Featured Merrythought felt camel, could it really be from the 1930s? It looks brand new!

Hi all! I would love your thoughts on this little camel I just picked up from my local thrift store. To me it looked like a repro old style toy until I saw the neck and foot labels and thought that it may actually have a bit of age (along with the glass eyes). I have done a bit of research and the "Merrythought Hygienic Toys Made in England" foot tag appears to only have been used in the 1930s. Do you think that the camel is that old? It's virtually pristine. I can't find another like it or much info on the other animals that Merrythought created, especially the earlier ones. Hopefully someone can help me out with this one! It is 8"H. Thank you

 

Ooh that's great, thank you!! I can't believe how new it looks honestly.

 

she's still very cute !!!

 

Adorable!

But does anybody know what the "hygienic" is about?

 

This site seems to indicate that the label was used 1930 but they show other labels that carried on 1945 onward. So maybe a range of 15 years??

https://www.teddybear-museum.co.uk/collections/merrythought-dating-and-identification

 

I suppose that would make sense. Although this one clearly hasn't been.

 

By all appearances, that's truly vintage, an unusual offering and in excellent condition. I think I'd just go ahead and contact the company.

https://www.merrythought.co.uk/contact

Debora

 

Thank you! Good idea, I will do that and report back.

 

Yes, do please.

Debora

 

I think in the 30's folks were afraid of getting their kids sick .....and ending up in hospital.

 

The word certainly had a special meaning in that historical context.

Debora

 

After the Influenza epidemic and with Polio scouring kids back then, washable toys would have been a big deal.

 

I have it in my head that it was sort of the equivalent of the “all new materials” we see on more modern tags. Old soft stuffed animals were usually filled with scraps of fabric and wool. Hav8ng opened up a bear filled that way - it really looked like floor sweepings.

All that said - I am really not sure where I read that so take it with a grain of salt.

 

I've a vague feeling that label went through and slightly post war. But he's beenwrapped up and never played with.

 

stored in a trunk like all those wedding gift towel sets that are 75 years old still in their package!

 

Thanks for the feedback and info everyone! I feel like I need to go back to the thrift store to make sure I didn't miss any other hidden ones I will email the company and see if they have any other information they can provide.

 

I expect they will be delighted to see what you have.

Debora