Broad Acres Toy Collection

Broad Acres Toy Collection The Museum in Llangeler, has closed and the collection has moved to a new home in Newton-in-the-Isle. Watch this page for details of opening.

From our plastic toy soldier cupboard: Some super dooper sailors and frogmen from the Lone Star Harvey Series of toy sol...
21/05/2026

From our plastic toy soldier cupboard: Some super dooper sailors and frogmen from the Lone Star Harvey Series of toy soldiers.

The binocular arm of the naval officer, is articulated and the coxswain with the steering wheel is from the (rare) cardboard landing craft.

I have several of the sailors, where arms or heads have snapped off, a common problem with some plastic figures.

“Man the boats” “We’re going ashore!”

Always something different from Broad Acres Toy Collection.

In house family entertainment ……In the shape of this c1955 movie projector.We have been mooching in our “technology” cup...
20/05/2026

In house family entertainment ……
In the shape of this c1955 movie projector.
We have been mooching in our “technology” cupboard and come up with this Peak Cine Home Projector.
Supplied with a fine assortment of 16 mm films, this little gem drew power for illumination from batteries and was hand cranked.
The box has a lift-off lid with illustrations of the variety of films available.
When the crank handle is turned, it creates quite a racket!
A delightful, mid century device that in its day, brought pleasure to many a child.
Dad of course, was always in charge!

Always something different from Broad Acres Toy Collection.

May is with us and soon the fields will be filling up with bunnies.Therefore, we considered it time to get one of our bu...
19/05/2026

May is with us and soon the fields will be filling up with bunnies.

Therefore, we considered it time to get one of our bunnies out.
After all, bunnies are not just for Easter! 🐰

From our cuddly toy cupboard, we bring you a dashing bunny on wheels.
Mohair, stuffed with excelsior, mounted on a steel frame and solid wooden wheels.
Glass eyes and original pull-along cord, completes this adorable child’s toy, made by Merrythought of Ironbridge, Shropshire In the 1930s.

Always something different from Broad Acres Toy Collection.

Take a letter Miss Taken.Tap tap tap tap …Most Esteemed Dear Sir …etc etc …The not so humble typewriter.Just one of the ...
18/05/2026

Take a letter Miss Taken.

Tap tap tap tap …Most Esteemed Dear Sir …etc etc …

The not so humble typewriter.
Just one of the inventions that were as innovative as sliced bread, but eventually gave way to the desk top and printer.

So here we have a child’s, toy typewriter of simple construction, being basically litho printed tinplate.
There is an inked ribbon and One selects a letter, dials it up and gives the machine a hearty prod!

It’s marked as : Manufacturers and patentees, Simplex Typewriter Co Inc New York.

Date : Early twentieth century.

Always something different from Broad Acres Toy Collection.

From our “jolly fast cars” collection …..A Sunbeam Silver Bullet, made by Johillco of London, c1930.The model is hollow ...
17/05/2026

From our “jolly fast cars” collection …..
A Sunbeam Silver Bullet, made by Johillco of London, c1930.
The model is hollow cast lead and has had the tail fins repaired at some time.

Always something different from Broad Acres Toy Collection.

Meet Reg.He is a wooden bodied, hand made “Teddy Boy” marionette.Reg was bought around 1990 from John Curtis of Leamingt...
16/05/2026

Meet Reg.
He is a wooden bodied, hand made “Teddy Boy” marionette.
Reg was bought around 1990 from John Curtis of Leamington Spa.
Hilary was at a toy fair in that town, when she spotted Reg on John’s stall.
Reg stands 24” ,has a stylish suit, set off by equally stylish shoes and cost £10.
John Curtis was a Toast Master, a Magician and a Puppeteer.

Always something different from Broad Acres Toy Collection.

Whatever shall we see next?A table. That’s what we see!When the museum was open, we had a time line of displays, that r...
15/05/2026

Whatever shall we see next?

A table. That’s what we see!

When the museum was open, we had a time line of displays, that ran from “19th century” into Edwardian and then the Great War, followed by the interwar years, then WW2 followed by 1950s, 1960s. 1970s and the Millennium years.

As well as toys, we mixed in period props, like an old clock or a school cap.Things that set the scene.

In our 1950s display, we had this period table, legs influenced by the aerials on the Sputnik combined with the flying wing/kidney shape that was on trend.
The top is typical of the late 1950s when coffee tables with pretty gardens gave way to modern art.

The table is c1959 and was made by West German manufacturer Opal Kleinmodel.

Always something different from Broad Acres Toy Collection.

Many Happy Returns Mister Meccano. Thanks for the nuts, bolts and plates, thanks for the Trains and the boats and the pl...
15/05/2026

Many Happy Returns Mister Meccano. Thanks for the nuts, bolts and plates, thanks for the Trains and the boats and the planes. You filled many a toy box with marvels and many a heart with joy.

Something off beat, from our collection, is this Wells Fargo coach and horses.This model has an eccentric wheel that eng...
14/05/2026

Something off beat, from our collection, is this Wells Fargo coach and horses.

This model has an eccentric wheel that engages with a rod, linked to the horses.
As the coach is moved along, so the horses move back and forth.

It was made by Morestone and available in 1949.
Made of diecast metal and titled “Galloping Horses” our example has lost the cowboy, riding shotgun and our driver has metal fatigue that has claimed his legs!

The coach originally came in an attractive closed carton with end flaps.

Always something different from Broad Acres Toy Collection.

From our toy soldier/military diecast model, toy cupboard :Humber MK 1. Armoured Car.Our example was made by toy compan...
13/05/2026

From our toy soldier/military diecast model, toy cupboard :

Humber MK 1. Armoured Car.

Our example was made by toy company Charbens and was initially a diecast model but was produced in plastic, later in its life.
Our Humber is in a desert sand finish and may have come from the Charbens Panorama series of boxed sets, one being a Desert War Set.
The wheels are hard rubber, drifted on to metal axles and there is no makers mark to be seen. The turret can travis 180. Scale (say) 1/32.

Also on post is an image of the real Humber armoured car.
In 1941 The 11th Hussars used these armoured cars in the North African campaign.

Always something different from Broad Acres Toy Collection.

From our Dinky Toys aircraft hangar.The stunning Short Shetland Flying Boat.This diecast metal model, was issued in 194...
12/05/2026

From our Dinky Toys aircraft hangar.

The stunning Short Shetland Flying Boat.

This diecast metal model, was issued in 1947 and deleted by 1949.

It falls into the Dinky Supertoys catagory and has the stock number : 701.

We think that the scale is around 1/194 and it came in an austere card box, with lift off lid and an illustrated gummed label.

It was a strange choice to model, because the actual aircraft failed to go into mass production ( designed as long range maritime reconnaissance for war service ) due to the ending of hostilities.

Dinky Supertoys Short Shetland flying boat, was made at the Meccano toy factory, Binns Road, Old Swan, Liverpool.

Always something exciting from Broad Acres Toy Collection.

Address

Broad Acres. High Road. Newton-in-the-Isle
Wisbech
PE135ET

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