July 4th patriotic bell toys

[BellToyBoy]

For the 4th of July, here's some patriotic bell toy history. Mass production of bell toys started just after the end of the Civil War and before the U. S. Centennial. The gruesome Civil War had drained the spirit of Americans. Centennial celebrations created a cause to rally the spirits of citizens around. During the Civil War great strides in mass production advanced the factories of the north. The Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia was the place to have your products seen. Numerous toy and bell manufacturers displayed their wares at the Exposition. Included were many patriotic-themed bell toys. Most of the iron bell toys were from a small town in Connecticut, East Hampton. The bell toy makers from East Hampton included Gong Bell Mfg. Co., Wm. Barton, and Starr Bros. From New York came the patriotic tin toys of Althof Bergmann. From Philadelphia, the firm of Kyser & Rex made the iron flag-waving Liberty bell toy. Some of the toys by Althof Bergmann incorporated a revolving chime that had been patented by Gong Bell. Below is just a small sampling of the bell toys of the Centennial era.

While we rejoice in the 4^th of July celebrations, we should remember the sacrifices of those that fought to create this Union, those that fought to keep the Union, and those sacrificing today, striving to create a more perfect Union.

[BellToyBoy]

Here are a few more patriotic bell toy images. The Rocking Eagle is in my collection. The Starr Bros and Wm Barton toys are in the collection of Paul Cole.