Toy gypsy caravan
probably G. & J. Lines Ltd
Category
Toys
Date
circa 1902 - circa 1913
Materials
Wood and metal
Measurements
620 mm (length); 380 mm (width); 557 mm (height)
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 665371
Summary
A 'G & J Lines', England, wooden toy push or pull-along gypsy caravan (circa 1902 to circa 1913) with the manufacturers embossed metal thistle bade on the front. Marketed in a 'Gamage's' catalogue (1902 to 1913) as 'Gypsy Van', model number 226 and originally with brushes and brooms on the exterior and a ladder at the rear. The catalogue also shows a horse on a wheeled platform attached. The wheels are described as 'spider wheels'. The original 'Lines' company was trading in the period circa 1880 to 1930 variously as G&J Lines or J&G Lines, the initials referring to the two brothers, George and Joseph Lines. They operated a number of small factories in North London, making a wide range of toys. Lines Bros, despite the original founders being brothers, relates to George's three sons who after the first world war broke away from the parent company to trade as Lines Bros. Lines Bros rationalised the business and flourished on the growing mass market for toys. In 1927 (till 1971) they became 'Lines Bros Triang' and for a while became the world's largest toy company. Their wooden rocking horses however did not survive in production after World War 2, although Triang did make cheaper metal and plastic rocking horses for the post war mass market. The caravan may originally have had a horse attached. It has hinged front and back doors with oval windows above each. It has a shaped window on either side. The caravan has a slightly curved roof and a chimney. Two large metal spoked wheels are at the rear and two metal spoked smaller wheels are at the front. The front pair of wheels rotate on a pivot allowing the caravan to turn left and right. All four sides and the doors and windows have painted details surrounding them. On either side of the caravan is a metal hook facing upwards. At the back of the caravan are four metal hooks, on either side of the door, all facing upwards. On the front of the caravan are two metal hooks on one side of the door, also facing upwards. On the other side of the door are two empty holes with no corresponding hooks). A circular metal plate with an embossed thistle (this is attributed to G & J Lines) on it is beneath the window on each side. The circular metal plates are worn. At the back of the caravan is an oval metal plate with embossed illegible lettering.
Makers and roles
probably G. & J. Lines Ltd , manufacturer Triang , manufacturer