Toys · 1910
Dawn of Modern Play and Metal Toys
In 1910, children entertained themselves with intricate tinplate trains, mechanical building sets, and vibrant printed trading cards. As manufacturing techniques advanced, iconic characters and plush companions captured the imagination of youth worldwide.
- 1910 | American Tobacco Company
T206 Baseball Cards
Distributed inside cigarette and tobacco packs, these iconic color lithograph cards featured legendary ballplayers like Honus Wagner and Ty Cobb during the height of their careers.
- 1910 | Rose O'Neill / USA
Kewpie Paper Dolls
Before the famous bisque figurines arrived, Rose O'Neill's charming, cherubic Kewpie characters debuted as popular cutout paper dolls in Women's Home Companion magazine.
- 1910 | Frank Hornby / UK
Meccano Metal Construction Sets
Patented perforated steel strips, brass gears, and miniature nuts and bolts allowed aspiring young engineers to erect working model cranes and bridges.
- 1910 | Margarete Steiff GmbH / Germany
Steiff Mohair Teddy Bear
Crafted with soft mohair fur and the signature 'Button in Ear' trademark, these jointed plush bears remained an international nursery sensation.
- 1910 | E.I. Horsman Company / USA
Billiken Good Luck Doll
This impish, pointed-eared charm figure became an enormous novelty craze, sold as plush dolls, statuettes, and mechanical coin banks.
- 1910 | Märklin / Germany
Märklin Tinplate Electric Trains
Precision-engineered O-gauge locomotives pulling hand-painted passenger cars sped across track layouts in affluent playrooms across Europe and America.
- 1910 | American Tobacco Company
T68 Heroes of History Cards
This widely collected 100-card insert set introduced school-aged youth to famous historical figures ranging from ancient rulers to modern explorers.
- 1910 | McLoughlin Brothers / USA
Roosevelt's African Safari Board Game
Capitalizing on Teddy Roosevelt's famous expedition, this vibrant lithographed board game had players navigate the African wilderness in search of big game.
Enjoyed your trip back in time?