19th Century German Toy Theatre

Just appeared in the shop, this rather special 'Opera' theatre. A few interested customers already so I don't expect it to be around on our counter for long.

Curiouser & Curiouser

Every shop and magazine is having fun window dressing with inspiration from the visual feast of Alice in Wonderland to tie in with the release of the Disney film on Friday - and doesn't it look good! Now this band wagon was one Pollock's was going to get on and so Simon drew the above illustration to celebrate and we have picked our favourite 'Alice' inspired toys. In Richard Foulkes book 'Lewis Carroll and the Victorian Theatre' he researches Lewis Carroll's fascination for the toy theatre and marionettes, an enthusiast for all things theatrical and Juvenile, he did it seems enjoy the popular pastime of the day....and of course Tim Burton has been spied in Pollocks.

Looking for Toys

A serious lack of blogging in February. This is the month when Toyshops have to get on with the serious business of finding new toys. We braved snow and ice to travel to the heart of the toymaking area in Germany to the Nurnberg toy fair. Alongside this very serious work we visited the wonderful Doll and Toy Museum of Frau Engels in Rothenburg, a medieval walled town. Rothenburg is very popular with Japanese tourists and seems to be the inspiration for locations in Japanese animation. I wonder why in particular. It's very pretty with pastel coloured buildings and no cars. Anyway - goodies coming into the shop over the next few months, especially very traditional wooden toys from Germany.