Vintage 1976 Springbok Jerry Smith Collection "Antique Toys" 1000 Piece Puzzle!

Description: ANTIQUE TOYS: from the Jerry Smith Collection Almost everyone can remember a particular toy from childhood. Whether it was a favorite doll, a dump truck, a jack-in-the-box or a teddy bear, it was something that was treasured above all other toys - something we held on to until, at last we outgrew it and its value to us was lost. But as we grow older, we come to appreciate the importance of such items, as they represent our earliest dreams and aspirations. And we realize that perhaps we have allowed too many things that we have cherished to slip away from us. Jerry Smith, a Kansas City car dealer, felt just this way about a Christmas gift he received in 1923 when he was just six years old. Although young Jerry had made a long list of toys for Santa to deliver that year, he received only a small green tractor. Jerry was disappointed, of course, but in time the tractor became one of his favorite toys and the one that he never forgot. Thirty years later, Jerry Smith began a search for a replica of the tractor. To his surprise, he found four like the one he remembered, and with the acquisition of these he began a collection which now includes more than 3,000 antique toys which were made between 1850 and the early 1920's. This puzzle photograph depicts a small part of this remarkable collection. Collecting the toys, however, was only a part of Mr. Smith's interest. He was also interested in the meaning of toys to children. He remembered the disappointment of that Christmas in 1923, and he knew that there were many children who did not receive even one toy at Christmas. So Mr. Smith put his toys to work. He made them available for exhibition, photography and dec- orating purposes. They have been exhibited many times, including several special showings at the Hallmark Gallery on Fifth Avenue in New York City. Mr. Smith appeared with his toys on the Johnny Carson Tonight Show. They have been photographed by almost every major magazine publisher and the photographs have been used for many kinds of commercial and home decora- tions. Mr. Smith makes his toys readily available, but he always asks that the proceeds from their use be donated to children's charities of his choice. In this way, a collection of toys that began with one little green tractor is bringing pleasure to children everywhere! (I am open to offers, and I have a wide variety of puzzles listed that are designed for children as young as 3, to very beautiful, intricate and difficult puzzles for Adults. I also have games designed for children, learning games, cooperative games, as well as board games, strategy, trivia and Adult Party Games. I have Christmas Puzzles and items, some household items, glassware and accessories listed as well. I try to list new items everyday, so I hope you will take a look, and come back often! Thank you!)

Price: 17.99 USD

Location: Omaha, Nebraska

End Time: 2024-08-12T16:49:01.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD