Crandall’s John Gilpin Wood toy- Illustration of a Fine old English Ballad *SOLD*
Crandall’s John Gilpin Wood toy- Illustration of a Fine old English Ballad
This particular toy was a complete loss to us for history. It appeared to show an old American historical figure on a noble steed. NO! This is an American toy referring back to a “Fine old English Ballad of John Gilpin”.
This particular toy’s face, body, and hat appear to be original. The horse also appears original. The staff is a replacement. Condition is quite incredible when you consider this as an 1870’s toy!
Our toy is impressively tall and much larger than one would envision. At the time, wood and labor was cheap. We have a modern Star Wars figure as well as GoBot toy for reference.
Aside– This is about the earliest action figure we know of. Pre-Joe, Pre-star wars, Pre-Schoenhut. Crandall’s was renown for innovative and jointed toys. Each hand, hoof, and foot are dove tailed and fit into toy stands/bases. We can pose them in a number of looks, and even the coat tails can tuck into the horse for more looks. Heads, tails, and lower arms move too.
John Gilpin (18th century) was featured as the subject in a well-known comic ballad of 1782 by William Cowper, entitled The Diverting History of John Gilpin. Cowper had heard the story from his friend Lady Austen.
Gilpin was said to be a wealthy draper from Cheapside in London, who owned land at Olney, Buckinghamshire, near where Cowper lived. History suggests that he was a Mr Beyer, a linen draper of the Cheapside corner of Paternoster Row. The poem tells how Gilpin and his wife and children became separated during a journey to the Bell Inn, Edmonton. Gilpin loses control of his horse, and is carried ten miles farther to the town of Ware. Later they are safely reunited, but the tale eventually gets captures in a a book The Diverting History of John Gilpin.
A cover of the John Gilpin is shown for historical purposes but not included.
Description
Crandall’s John Gilpin Wood toy- Illustration of a Fine old English Ballad
This particular toy was a complete loss to us for history. It appeared to show an old American historical figure on a noble steed. NO! This is an American toy referring back to a “Fine old English Ballad of John Gilpin”.
This particular toy’s face, body, and hat appear to be original. The horse also appears original. The staff is a replacement. Condition is quite incredible when you consider this as an 1870’s toy!
Our toy is impressively tall and much larger than one would envision. At the time, wood and labor was cheap. We have a modern Star Wars figure as well as GoBot toy for reference.
Aside– This is about the earliest action figure we know of. Pre-Joe, Pre-star wars, Pre-Schoenhut. Crandall’s was renown for innovative and jointed toys. Each hand, hoof, and foot are dove tailed and fit into toy stands/bases. We can pose them in a number of looks, and even the coat tails can tuck into the horse for more looks. Heads, tails, and lower arms move too.
John Gilpin (18th century) was featured as the subject in a well-known comic ballad of 1782 by William Cowper, entitled The Diverting History of John Gilpin. Cowper had heard the story from his friend Lady Austen.
Gilpin was said to be a wealthy draper from Cheapside in London, who owned land at Olney, Buckinghamshire, near where Cowper lived. History suggests that he was a Mr Beyer, a linen draper of the Cheapside corner of Paternoster Row. The poem tells how Gilpin and his wife and children became separated during a journey to the Bell Inn, Edmonton. Gilpin loses control of his horse, and is carried ten miles farther to the town of Ware. Later they are safely reunited, but the tale eventually gets captures in a a book The Diverting History of John Gilpin.
A cover of the John Gilpin is shown for historical purposes but not included.