Vintage wooden toy figures Cottage with thatched roof The House that Jack Built

At the time, vintage toys from the museum were lent to schools for play just as books would be from a library. The English folk tale The House that Jack Built comes alive for children, and the set is just as intriguing to adults.

The rustic craftsmanship is very appealing with brightly-enameled figures and fine details. The articulated parts of the figures are secured with tiny cotter pins allowing them to be posed in many positions. The charming house features a cleverly-stitched "thatched" straw roof and two doors each with wire handles and hung on leather hinges. Jack, the milkmaid, a priest, cow, cock, dog, cat and rat illustrate the story. The set is missing a "bag of malt" piece (as penciled on the library's index card) and I believe that Jack was holding a staff or flail which has been lost. The custom Museum-built case is made of heavy cardboard secured by paper tape and box nails to a wooden frame, with a box top, and the materials appear to be archival in quality. The library information in the box dates to the early 1980's, I estimate the set itself as built pre-1960's and perhaps as early as the 40's. Dimensions: the Jack figure measures 4-9/16" tall, the house 8-1/2" height to the chimney. The case measures 9" x 14-1/2" x 11 height. The figures and house are marked with the Museum's catalogue numbers.