Without Equal By Ken Foust

While we often think of Victorians as a modest sort, they could be anything but when advertising their wares. And I’m not just talking about old-time carnival barkers hawking quack cure-alls. Those who sold toys were seldom shy about claiming that even their smallest novelties were celebrated, instructive, and sure to amuse both old and young alike. Since superlatives like ‘best’ and ‘finest’ were used so often, you can be forgiven for thinking that McLoughlin Brothers went a little over the top when they labeled one of their creations “The Unequalled A.B.C. and Building Blocks.” The thing is, they weren’t lying. Nothing else equals it.

What makes it special? Well, everything. First, it’s big. The dovetailed wooden box measures 12″ long by 11″ wide, and it’s 3″ deep. Second, the sixteen blocks inside show not only the complete alphabet, but pictures of eight different
animals as well. But the thing that really makes this set a knock-out is that the owner could stand the blocks atop each other to create large and colorful pictures. Some sets of alphabet blocks let you assemble one or two engravings, but this one makes four!

Subscribe!