Finding aid for the Ralph L. Tomlinson Toy Collection 2010.025.r

Finding aid prepared by Michael McArthur
Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Leatherby Libraries
Chapman University
One University Drive
Orange, CA, 92866
(714) 532 - 7711
rboyd@chapman.edu
10/20/2011


Title: Ralph L. Tomlinson Antique Toy Collection
Identifier/Call Number: 2010.025.r
Contributing Institution: Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Leatherby Libraries
Language of Material: English
Container: Toy Case 1
Container: Toy Case 2
Physical Description: 32.25 Linear feet (111 toys)
Date (bulk): Bulk, 1920-1940
Date (inclusive): 1890-2001
Language of Materials note: The materials in this collection are in English.
Abstract: Finding Aid for The Ralph L. Tomlinson Toy Collection.
Location note: Leatherby Libraries

Conditions Governing Access note

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use note

There are no restrictions on the use of this material.

Preferred Citation note

[identify item], Ralph L. Tomlinson Antique Toy Collection (2010.25.r), Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Chapman University, CA.

Scope and Contents note

This collection contains over one hundred antique toys dating from 1890 to 2001, the bulk of which originate from 1920 to 1940. The collection represents toys manufactured in Germany, France, Spain, England, Japan, and the United States. Various manufacturers are represented including The Automatic Cradle Manufacturing Company, Nuremberg Tin Toy Factory, Inc., JEP, Tech Specialties, Wolverine Supply and Manufacturing Company, Schuco, Keystone Manufacturing Company, Kingsburg, Carerra Toys, Girand Model Works Company, Louis Mark and Company, Ferdinand Struass Company, Unique Art Manufacturing Company, Pava Hermanos, Wunder Manufacturing Company, N.B.K., Modern Toys, Buddy L. Manufacturing Company, Ichiko, Marunsan Company, Hadson, Line Mar, Metalcraft, Tri-ang Toys, Arcade Manufacturing Company, Dowst Manufacturing Company, Inc., John C. Turner Company, Hubley Manufacturing, and Mack Brothers.
Categories of toys include pedal riding toys, mechanical toys, image projectors, clockwork vehicles, construction sets, battery operated toys, friction vehicles, push & pull toys, farm toys, circus toys, military figures, steam engines, and train sets.

Arrangement note

The exhibit of the collection is arranged by toy category (mechanical toys, push & pull toys, etc.) Within each catagory different manufacturers, time periods, materials, and functions are represented. However this the collection has no formal arrangement.

Biographical/Historical note

Born in Hannibal, Missouri, June 20, 1928, Ralph L. Tomlinson was one of this country’s premier collectors of antique toys. His collection of over 2,000 Victorian and early-20th century playthings was displayed in every room of his home in Newport Beach, California. 
In his early childhood Ralph’s parents gave him only clothes for Christmas. The absence of toys that year made more of an impact than even he knew. As a grown man in the early 60’s, he bought a vintage mechanical bank for 25 cents, which he sold a few years later for $350. Ralph was hooked, not so much by the profit from his first sale, as by the delight he felt in the toys themselves, and by the compelling idea of learning through play.
Ralph collected toys from all over the world. He ordered from catalogs, purchased from auctions, and attended conventions and antique stores looking another piece of history. Each toy reflecting the time period in which it was created. Ralph’s notoriety grew along with his collection and he was featured on KOCE and A&E and in many magazines and newspapers. An article in The Los Angeles Times quoted him as saying, “I love each one of my toys, and I still play with them all the time.” Jack Herbet, an antique toy consultant for the Sotherby's and Christy's auction houses, said Tomlin's collection is one of the best one the West Coast for variety and educational value.
Tomlinson kept his collection in pristine condition. “Since his earliest days of collecting, Ralph has always made sure that his toys were in excellent working order and looked their very best,” said Bertoia Antique Toy Auction House owner, Jeanne Bertoia. “Ralph likes for his toys to be shiny and clean, and because he’s mechanically inclined, nothing pleases him more than to retreat to his wonderful workshop to tinker with his toys and restore them to perfect working order. He has always been very particular about the presentation of his toys, and if he has made a repair to any of them – which he does with great expertise and subtlety –he will always point out the repair with pride.”
Ralph L. Tomlinson sat on both the Chapman University Board of Governors and the Leatherby Libraries Board. In 2008, his passion for community and generosity exceeding the love he had for his toys, Ralph donated over 100 pieces to Chapman University, along with a number of custom-made cabinets in which to display them. The resulting exhibit entitled “Learning through Play” is a tribute to Ralph’s passion and generosity, capturing as it does both nostalgia for childhood and an appreciation for human ingenuity.
Ralph passed away from a stroke on July 7, 2011 at the age of 83. The majority of his collection was sold at auction shortly after his passing.
References
Castan and Tomlinson collections step into the spotlight at Bertoia’s Sept. 23-24 antique toy auction. Retrieved 19 October 2011 from http://www.bertoiaauctions.com/guest/web/2011-9/SeptStory2011.pdf
Brewer, Melissa. (2011). Learning through play: An exhibit of children's toys, 1890-2001. Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Chapman University, CA.
Obituary, Ralph L. Tomlinson. Orange County Register. Retrieved 19 October 2011 from http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/orangecounty/obituary.aspx?n=ralph-l-tomlinson&pid=153120841

Inventory

1. Automatic Cradle Flivver Pedal Tricycle, circa 1904-1929
2. Dan Patch Pedal Car, 1911-1913
3. Bicycle, circa 1920
4. NBN Crane, circa 1950
5. JEP Speed Boat, circa 1930
6. Tech Specialties See Saw Coaster
7. Wolverine Up and Over Coaster, circa 1930-1940
8. Row Boat
9. Wheeled See Saw
10. Unique Art Kiddie Cyclist, circa 1930
11. Unique Art Li’l Abner and His Dog Patch Band, 1945
12. Schuco Nautico 3001 Speed Boat, circa 1990
13. Mechanical Trapeze Artist, circa 1920-1930
14. Unique Art Sky Ranger, circa 1930
15. Wolverine Merry-Go-Round, circa 1930-1950
16. Wolverine Auto Lift, circa 1930
17. Magic Lantern, circa 1890-1900
18. Bing Magic Lantern, circa 1920
19. Keystone Movie Projector and Films, circa 1920
20. Kingsburg Aerial Ladder Truck, circa 1920-1930
21. Kingsburg Steam Pumper Truck, circa 1920-1930
22. Girand Fire Chief Car, circa 1932
23. Carrera Landaulette, circa 1920
24. Four-Way Roadster
25. Marx Tank, circa 1930
26. Marx Old Jalopy, circa 1930
27. Strauss Leaping Lena Jalopy, circa 1920
28. Marx Double Decker Greyhound Bus
29. Marx Amos ‘n’ Andy Fresh Air Taxi, circa 1930
30. Kingsbury Golden Arrow Land Speed Racer, 1931
31. Gunthermann Silver Bullet Land Speed Racer, circa 1930
32. JEP Race Car No. 3, circa 1930
33. Roadster
34. Burnett Touring Car, circa1920-1939
35. Unique Art G.I. Joe and His Jouncing Jeep, 1944
36. Payá Car Construction Set, circa 1920-1930
37. Wunder Lumber Construction Set, 1932
38. N.B.K. Streamlined Motor Boat, circa 1950
39. Modern Toys Baggage Cart, circa 1950
40. Buddy L Mechanical Magnetic Crane, circa 1930
41. Ichiko 1965 Mercedes Benz 300 SE, circa 1960
42. Fifties 50’s Cadillac Convertible, circa 1980
43. Fifties 50’s Cadillac Sedan, circa 1980
44. Marusan 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham, 2001
45. M.F.D. Aerial Ladder Truck, circa 1950
46. Hadson Cadillac Coupe DeVille
47. Ichiko Mercedes Benz 250 SE Coupe, circa 1960
48. Line Mar Radar Jeep, circa 1950
49. Tri-ang Shell Tanker Truck, 1930-1937
50. Metalcraft White King Delivery Truck, 1931-1938
51. Buddy L Automatic Tailgate Loader, circa 1930
52. Buddy L Aerial Ladder Fire Truck, circa 1930
53. Chein Dump Truck, circa 1920
54. Arcade Yellow Cab, circa 1940
55. Arcade Weaver Wrecker, circa 1930
56. Arcade Model A Ford, circa 1920
57. Marx Coca-Cola Stake Truck, circa 1930-1940
58. Turner Ahrens Fox Fire Truck, circa 1935-1948
59. Tootsietoys Race Car No. 3, circa 1930-1940
60. Tekno Ambulance, circa 1930
61. Buddy L Railway Express Truck, circa 1925-1935
62. Chein Hercules Coupe, circa 1930
63. Hubley Horse Drawn Police Wagon, circa 1910-1920
64. Wyandotte Miniature Radio Flyer Wagon, circa 1930
65. Steelcraft Akron Zeppelin, circa 1930
66. Buddy L Motor Market Truck, circa 1930
67. Mack Steam Shovel Truck
68. Marx Tractor and Trailer, circa 1930
69. Tootsietoys Tractor, 1927-1928
70. Kenton Two Horse Dray, 1910-1914
71. Kenton Two Horse Dray, 1920-1930
72. Arcade McCormick-Deering Tractor, circa 1930
73. Arcade McCormick-Deering Thresher, circa 1930
74. Wyandotte Circus Truck, 1936
75. Schoenhut Humpty Dumpty Circus Figures, circa 1903-1930
76. Kenton Overland Circus Set, 1939
77. Semi-flat Lead Figures
78. Composition Figures, circa 1930
79. Britain Pot Metal Figures, 1946
80. Märklin Compound Steam Engine No. 4158, circa 1930
81. Doll Steam Touring Car, circa 1920
82. Doll Hammermill, circa 1900-1920
83. Weeden Electric Steam Engine No. 672, 1930-1940
84. Märklin O Gauge Train Set, circa 1920
85. Marx O Gauge Train Tunnel, circa 1930
86. Hubley Cast Iron Train Set, circa 1930
87. Lionel 152 O Gauge Train Set, 1917-1927
88. Bing 4460 O Gauge Locomotive, circa 1900-1920
89. Lionel Automatic Gateman, circa 1950
90. Hornby 50153 O Gauge Locomotive and Tender, circa 1920
91. Lionel Blue Comet Passenger Train, 1935-1938
92. Buddy L Outdoor Railroad, 1927-1934
93. Railroad Traffic Light
94. Lionel 390 E Train Set, 1929-2000
95. Wilesco Steam Workshop Accessories, 1980-2011
96. Buddy L Hook and Ladder Fire Truck, circa 1920
97. River Barge Push Boat Model
98. Buddy L FedMart Delivery Truck, circa1925-1935
99. Ertl Allied Van Lines Truck, circa 1990
100. Ertl John Deere Waterloo Boy Tractor, 1988
101. Lehmann Jolly Miller, circa 1920
102. Kingsburg Fire Chief Car, circa 1920-1930
103. A.C. Williams Buster Brown and Tige Bank, circa 1910-1919
104. A.C. Williams Saint Bernard Medical Dog Bank, circa 1920
105. Pride Lines Goofy Wrecker Bank, circa 1970
106. Ertl Texaco Northrop Gamma Monoplane Bank, 1994
107. My Bookhouse, 1920-1927
108. Outboard Runabout Motorboat, circa 1950
109. Miniature Singer Sewing Machine
110. SpecCast Wrigley’s Vintage Airplane Bank, 1992
111. Wilesco Werkstatt Steam Engine Workshop, circa 1980-2011

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Tomlinson, Ralph L., 1928-2011.
Toys -- Collectors and Collecting.
Toys -- Germany.
Toys -- History.
Toys--England.
Toys--Exhibitions
Toys--France.
Toys--Japan.
Toys--Private collections
Toys--Spain.
Toys--United States.