Not currently on display at the V&A

Toy-Toise

Tortoise
1949 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This toy with a unique trigger action operated by a spring mechanism, was introduced in late 1948 and was the first of the small toys produced under the MOBO mark, famous for the Bronco horse and several pieces of playground equipment. It was designed to help children learn to walk and two dog styles were later produced.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleToy-Toise (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Metal
Brief description
Spring action walking Toy-Toise made in England by D.Sebel & Co. Ltd under the MOBO trademark in 1949
Physical description
A tortoise shaped walking toy of pressed metal painted yellow with red markings to resemble the shell and body highlights. Attached to the underside of the shell are the head and front legs, and tail and back legs units. Both of these are supported by a bridge and bar unit running the length of the body which houses the spring mechanism which operates the toy. From the back of the toy is a long length of tightly coiled wire which ends in a trigger grip handle, painted red. When the handle is squeezed a metal rod system pulls and contracts the springs moving the back legs in opposition to the front legs so that all four legs move as do the head and tail. The "feet" are brown plastic wheels.
Dimensions
  • Length: 30.5cm
  • Width: 20.4cm
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
printed in red along the bridge underneath:-I'm the MOBO Toy-Toise I lead you follow! World Patents trademarks Reg. Designs Granted and Pending"
Credit line
Given by Miss W. S. Jamieson
Production
Reason For Production: Retail
Summary
This toy with a unique trigger action operated by a spring mechanism, was introduced in late 1948 and was the first of the small toys produced under the MOBO mark, famous for the Bronco horse and several pieces of playground equipment. It was designed to help children learn to walk and two dog styles were later produced.
Collection
Accession number
MISC.67-1992

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Record createdFebruary 19, 2004
Record URL
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