Alan Powers discusses the subject of his latest book 'Abbatt Toys: Modern Toys for Modern Children'. The event was moderated by Deborah Jaffe, author of The History of Toys.
From 1932 to 1973, Paul and Marjorie Abbatt Ltd. was the leading British company making and selling a range of toys and play equipment based on theories of child development and play. Teachers and shoppers looking for something brightly coloured, versatile, charming but robust and usually made of wood, knew that their shop at 94, Wimpole Street (designed by Ernö Goldfinger in 1936) or their mail-order catalogues would provide it.
Inspired by what they saw in Austria, Germany and Russia in 1931, the Abbatts maintained contacts in these countries, while providing opportunities for two Bauhaus refugees, Franz Singer and Ludwig Hirschfeld-Mack. They also helped rescue the specialist in play for disabled children, Milan Morgenstern (another Bauhäusler), his wife and children from Vienna in 1938, helping them to find their feet and contribute to this field in Britain.
Alan Powers’ book, Abbatt Toys: Modern Toys for Modern Children is published by Design for Today and he has contributed to an exhibition on the same subject at Margaret Howell, 34 Wigmore Street, from 23 October to 11 November 2020.
