american-toy-theatre-circa-1900

Antique toy theatres are rare. This example was published by Richard Schwarz of New York around 1890 and features in Peter Baldwin’s charming reference book, Toy Theatres of the World.

The cardboard stage front, scenery and props are printed in colour chromolithography and fit into slots on the wooden stage floor. 

The ‘Juvenile Drama’ was a popular pastime for Victorian children. You can read all about it in my recent blog post for Homes & Antiques magazine.