The Crescent Toy Company, Ltd. was founded in 1922 by Henry Eagles and Arthur Schneider in London. Using a lead alloy, they initially manufactured soldiers, cowboys, kitchen sets, etc. Production of toys ceased during WW II as with most non-war manufacturing and resumed post-war. A change was made to more die-cast production using a zinc alloy.
Post-war the company flourished with a transition from military-themed toys to civilian, western, farm, race cars, and other production. Hollow casting ceased during the 1960’s ad with a transition to plastic figure production. The company closed in 1983.
Crescent Toy Company Gallery
One of my favorite sets is the Crescent Children’s Hospital, the doctors, nurses and patients (blue for boys and pink for girls) are actually die cast figures. The full set included bedspreads, flowers, night tables and beds.
N Joplin. The Great Book of Hollow-Cast Figures. New Cavendish Books, 1993.
