Visiting a Ping Pong Factory – August 2009

This is my first time visiting a Ping Pong Ball Factory and it is a amazing journey. As we know, ping pong ball is made of celluloid and celluloid was invented around 1850s, is one of the main material for toy making in pre war period. Although we have more than 100 types of China made celluloid toys in our museum collection, but never have any chance to visit celluloid factory. So for this time, I am just like a kid to walk around…

Celluloid sheets.

As I have an idea to reproduce vintage celluloid mickey mouse toys again, so I find a chance to speak to the owner of the factory this morning about my thoughts. But he said it’s quite difficult and almost not possible to produce a celluloid toy today. First of all, is because of the mouldings, secondly is because of the technique, thirdly…. is….quantity. He is asking me what is the quantity I am going to order….10,000 or 20,000 pieces…WOW!! 😦

Tin Toy Club / 3-6 July 2009

After one year’s preparation, the first TIN TOY CLUB (www.tintoyclub.com) was set up in Shanghai in July. In order to let more young generation knowing our club, we co-operated with the organiser of CHINA FANTASY 2009 ( A Comic and Game Convention ) to set up a small booth there from 3-6 July this year.

The China Fantasy 2009 attracted over 20,000 visitors every day.

Out staff are trying very hard to promote our products.

New products are on their way…

TIN TOY CLUB is a tin toy collectors’ club which orgainised by MARXU INTERNATIONAL LTD. It’s not only promoting new tin toy products, but also pushing the art of tin toy to more young generations in China.

After a friendly recommendation by our staff, this guy is buying 6 pieces of tin toys.

Hello, girl, u know what’s inside? 🙂

Hi, would you like to join as a tin toy club member? We now have promotion…

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Western Toys in Shanghai in 1930s

Have bought few nice pictures recently. Three pictures show Chinese kids carried Teddy Bear and another large picture ( about A2 size ) shows a lady carried an American Doll. These three pictures help me to understand what kind of western toys exported to Shanghai during 1930s to 40s.

My Toy Factory – Part 2

SPACE WHALE is a wonderful tin toy, was made by YOSHIYA in 1950s. After a deep discussion with my partner, we decided to start this project last year and I am happy to announce to all the tin toy lovers this fantastic tin toy space whale will be out SOON!!!!!! 🙂 Cheers!!

Toy Exhibition at Shanghai / Nov 2008 – Day 6 Toy Designers Gathering

Mr Wang, the toy engineer who worked in Shanghai No.2 Toy factory in the past and now is our staff who help us to make prototype. It’s his first time to see some of his works after 30 over years and the exhibition recall back some of his memories.

Mr Zheng and Mr Wang are colleaques when they both worked in Shanghai No.2 Factory. Mr Zheng is specialised in large battery operated tin toy, rather than small wind-up tin toy.

Toy Exhibition at Shanghai / Nov 2008 – Day 5 Opening Day

Today, 25 Oct 2008, is the 1st day of the exhibition. Although the visitors are not as many as last year when I had my exhibition in HK in the 1st day, but I am still really happy and excited.

Outside the exhibition hall, there is a small toy shop which allows visitors to purchase their childhood memories – TIN TOY. 🙂

In fact, the most interesting part for this exhibition is not our museum collection, it should be our punching machine :-). In order to attract the eyeballs from our visitors, either adults or kids, we bring along our small punching machine from my toy factory to the exhibition and demonstrate how toy workers assemble tin toys. Many kids would like to find out what’s that and they even have a chance to use their small legs to press the punching machine. Haha!

Toy Exhibition at Shanghai / Nov 2008 – Day 4 Interview

An English channel programme, CITY FINDER is interested to find out more abot the history and background of Shanghai made toy…

School Excursion: KINDERLAND / 5-6-08

School Excursion: GRACEFIELD KINDERGARTEN / 29-05-08

School Excursion: BETHESDA (Pasir Ris) Kindergarten / 26-5-08

After the excursion, teachers bring all the kids to the park which just in front of MoST. 🙂