Heritage Toys

Remember when games used the magic ingredients of skill and imagination?

There is an interesting story behind every toy and game. They have been a part of childhood for thousands of years, as early as 4000 B.C. games became a source of entertainment. The people of Babylon played a game that preceded the present day game of chess.

Fast forward to the Victorian era when a Salem, Massachusetts man, S.B. Ives developed "The Mansion of Happiness," the first board game in the United States. The object of the game was to move around the spiral track and be the first player to gain eternal happiness. Good deeds allowed you to advance, while deeds such as cruelty and being ungrateful moved you back.

Board games took off and by the 1870's and 80's with the advent of colorful lithography, all manner of games were developed and designed.

Replica board games from the 1880's and 90's through the 1950's are to be found in the Museum Shop. Originals cost hundreds of dollars and you wouldn't want to play with them most likely. These replicas provide some family fun along with a little visit to a bygone era.

Many types of card games were popular, some just for the sake of being silly and fun, others with an educational or moral bent. We have more than a dozen reproduced, unusual, and hard to find card games, all for less then $10.

By 1916 John Lloyd Wright, the son of architect Frank Lloyd Wright invented Lincoln Logs, interlocking toy logs children use to build imaginative structures. Wright was inspired by the way that his father designed the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, Japan. A variety of building games will also make a fine gift for your budding architect.

The yo-yo was popularized in 1929 after entrepreneur Donald Duncan sees the toy being demonstrated in Los Angeles. Duncan buys the small yo-yo company for $25,000 and 30 years later, sales of Duncan yo-yos reached $25 million dollars. We carry the replica model of the original and also the 1965 Worlds Fair model too.

The 1950s saw the advent of all things space age and with that came toy robots! All types of wonderful wind up, light up, smoking, whirling, walking robots! These replica tin toys are highly prized and are an adult collectible not really a toy for young children, as they once were. The SOHO Museum Shop has a regular clientele who like to collect each one as they come in, to decorate their offices with. They make a great gift for the man who has everything else! They really are fun, and colorful and the variety is ever changing.

Heritage games are one of our specialties, along with adult collector robots, and folk and fairy tale books too.

SOHOs replica games are simple, fun, nostalgic, and don't require batteries or electricity! And best of all, they are affordable! Just a few games to be found at the SOHO Museum Shop are:

Laripino - 1920's
This simple but inspiring game is both exciting and educational. Exciting as you watch all the marbles rolling down the spiral and anticipate what each will score; educational as each player must use simple addition to add up his or her score.
$11.95

Lollipops - 1950's
Use your wooden 'Lollipop' to strike the counters and score the highest points. You will need a steady hand and accurate wrist movement to get each counter flicked exactly on the spot you need.
$19.95

Panic Post - 1920's
A hugely hilarious and frolickingly funny game. Run around the house or garden to find the correct post box to post your card - don't get in a PANIC. A perfect game for social gatherings and family parties.
$11.95

Flipping Fishes - 1930's
Imagine you have prepared your Fishes for dinner in the frying pan and suddenly they jump out and try to escape. You cannot touch the fishes with your fingers so you must flip your fish with your pan onto your dinner plate! $11.95

What's Wrong - 1940's
A thought provoking party game. Can you spot the deliberate mistakes in the pictures?
$5.50

Tipsi - 1930's
You must go 'Tipsi' with this challenging game of skill and patience. Pick up the balls using only your wooden 'spade' and 'TIPS'! them into your round pot - it's not as easy as it sounds but a steady hand does the trick.
$10.95

Hopla - 1890's
A game which requires a steady hand and a skilful 'flick'. Use the wooden hands to flick the cones onto the scoring net.
$11.95

Satellite Shoot - 1950's
Destroy all your opponent's satellites to claim victory over the satellite skies. It is not an easy task - make the right choice, fire your shots and you will soon be the victor ... but make the wrong choice and your opponent may destroy your satellites and rule the skies! $19.95

Grand Prix - 1930's
A fast moving game of racing for up to four players. Avoiding the hazards, be the first to the finish post or land on the pitfalls and be sent back to the start.
$14.95

Roll tennis - 1930's
A quick and fast moving game of table top tennis for 2 people. Based on an original German game this set comes complete with its German instructions as well as a full English set.
$19.95

Rolo Boko - 1930's
A great family game, full of character from the 1930s. Roll the disc around the perimeter of the shaped heads (6 head designs and 2 discs included).
$22.95

Steeple Chase - c. 1900's
Will your horse be first past the post in this early board game? $12.50

The Comical Game of Who? - c. 1900's
A game for any number of players. Full of laughter caused by the ridiculous questions and answers.
$8.95

Not Too Apparent Apparel - 1920's
Guess the answers from the clues provided, all answers are names of wearing apparel.
$8.95

Party Game - 1930's
A great party game, includes 12 question and answer cards.
$8.95