Vintage Humpty Dumpty Circus Elephant

Description

The A. Schoenhut Company of Philadelphia begin manufacturing toys in 1872. In 1903 they introduced their perhaps their most famous creation, the Humpty Dumpty Circus. The circus consisted of animals and human figures made of jointed wood and various accessories such as barrels, stands, ladders and tents. The handmade animal and human figures are of interest not only as toys, but are also collected as examples of American folk art.
There were several different series of original Schoenhut circus figures. The first figures were made with glass eyes. When the supply of glass eyes from Germany was cut off during World War I, the company switched to painted eyes around 1918.
In 1923, Schoenhut began offering smaller figures, about 40% to 60% the size of the first pieces. These smaller pieces are called "reduced" figures. Miniature sized sets of figures were made in 1927. Struggling to cut costs in the depression of the 1930s, Schoenhut began using decals for eyes on some figures. Continuing economic problems forced the company to close in 1935.
15 years later in 1950, Nelson Delavan purchased the rights to the Humpty Dumpty Circus name and figure designs. New pieces were made for about two years and are collectible in their own right.
I believe this is The 1950 reduced size Humpty Dumpty Circus Elephant, because they have the jointed feet. The 1923 reduced size elephants didn't have the jointed foot, but Delevan after purchasing the rights decided to make the reduced size elephants with jointed feet like the original larger sized elephants.
In very good complete condition. See photos for very good condition of this 70 year old licensed Humpty Dumpty Circus reduced size Elephant Approx. 4" high at hips.