Building blocks
Classification(s):
Wood
Date: c.1951 - 1976
Organisation: Galt Toys (England)
Organisation: James Galt and Company Limited
Organisation: Camphill Village
Dimensions:
178 × 240 mm (17.8 × 24 cm)
Medium: Wood
Object number: W443G
DescriptionSet of wooden building blocks, manufactured by Camphill Village for James Galt and Company Limited. The set comprises 10 square building blocks, 4 triangular building blocks and 2 planks.
ProvenanceThis object was originally acquired from John Galt.
This object was originally acquired for the Inner London Education Authority’s (ILEA) ‘Circulating Design Scheme’ collection.
The collection was instigated by the London Country Council (later the Greater London Council) and the Council of Industrial Design (COID). The collection’s original purpose was concerned with the teaching and dissemination of modern, ‘good design’.
The collection was established in 1951/52 as the ‘Experiment in Design Appreciation’, later renamed the ‘Circulating Design Scheme’.
The Circulating Design Scheme lent boxed showcases to London schools. The showcases contained handling objects, material samples and interpretation on a specific subject.
COID withdrew its involvement in the Scheme in 1957. After which time, it was managed exclusively by the London County Council from 1957-1963.
After the administrative restructuring of London authorities, the Scheme was jointly managed by the Greater London Council and the Inner London Education Authority (ILEA) from 1963 – 1976.
The Scheme was operational until 1976 when the collections were withdrawn from circulation. ILEA was abolished in the late 1980s and the collection was donated to Camberwell College of Arts in 1989/90.
ILEA was responsible for secondary and tertiary education in the inner London boroughs, this included Camberwell.
This object was originally acquired for the Inner London Education Authority’s (ILEA) ‘Circulating Design Scheme’ collection.
The collection was instigated by the London Country Council (later the Greater London Council) and the Council of Industrial Design (COID). The collection’s original purpose was concerned with the teaching and dissemination of modern, ‘good design’.
The collection was established in 1951/52 as the ‘Experiment in Design Appreciation’, later renamed the ‘Circulating Design Scheme’.
The Circulating Design Scheme lent boxed showcases to London schools. The showcases contained handling objects, material samples and interpretation on a specific subject.
COID withdrew its involvement in the Scheme in 1957. After which time, it was managed exclusively by the London County Council from 1957-1963.
After the administrative restructuring of London authorities, the Scheme was jointly managed by the Greater London Council and the Inner London Education Authority (ILEA) from 1963 – 1976.
The Scheme was operational until 1976 when the collections were withdrawn from circulation. ILEA was abolished in the late 1980s and the collection was donated to Camberwell College of Arts in 1989/90.
ILEA was responsible for secondary and tertiary education in the inner London boroughs, this included Camberwell.
Notes
This object was circulated to London schools as part of the Inner London Education Authority’s (I.L.E.A) Circulating Design Scheme, which operated from 1951-1976. The set of first bricks featured in the ‘Design for Play Children’s Toys’ group in case number 1. The boxed showcase describes different types of toys for the different needs of children aged 1-3 years. The showcase states “good toys must be made of the best material and workmanship; they must be properly designed for the age and play purpose, they must be safe and strong enough to last”. This object was originally acquired from John Galt. The associated record card indicates the boxed showcase was in use from 1967-75. Original photograph of boxed showcase by an unknown photographer.
This object was circulated to London schools as part of the Inner London Education Authority’s (I.L.E.A) Circulating Design Scheme, which operated from 1951-1976. The set of first bricks featured in the ‘Design for Play Children’s Toys’ group in case number 1. The boxed showcase describes different types of toys for the different needs of children aged 1-3 years. The showcase states “good toys must be made of the best material and workmanship; they must be properly designed for the age and play purpose, they must be safe and strong enough to last”. This object was originally acquired from John Galt. The associated record card indicates the boxed showcase was in use from 1967-75. Original photograph of boxed showcase by an unknown photographer.
