Late 1800s McLoughlin Nesting Blocks
Dating from the 1880s or 1890s, these lithographed nesting blocks haven’t lost their trademark McLoughlin charm. The six blocks depict scenes from children’s tales and nursery rhymes, such as “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” and – my personal favorite — the old English story “Who Killed Cock Robin?”, which is captured in four illustrations and rhymes around one of the blocks.
Purchased from a long-time collector of American toys, the blocks are just as she found them some 30 years ago. They are in overall good condition, given their age. As the photos show, there is some paper loss around the edges, and the bottom panel is missing from all but the smallest block. And yet the quality of McLoughlin’s design and lithography make this a very desirable early toy. The largest of the six blocks is 6-1/2” X 6-1/2 X 5-3/4, while the smallest is 3-1/4” X 2-1/4 X 5-/3/8. Lithographed paper over wood. American.
$650