Classic Toys of the 1940s to 1960s from Hong Kong

 Hongkong Post has released six special stamps that feature six classic toys of the 1940s to 1960s. The stamps have been printed with a lacquered-gloss effect for a nostalgic touch, and will surely rekindle many childhood memories of some of us.

Hong Kong’s toy manufacturing industry can be traced back to the 1940s. The industry started to blossom in the 1950s, when toy manufacturers in the United States relocated part of their manufacturing process to Asia for lower production costs and engaged plastics factories in Hong Kong to start secondary production lines for plastic toys. By the 1960s, Hong Kong’s toy manufacturing technology had become very sophisticated and toy manufacturing was a major local industry that, together with the electronics, textiles and plastics industries, constituted four pillar industries in Hong Kong.

The toys depicted on the stamps are the following:

Plastic Hammer ($1.70) – As the living standards in Hong Kong in early years were low, many families could only afford inexpensive toys sold by street hawkers and stationery shops. The plastic hammer is one good example.

Paper Dolls ($2.20) – Costing just a few cents, paper dolls could bring endless fun as one could always be creative and design unique outfits and accessories for the dolls.

Water Pistol ($2.90) – Hong Kong’s toy manufacturers seized the opportunity of the craze for spy movies and launched a wide range of water pistols to win the hearts of boys.

Mini Plastic Swords ($3.10) – Mini plastic swords were another pastime popular with boys. Every packet contained an assortment of different coloured weapons. To play the game, the opposing players would place a weapon on the floor or a table, and then move it by shifting, pushing or flicking. The player whose weapon landed upon the opponent’s weapon won the match and could take possession of the latter.

Yellow Plastic Ducks ($3.70) – The classic plastic toy set comprising three ducklings led by their mother duck still evokes cherished memories for many people nowadays.

Tin Frog ($5) – With the gaining popularity of plastic toys, the once fashionable tin toys gradually died out. However, they have seen a resurgence as treasures for today’s collectors.

Soruce : Hong Kong Post