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Toy pistols and flying boomerangs reshape 19th century play
The piece traces toy innovations from Abner Cutler and N Jenkins patenting a realistic toy pistol in 1861 to Obadiah B. Brown’s 1868 return boomerang and Anthony M. Smith’s 1872 safety improvements for toy revolvers and caps. It notes Nathan Joseph’s 1873 toy putty-blower and the era’s push for realistic yet hazardous playthings amid a burgeoning baseball scene in 1867 1868.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Abner Cutler
N. Jenkins
New York City
U. S
Obadiah B. Brown
Malden
Mass
Anthony M. Smith
Brooklyn
N. Y
Nathan Joseph
San Francisco
Calif
U.S