Reflections of War & Society in Miniature: Lead Toy Soldiers from 1900-1960

Come examine and explore the history of some of the toy soldier sets you might have only seen in shop windows!

Part of Play Across Time: A Night of Scottish Game History

What was on sale in toy shops for Christmas 1939? According to the Illustrated London News, the toy in ‘great demand’ was a collection of lead figurines forming ‘a miniature home defence unit, complete with A.A. guns, balloon barrage, and Anderson shelter’

This is a group-based object-handling workshop where participants will have the chance to examine some of the toy soldier sets that they might have seen in shop windows from 1900 to 1960.

We will discuss how these toys were made, who made them, and what implicit messages they contain.

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This event is part of the 2026 Spring Fling: About Time. For full programme details and bookings, please visit our collection.

This event is free, but ticketed.

You will be provided with one drink on arrival, while stocks last.

If you have any access requirements, please contact ARCEngage@Glasgow.ac.uk.