"The Golden Age of Toys" by Jac Remise & Jean Fondin

Fine condition, first edition copy written by authors Jac Remise & Jean Fondin

Copyright, 1967. Published by Edita S.A. Lausanne. Switzerland.

From the Book: Like soldiers' uniforms and ladies' dresses, toys evolved from ancient times at a uniform pace, catering to changing tastes but manufactured by much the same procedures through the year. So it was, at least, until the mid-nineteenth century, when in the course of a few years the world' of toys changed radically, Two industrial revolutions steam and electricity-brought about the change, not only through the increased use of machines and new technique of metal casting and engraving, but also through the increased buying power of large portions of the population. Thus, in the space of sixty-odd years, the toy industry so expanded and diversified that this period from 1850 to 1914 can truly be called THE GOLDEN AGE OF TOYS.

In these years, traditional toys were perfected and new toys came into being. Thanks to machines which could roll iron, zinc and copper into thin sheets and then cut, perforate or stamp out these sheets, the shape of toys became more graceful without any loss of the solidity needed to withstand the rigors of play. At the same time, all the avenues of fantasy and imitation of reality were opened to exploration. In this golden age everything was possible and nothing had yet become stereotyped. There were toys to suit all pocketbooks and tastes, and the humour, the freshness and the ingenuity of the craftsman was still everywhere to be seen. Today, a hundred years later, those toys that escaped the ultimate fate of destruction have been given a new lease of life by collectors and museums. They have lost, of course, their original usefulness as objects of play; but they have gained instead the pleasant, antiquated grace of nostalgia. The passage of time has given them poetry and a soul, and their second existence is a calm and contemplative one. Through this book, a larger public is offered a chance to share this contemplation, this nostalgia; and to view the riches of this imaginary Noah's Ark from a bygone age which have been fortunately protected from the ravages of rust, fire, wars andthe worst enemy of all indifference.

Jac Remise inspired this book. He loves toys, he collects them in his Paris home, and he knows their history. In his programs on French television he seeks to impart to his viewers his passion for them. Jean Fondin, journalist, editor, writer of children's books, has written an elegant and well documented text which, combined with the illustrations, make of this book a work of art the most sumptuous ever to be devoted to toys. Finally, D.B. Tubbs' excellent translation has given freshness and originality to the text. In its 254 pages are 629 illustrations, 35 of them full-color prints hand-pasted to the page, with another 44 color pictures and many more in black and white, cataloguing the irresistible charm of the golden age when toys were young and gay.

CONDTION: Good, with original cover slip

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