Ca.1919 WASHER WOMAN & HORSE WELSH FOLK ART TOY 16 3/4" W/ ORIG. PERIOD PHOTO

Description

Original circa 1919 or so Welsh wooden folk art animated pull toy. This toy was hand made & hand painted in Wales by an arts & crafts inclined segment of the Welsh toy industry. The toy dates from approximately 1919 or so. This rare toy depicts a woman chasing a horse. In our 53+ years in the antique toy business we have never seen another example of this toy offered for sale. However, more than one example was originally made. The reason we are certain is that the toy shown in the photo is the same variety of toy. But, it is not the exact toy that we are offering. Included with the toy is the original promotional photo which was put out in conjunction with an Arts and Crafts exhibition which took place in Central Hall, Westminster.
In the 6 1/2 inches by 4 3/4 inches photo is shown a Welsh woman in traditional garb wearing a tall hat & holding another example of the toy that we have. Interestingly, as mentioned, the toy shown in the photo is not the exact toy which we own. If you look very closely in the photo you will note that there are very slight differences in the paint from ours & the one shown in the photo. The photo has lots of printed info on the back including: "New Welsh Toy. An amusing toy, made in Wales, now being exhibited at the Arts and Crafts Exhibition, Central Hall, Westminster." Also, there is an oval rubber stamp with the wording "Please acknowledge L. N. A. (48 ?) Fleet St. E. C." In addition there is an oval stamp with the wording: "Passed By The Press Bureau for Transmission Abroad."  Also, there is a penciled inscription on the back edge which may possibly be the name of the person holding the toy? But, we are not able to read the inscription.
This is a handmade toy which was likely produced by a cottage industry in Wales. When the wheels roll the wires activate the woman to move slightly up & down while moving her right arm. Her right hand has a wire that is attached to the horse. The horse has a wire attached to the neck. When the wheels roll the horse tilts forward & the back legs lift up looking like preparing to kick the woman. But, the horse keeps leaving us in suspense tilting back & forth again & again lifting the back legs up & acting like the woman will be kicked. But, the horse never kicks the woman.
The wires may possibly require a little adjustment. But, the toy may already be working as intended. We are just not certain. This toy is quite a large & impressive size measuring 16 3/4 inches long by 9 1/2 inches to the tops of the standing figures by 5 inches wide across the wheels.
The wheels & platform are made of pine & the figures are made of laminated wood. The paint is all original in all respects. There are no touch-ups to the paint. The paint shows some signs of age & use. There are no repairs to the wood. There are a few small chips to the wood & a few small age cracks to the wood.
The toy is in in very appealing condition with most of the original paint present. The toy is original except for two minor potential points. The wire which goes from the woman's hand to the horse is quite old. But, we are not certain whether it is original or an early replacement wire.
There is a little spot of old glue on the woman's wrist that is a latter addition. This looks like it could easily be flicked off. But, we decided to leave that option up to the buyer.
This toy came out of an old time collection in the Berks County, Pa. area. The toy is exactly like we obtained it. Some light dust is present on the toy. This makes quite an appealing display to show the original period toy with the same type of toy also shown in the photo.
Please examine the photos closely and purchase based on your own judgement as to condition and value. This item is inventory #9661.
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