Toy Building Blocks

Object/Artifact

-

Genesee Country Village & Museum

Name/Title

Toy Building Blocks

Entry/Object ID

2001.084.1

Description

One nearly complete, very well-made German building block set. Bricks are made of chalk, linseed oil, and quartz sand. Set includes a four-piece wood case (2001.084.1.1-.4), color illustrated German/English manual (2001.084.1.5), and a set of 292 colored (red, yellow & gray) blocks in various shapes and sizes (2001.084.1.6). The outer case is made of varnished wood in a rectangular shape with brass corner decorations. The cover is missing. Originally it slid into place inside a groove. On one side of the case there is a label (2" H X 7.5" W), decorated with anchors in red and brown ink and a large '10' in the center of the label. The words: 'New Series/Richter's/Anchor Blocks/Original Box' is followed by a translation also in Spanish, German and Italian. On the bottom of the case is a small part of a label with no legible words remaining.

Collection

Genesee Country Village and Museum

Made/Created

Manufacturer

Richter's

Date made

1875 - 1900

Place

Town

Rudolstadt

Country

Germany

Region

Central Europe

Continent

Europe

Dimensions

Height

5 in

Width

14-3/16 in

Length

9-13/16 in

Diameter

1/2 in

Dimension Notes

The inner trays of the case are as follows: H: 1-1/8", W: 8-3/4", and L: 13". Each inner tray has a metal, hinged 'loop' on each end, screwed into the wood, which would allow the user to flip up and lift the tray out of the case. The manual (2001.084.1.5), is L: 7-1/8" X W: 10-5/8", consisting of 42 pages (paper cover missing), multi-colored, several paper 8-inch rulers interspersed throughout for measuring the block structures. The bricks are red, yellow and gray, in various shapes and sizes, the longest rectangular shape L: 3-7/8" X W: 1, smallest 1/2" X 1/2", and includes many arch-shaped blocks for bridges, etc.

Materials

Material

Ceramic, Wood, Paper

Material Notes

Bricks are made of chalk, sand, and linseed oil to mimic real stone.