The Fisher Price Toy Company was formed in 1931 by Herman Fisher, Irving Price, and Helen M. Schelle. While none of the three had much experience in the field of toy manufacturing, they shared a vision to produce a line of toys that would stimulate the creativity of a child. As stated in their first catalog, it was the goal of Fisher-Price to manufacture toys with “intrinsic play value, ingenuity, strong construction, good value for the money and action.”
The company, that would one day grow into the world’s largest producers of children’s toys and furniture, started in a 3 room concrete-block building in East Aurora, New York with 16 toys. The very first toys sold by Fisher-Price were the Doctor Doodle and Granny Doodle pull-toys. These brightly colored ducks, made of Ponderosa Pine with steel construction, were decorated with non-toxic lithographs and quacked and waddled as they were pulled. This pair of ducks have been known to bring up to $1,200 each MIB {mint in box}.
The 1950s saw the introduction of plastic toys when “Buzzy Bee” hit the market. Realizing that plastic could help the company manufacture a product that would be brighter colored and longer-lasting, Fisher Price expanded their new line to include 39 plastic toys by the end of the decade.
Do any of you remember the “bubble mower” which produced a stream of bubbles when pushed, the “popcorn popper” with it’s bright colored balls that flew around inside a plastic dome, or the pull-toy trains driven by Mickey Mouse? These, and many other of the toys from the 1950s are considered “Fisher-Price Classics” and are increasing in value.
In 1959, Fisher-Price manufactured a group of little figures with animal and human characteristics. These tiny wooden figures, with no arms and no legs, remain one of the most collectible of all the company’s efforts and they were simply called Little People.
The Little People have undergone six major body configurations since their inception. Early figures were wooden. All had a cylinder-shaped body with females identifiable, for the first years, only by their eye makeup. After 1965 you will find a wider shape used for boys and men and a conical upper shape for girls. The first group of figures were sold in 1965 as the Lacing Shoe with Play Family. The set, containing a Mom, a puppy, and four child figures, is a must-have for any serious collector.
In 1968, Fisher-Price introduced the first Little People play set, the Play Family Barn which featured doors that “moo-ed” when opened. It was followed in 1969 by the Play Family House, the Play Family Action Garage in 1970, School is Cool in 1971, and the Little People Discovery Airport in 1972. Play sets, with all of their pieces, may take a while to acquire, but are of considerable value.
In spite of their popularity. the Little People faced the threat of extinction in the mid-1980s when a picture of three of the characters was featured on the cover of the Edward Swartz publication “Toys that Kill.” The book addressed the choking dangers to small children presented by many popular toys of the day. It was taken very seriously by the major toy companies and Fisher-Priced replaced their Little People with a larger version called the “Chunky People” in 1986.
For a good overview of Fisher-Price through the years, check out the official Fisher Price Collectors Club page, www.fpclub.org. Until next time………..Linda
Irvington resident Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and the valuation of estates and may be reached at 317-429-7887 or lkennett@indy.rr.com