ensemble of color tops
Date: circa 1895
Inventory Number: 2007-1-0022a-f
Classification: Color Top
Subject:
Maker: Milton Bradley Company (1860 - 1984)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
each package: 6.5 × 10.5 × 1 cm (2 9/16 × 4 1/8 × 3/8 in.)
Description:
An ensemble of six packages of educational toys. They consist in a small wooden spinning top and a series of colored wheels. All the packages appear to be more or less complete, even though the wheels are mixed between the packages. Two of the packages do not show a patent date.
On the primary paper support wheel made for these, it is mentioned that the patent is pending. On the same wheel, but for the other packages on which a patent date is mentioned, that same date is repeated on the support wheels. Each package has a folded sheet of instruction. On the instruction accompanyning the patented packages, a small paragraph (not mentioned on the the other two unpatented toys) refers to Milton Bradley's own book, entitled "Elementary Color" and also published circa 1895.
On the primary paper support wheel made for these, it is mentioned that the patent is pending. On the same wheel, but for the other packages on which a patent date is mentioned, that same date is repeated on the support wheels. Each package has a folded sheet of instruction. On the instruction accompanyning the patented packages, a small paragraph (not mentioned on the the other two unpatented toys) refers to Milton Bradley's own book, entitled "Elementary Color" and also published circa 1895.
Signedon envelopes: MILTON BRADLEY CO., Springfield, Mass.
Inscribedon four packages: The Pupil's Color Top. / For use in connection with The Bradley Scheme of / COLOR INSTRUCTION / Patented, April 23, 1895
on two packages: The Pupil's Color Top. / For use in connection with The Bradley Scheme of / COLOR INSTRUCTION
on two packages: The Pupil's Color Top. / For use in connection with The Bradley Scheme of / COLOR INSTRUCTION
FunctionThis educational toy was used as a color mixer by students in a classroom or at home to learn the rudimentary concepts of spectrum colors.
For more information, see Milton Bradley's book on elementary colors at the following website.
For more information, see Milton Bradley's book on elementary colors at the following website.
Primary SourcesMilton Bradley, Elementary Color, 3rd ed. (1895), 31-34.