Hopalong Hollow....

Hopalong Hollow, where the Blueberries grow sweet, and the moss feels soft beneath your feet.

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Under the Christmas tree....in 1903



Turn of the Century toys made with wood and paper lithography are favorites of mine. Perfect and very sweet under a Christmas tree adorned with traditional glass ornaments. I love the simplicity of these toys.  I just find them to be so colorful and artistic.

 These little horses are paper lithograph on wood. Chromo-Lithography was a new and exciting printing process in the late 1800's.This horse set was the first litho toy I ever purchased, over 25 years ago.
Up close:
The artwork could be painted in great detail, and then printed to be used in hundreds of ways. Especially for playthings. Here you see the printed paper atop the wooden body with metal legs which move as you push the wagon along.
Here is another, smaller litho horse and cart.

 The paper covered picture puzzle blocks were very popular at the turn of the century.

 As were the nesting blocks.

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I love these wonderful images, they are too darling for words!
I am sure, that at the time of printing, the colors were quite brilliant and bright.
Now, a century later, they have mellowed to a nice subdued tint.
To avoid too much clutter, I'm not putting too many pieces on this small table, but
  I have dozens of games, puzzles, and toys made in this manner because
 these old time playthings are easily available for the antique toy hunter.

 You will want a toy whose paper is fairly intact. If it is loose in any way, you can repair it with white glue. Most of these Lithograph on wood toys are very affordable.
 The Bliss Company was on the forefront in making these toys, Noah's arks, blocks, ships, trains, games, Pianos....
 I'm afraid my little toy piano is in pretty rough shape as far as the litho art is concerned, It is barely there at all... but I paid a  pittance for the piano, so it was worth it.
Bliss was most famous for their dollhouses.

 Bliss Dollhouses can be pricey, but are clearly charming.
Bliss dollhouses are litho-covered wood, inside and out. The bricks, windows, balusters, curtains, everything... Is printed paper.
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 The front of the house opens up and....
 
The wallpaper, carpets and fireplace are already inside.
Even the furniture  was made of paper!
 You could get free furniture with the purchase of certain products such as Buttermilk Soap! Just cut it out, fold and paste.
 Now, the reason my Bliss Dollhouse is in such wonderful condition, is because it is NOT an antique, but rather, was made from a kit copying the original dollhouse down to the tiniest hinges.
Honestly, most of the antique Bliss dollhouses go for thousands of dollars, much too high for my budget, so, in this case, I am happy to make a reproduction.
And, I am about to make another one.
Here is another Bliss kit, which I hope to put together this evening so that I can add it to the Christmas display.
If you want to put a Bliss Dollhouse under your tree this year, the designer making the kits is Jean Nordquist, and you can find her online.
 PS. I happen to know there is a finished  Bliss Dollhouse on Ebay right this minute, it is just like mine!
Cheers to you, and off I go to find my glue and scissors......


38 comments:

  1. What a nice collection you have of these interesting pieces. Perfect for your home, so lovingly decorated for Christmas.

    Happy Christmas holidays ~ FlowerLady

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    1. Hi Lorraine, It takes a little more energy each year to put up the decor, as you well know, but the end result is well worth it.Having a lit tree in one's presence just feels nice.

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  2. Your collection is fabulous and the horse and cart especially appeal to me, plus that doll house you are making. Merry Christmas to you.

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    1. Terra, Those horses are some of my favorite antiques. When i was young, I really wanted a HORSE.... now, I just collect the toy horses.

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  3. Your Bliss pieces are lovely, Jeri. I especially like the bird blocks--so pretty, as well as the gorgeous dollhouse. Have fun making another! Merry Christmas, my friend. xo ♥

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    1. Martha, those bird blocks were a real find! Can you imagine my delight in seeing them at the antiques shop at a really good price?!! I snatched those up in a flash. The dollhouses are so easy to make because the designer did all the hard work.

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  4. THESE are the kinds of toys that become heirlooms, toys made with SKILL and wood and other everyday materials. THAT HORSE and cart, LOVE.

    Excellent collection dear Jeri, and perfect for your farmhouse style. I love it!

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    1. Anita, I never did find that magazine... I looked for it. Indeed, mine is a farmhouse style, it has to be what with all the chickens, goats and donkeys running around this place! They would seriously complain if I changed my look.
      I love your style as well, it is very pure. pristine and elegant.

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  5. Such pretty things! Perfect for your beautiful home...love to you!

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    1. Debra, Howdy! Best of Christmas to you and your hubby!

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  6. Well who knew? These are wonderful. I have never encountered anything like them in antique shops around here. The horse and buggy are particularly cunning.

    What fun to put together you own doll house from a kit like this. I'll have to look into that, although my cats probably would try to move in immediately which most likely wouldn't work too well.

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    1. Vic, I find a lot of my toys on EBAY these days. In the shops, they are generally placed in a glass case, so you would have to be looking for them. The houses are too small for my cats, thank goodness!

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  7. Jeri, Your tree is beautiful and charming!
    Thank you for the intro into chromolithography toys. I knew about book illustrations, but didn't know about the toys.

    Wishing You & Yours Fun Holidays!

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    1. Maywyn, Yes, storybooks really came into their own during this period, because of the beautiful printing option.

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  8. Jeri, you have got such beautiful treasures around your Christmas tree. Those early toys are spectacular and time's patina has only made them more special to my eyes.

    Seeing your photographs caused me to start thinking of the opening words to Twas the Night Before Christmas.... Perfect setting. xo

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    1. Frances, I agree that it's the aged patina that makes the toys so beautiful. I enjoy the mental image of "not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse". Of course, my cats are not allowed in that room; THOSE creatures would be climbing the tree.

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  9. I have never seen those toys and just love them. Wonderful old Christmas toys.

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    1. Donna, I am surprised you've not seen Litho toys as you've been such a collector of olde things. Maybe I've just been lucky in my hunt for them.

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  10. The Lithographs and Dollhouses are wonderful..The covered blocks were around in the 80's at Christmas time ..I had a set that has gone somewhere..I think a dog go one of them..Treasures all.

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  11. Missy, blocks are some of my favorites; easy to find as well. The whimsical, and lush artwork used on such a small space is sometimes pretty remarkable!

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  12. Your decorated tree and display of toys is charming, Jeri. Merry Christmas!

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    1. Thanks Cathy, I'm not doing much more decorating than that tree.... maybe a wreath and of course, a Nativity. Merry Christmas to you too!

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  13. I am just in love with this litho-covered wood Doll house. You have such a great collection, Jeri. I really like the the nesting blocks. The images are so sweet. I think it adds to the charm that they are so faded. I hope you will share the next one you are making..
    Your tree is the essence of Christmas. It is just beautiful!
    Merry Christmas, Jeri
    fondly,
    Penny
    p.s. Thank you for letting me know about your new email. I responded yesterday. Hope you received it.


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    1. Penny, I finished that kit house today. It's not the one I told you about in my last email, that's for another post. I did not get your email. will you try again? jeri@jerilanders.com

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    2. Just sent you another email. It was my mistake. I think I got it now.
      Thanks Jeri!

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  14. Beautiful! I love your collection of old toys and have always had an interest in the Bliss dollhouses. Thanks for sharing yours! On another subject...I slightly remember a post some time ago where you had mentioned you liked Inis (?) perfume. Am I correct in this? If so, I have recently seen it in a Hallmark store. You don't have to go all the way to Ireland to get it! Of course, the trip is more than worth it!

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    1. Wendy, How nice of you to remember the perfume post, yes it was Inis. Of course it would be more fun to buy a bottle in Ireland, but it's good to know I can buy some nearby. I still have 3/4 of a bottle so, I'm good for awhile yet.

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  15. I love this fragrance. I first purchased it in an irish store in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin i since have purchased it at several illinois stores i like the fresh ocean smell of it i am tickled you like it, also merry christmas and a happy new year to you and your fur families

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  16. Thanks Judi for the Christmas wishes and the same your way! When I purchased the Inis, I also bought a bottle of Connemara. The Connemara is way too strong for me and very spicy. I may have to give it away on this blog for someone who likes something with a lot of oomph!

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  17. Jeri, oh my goodness! What an absolutely beautiful blog, and you are beautiful! Thank you for looking at my simple little blog. What a compliment. There is so much here I want to read and look at. I have to put supper on the table now, but I will be back to visit. I am following your blog, but for some unknown reason my profile picture has stopped showing up.

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    1. How delightful; I stumbled upon your blog, read about how you love animals, gardening, sewing and craft, and that you DON'T like to cook. I said to myself, she is a lot like me! I see you had baby chicks at the worst possible time of year and I do too. Last year, one of my ducks thatched 8 ducklings in December and deserted them. I had to raise them in the mudroom. So nice to meet you.

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  18. Dear Jeri,

    Your toy and book collection is so nice, you could start your own museum! Thank you for sharing your fun with us.

    Love,

    Marqueta

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    1. Marqueta, I actually could, especially with boxed board games from the early 1900's. and tin toys. I have been collecting them since I was 20 years old.

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  19. Dear beautiful lady - my eyes are misting over viewing your vision
    of Christmas past....Love the Bliss...imagine being able to "whip"
    one up in an evening... Just finished my contribution to Christmas
    recollecting throughout our interior and exterior.. just as you remember it...A most blessed Christmastide to you and James, dear heart....

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    1. Our dear Mary, No one knows how to do Christmas like you... Every room in your house is Christmas perfection, wish we could have gotten together to celebrate the season. Sending you our love and admiration...

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  20. Dearest Jeri what a lovely Christmas setting. Your antique toys are just perfect. It is such a delight to come visit you. Those paper covered picture puzzles are so lovely. I think I appreciate the muted tones over how vivid they were originally. Want to wish you and yours the Merriest Christmas ever and a blessed New Year. Your blog is such a blessing to me. Hugs!

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    1. Thanks Deborah, It is often hit and miss when I try to get to your blog, I don't know why I cannot open it at times. So, I wish you, your hubby and your fabulous dogs, a marvelous Christmas!

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  21. So beautiful! I love old toys. They do bring out the child in us don't they?

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