Strike A Pose, Tim!

Tim shows a selection of toys that you can arrange, or 'pose'.

'The Doll's House' is a modern (1979) reproduction of a 19th Century pop-up book by Lothar Meggendorfer. He was a very talented illustrator, based in Munich. His near-caricature drawings of faces reflect the nineteenth-century interest in physiognomy and its insight into personality types! It is worth searching on his name and then switching to IMAGES, to see the amazing range and richness of his work. The book opens up to reveal a variety of rooms, each containing a variety of characters.

Also from Germany, a folk art character, made from dried prunes and a walnut!

An enormous plush toy caterpillar - what a lot of legs, and each leg with a different coloured sock!

A plastic cartoon head of a former British prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, or 'Mrs T' as she was sometimes known.

Then a twig that has been carved and painted to make a very cheerful character.

From the USA, a caterpillar-like creature, made of bubble gum!

Two little Japanese sporting characters, which Tim bought in the 1980s. Push the helmet on one, or swivel the body on the other one, and each time you do this, the face changes. There are 3 or 4 different expressions.

Finally, 'Mr Nosy' - a character that you can place on a book, and he seems to be peering over the edge!