been made after that date. |
| Production | Made by: The Dean's Rag Book Co.Ltd. |
| Summary | Dismal Desmond was designed by Richard Ellott and was one of the most successful toys of the 1920's. He was the mascot of the England Cricket Team that year, as well as a mascot in the ladies changing rooms at Wimbledon. Desmond remained in production until the World War II, and was reintroduced in the 1980's and 90's. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | B.226-1996 |
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| Record created | April 18, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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