Toys and Modernism: Paul and Marjorie Abbatt Ltd., 1932-1973

Nationwide arts festival celebrating refugees from Nazi Europe and their contribution to British cultureMarch 2020 marked the official end of the festival, but also the beginning of a longer-term commitment to celebrating the impact of this remarkable generation of émigrés under the Insiders/Outsiders umbrella

Insiders/Outsiders Festival

Alan Powers will discuss the subject of his latest book 'Abbatt Toys: Modern Toys for Modern Children'

From 1932 to 1973, Paul and Marjorie Abbatt Ltd. was the leading British company making and selling a range of toys and play equipment based on theories of child development and play. Teachers and shoppers looking for something brightly coloured, versatile, charming but robust and usually made of wood, knew that their shop at 94, Wimpole Street (designed by Ernö Goldfinger in 1936) or their mail-order catalogues would provide it. Inspired by what they saw in Austria, Germany and Russia in 1931, the Abbatts maintained contacts in these countries, while providing opportunities for two Bauhaus refugees, Franz Singer and Ludwig Hirschfeld-Mack. They also helped rescue the specialist in play for disabled children, Milan Morgenstern (another Bauhäusler), his wife and children from Vienna in 1938, helping them to find their feet and contribute to this field in Britain.Alan Powers’ book, <a href="https://www.designfortoday.co.uk/shop/abbatt-toys-modern-toys-for-modern-children-by-alan-powers" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Abbatt Toys: Modern Toys for Modern Children</a> is published by Design for Today and he has contributed to an exhibition on the same subject at <a href="https://www.margarethowell.co.uk/news/tag/exhibitions" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Margaret Howell</a>, 34 Wigmore Street, from 23 October to 11 November 2020.This event is organized by <a href="https://insidersoutsidersfestival.org" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Insiders/Outsiders</a>.As will be evident from the three programmes of free online events we’ve already organized, we are determined that the Insiders/Outsiders Festival should have a rich afterlife. But we need your help. So please consider <a href="https://insidersoutsidersfestival.org/support-us/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">making a donation</a> to the Insiders/Outsiders Arts Foundation (registered charity number 1182867) to enable us to continue with our - entirely not-for-profit - activities. Please note that we are registered for Gift Aid.Image: Abbatt Toys: Modern Toys for Modern Children book cover (detail)

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Toys and Modernism: Paul and Marjorie Abbatt Ltd., 1932-1973

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Toys and Modernism: Paul and Marjorie Abbatt Ltd., 1932-1973

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