Category Archives: News

These are two examples of a large collection of textile costume dolls from the mid 20th century, due to be loaned from The Atkinson, Southport for our Objects of Desire exhibition.

Dolls in national dress were popular tourist collectables throughout the 20th century, produced as gifts for loved ones back home or keep as mementos.

They are less common nowadays, and often examples reflect outdated and harmful stereotypes of indigenous peoples.

Though they depict a romanticised image of the communities these dolls represent, the quality of these examples shine through, bursting with detail and decorative trim, with beautifully painted faces and soft hair.

This small group of chocolate boxes and tins is just beginning to be what you might consider a collection. The majority have been kept for many years, used to store bits and bobs and precious trinkets.

Some of the examples are still in production and have become well-loved classics. Cadbury’s Milk Chocolate Drops (now known as Buttons) are a particular favourite of the owner!

The Terry’s Moonlight box were purchased to go with the existing collection as they rekindled fond memories.

Smithy visitor Colin Griffiths bought some of these old light bulbs for cars and motorcycles years ago as a lot, purely because he liked the colourful graphic designs of the packaging.

He has bought more over the years and even used some of the contents as he needed them for his other passion: restoring vintage British motorcycles!