It’s not often an article on home decor begins with a health warning but here goes. If grandpa turns up with a box of lead farm animals for young Jasper (who asked for an i-phone) you have permission to confiscate and use to decorate your home.
It’s not cruel, it’s kind. Like everything in life, vintage toys degrade and the substances can be harmful to developing brains if ingested (sucked). Don’t panic. The solution is to buy modern plastic tat for your precious children and keep the lead lovelies for your home.
But here’s another warning. If you do scatter your shelves and work surfaces with lead toys, be prepared to take some stick.
Here’s an actual quote from my good friend Terri. On seeing a picture of a lead milking maid by Britains Toys on my Facebook page she wrote;
“I’m now SERIOUSLY concerned about your sanity. You should have your cards confiscated by your hubby . Perhaps you need a break…???? Would love for you to come out here.”
As my good friend Terri now runs a luxury complex in Thailand, I am not going to disabuse her worries about my mental health. But the milkmaid remains in situ on my bedroom shelf even though hubby made a more damning statement when he observed ‘Oh, don’t worry about your friend. I know why you like her. She looks like you.’
A chipped, fat, knackered and grey haired pensioner.
Gee thanks….
I used to love my toy farm even though my animals were made from cheap plastic moulds often bearing the stamp ‘Made in Hong Kong’. These days, I’ve gone all posh and collect the metal farm toys made by Britains (named after the founder William Britain) a home-grown company which launched the model home farm range in 1923 – and became the most successful toy range the company produced (which affects the value; ironically the farm items are not as valuable as say the companion sets like Britains ‘hunt because there are just more pieces still in circulation).
And the secret of their appeal…
“It is just that kind of toy which can be played with equally well by the youngest or oldest child, not to mention a large number of grownups,”….a quote from Britains catalogue in 1940 which is just as pertinent today.
As to their value, it very much depends on whether you look at the picture above and see gorgeous retro ornaments or foul, clapped-out junk. Just for the record, these three little hens retail on vintage and craft website Etsy for £29.56.
Here’s some ideas of what to do with your vintage beauties.
A Christmas tableaux
Nothing says Christmas like a farm nativity scene. Pop your farm animals on a bed of fake snow and clip a few branches of pine from your tree and it’s done. I defy your friends not to copy…
Shelf life
If you want to decorate with lead toys thing ‘tastefully’, just buy a few items you can blend in with other nick-nacks and curios.
Look out for items which can create a little scene; like the two ‘aged villagers’ left which could be placed among some farm animals with a metal dog at their feet. Add a few stiles, trees and chicken coops etc and you’re on your way to having a collection.
Talking of which…
You could start a collection
There are some ‘serious’ collectors out there and many a barn, shed and loft will be packed to the rafters with plastic and lead toys. Collectors will often have enough figures, animals and accessories to create a zoo or famous battle. James Opie is the toy soldier consultant to Bonhams Auctions and has been building his own personal collection since his childhood (he’s 73).
“I once had about 65,000 individual soldiers, but I have whittled my collection down to 15,000. The earliest soldiers were beautifully hand-painted and fascinating pieces of history, often reflecting war campaigns of the era.” James explained.
‘One of my favourites is a Pipes and Drums of the Black Watch set, which first came out in 1954. I paid about £1 in 1967…it is worth at least £500.’
If giving your life and home over to metal toys is a bit too much, visit The Soldier Museum at Houghton Hall in Norfolk to view the biggest private collection of toy soldiers in the world.
Up-cycle
Okay, if you have genuine vintage animals then step away from the spray paint. However, if you have some cheap, plastic animals you were going to throw away…here’s a jammy idea found on photo sharing website Pinterest. The idea could not be simpler. Buy some jars or re-cycle your own. Spray the lids and your animal, stick together with some crafting glue. Leave to set and voila – a great way to store little toys in the nursery. Another idea is to spray them with a metallic paint of your choice and mount them in a deep photo frame box.
Paper-weights
These little lovelies are heavy and if you want something to hold down your precious love letters or legal files – just dip into your animal farm collection. How can you say this sheep doesn’t look just right resting on my appointment’s diary?
Fancy owning some of your own?
Auction houses, EBay, Etsy, local markets and antique stores. They can cost anything from a few pounds for the 1950s and 1960s farm animals but the toy soldiers (discontinued in the 1960s due to health scares about the lead paint) can fetch thousands. At a recent Bonhams Auction sale a set of four riflemen sold for £1,375.
