Nostalgic Toys - Sailboats

This is the first in a series of posts that will bring back memories from our childhood in the 70's, 60's, 50's and earlier.  Each post will focus on a nostalgic toy or game that made growing up fun.  Most of the toys featured will be those that were made with simple construction and basic designs.  These toys started out as playthings for children in the past, then they became collectibles and now, they are considered by many as art.

Toy Sailboats

When kids bought and sailed their play boats they imagined themselves to be sea captains searching for unexplored lands, fighting giant sea creatures and braving the rough seas.  From 1850 to 1950, toy sailboats were made to mimic adult life.  They were instructional, scientific and educational toys.  As technology advanced, so did the toy boats - wood and sail were replaced by steel and steam.   One thing does remain the same, the imagination of a child. With the myriads of types of boats floating on the oceans, rivers and lakes today, there are many toy boats for children to play with. Giving a toy boat to a child is a great gift that will help them to sail off on their own adventures to distant lands guided by their imagination.

1963 Conservatory Pond, New York City

The pictures featured in the post are photos and illustrations of sail-boating in New York City. On pleasant days, Kerbs Boathouse Pond, in Central Park hosts toy sailboat races on Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. If you don't own a sailboat of your own, they are available for rental at a cart provided by the boathouse.

1907 Central Park Yacht Pond, New York City

1958 LIFE Magazine Photo

Model Yacht Pond Central Park, NYC

Path to Yacht Pond Central Park, NYC

The Model Yacht, Central Park, NYC

The Sailboat Pond, Central Park, NYC

Resources:
http://www.flickriver.com/groups/1796794@N24/pool/random/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/mother-tongue/7676651/Toy-boats-exhibition-Enjoy-the-sail-of-a-century.html
http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/kerbs-boathouse.html
http://www.wayfair.com/Handcrafted-Model-Ships-12-American-Floating-Sailboat-HACM2290.html


Melanie Ann Mercado
M Ann M Creations