Improvements in and relating to Toys employed for Advertising Purposes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 15th May, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 15th Feb., 1892-Accepted, 19th Mar., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Toys employed for Advertising
Purposes.
I, THOMAS BROOKS BROWNE, of 163, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.,
Advertising Contractor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
Various objects in common use such as matches, boxes, spills, cigars, writing
cases, educational appliances and the like have from time to time been employed as
means for advertising the specialities of manufacturers and others.
My invention relates firstly to the utilization of toy picture blocks, building
blocks, toy picture books, and toys of a similar nature intended for the amusement
of children, for advertising purposes; and secondly to the novel construction of
such toys.
In accordance with my invention I employ a suitable number of blocks or bricks
either cubical, oblong, round or other shape of wood or other material, either solid
or hollow.
In the case of hollow blocks I purpose constructing the articles of card-
board, papier-mache, wood, glass, tin or other metal. The pictures intended for
the amusement of the children are formed by suitable means and in any convenient
manner on one or more faces of the blocks, whilst the remaining sides are utilized
to receive advertisements such as "Bird's Custard Powder," "Cadbury's Cocoa,'
Pears' Soap," etc. These advertisements are formed either on plates let into the
blocks, by letters or pictures in bas-relief, or impressed in the blocks, or superficially
applied. The sides and faces of the solid blocks may be recessed and the advertise-
ments printed therein, whilst the advertisements on the metal blocks may be formed
thereon by stamping, and on glass by blowing or otherwise. Each block may have
a complete picture or object printed or painted upon it, so that a series of the blocks
may represent a train, procession, race, etc.; or, each block may have a portion
only of the picture or object depicted thereon in which case a further source of
amusement for children is occasioned in placing each block of the series in the
proper position in order to complete the representation of the object; an advertise-
ment, such as "Hudson's Soap," appearing in the background of the picture or
object if the blocks are correctly placed. With a view to facilitate the retention
of the blocks together when placed in position they are provided on the sides with
projections or longitudinal tenons and corresponding holes or grooves or equivalent
means of attachment, thus enabling the series of blocks to be fitted together as one,
and thus represent a complete picture. The metal picture blocks can be formed of
angle pieces, constituting the top and one side only of the block, in which case the
unsupported extremity of the top may rest on or be attached to the adjacent side of
the adjoining block. I do not however confine my invention to the precise details
specified.
The toy picture and building blocks constructed as above described will not only
amuse children but will serve at the same time as excellent means for advertising.'
Dated this 13th day of May 1891.
:
JAMES
STEVENSON,
20, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Toys employed for Advertising
Purposes.
I, THOMAS BROOKS BROWNE, of 163, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.,
Advertising Contractor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
Various objects in common use such as matches, boxes, spills, cigars, writing
cases, educational appliances and the like have from time to time been employed as
means for advertising the specialities of manufacturers and others.
My invention relates firstly to the utilisation of toy picture blocks, building blocks
and toys of a similar nature intended for the amusement of children, for advertising
purposes; and secondly to the novel construction of such toys.
In accordance with my invention I employ a suitable number of blocks or bricks
either cubical, oblong, round or other shape, of wood or other material, either solid
or hollow.
In the case of hollow blocks I purpose constructing the articles of card-
board, papier-mache, wood, glass, tin or other metal. The pictures intended for the
amusement of the children are formed by suitable means and in any convenient
manner on one or more faces of the blocks, whilst the remaining sides are utilised to
receive advertisements such as "Bird's Custard Powder," Cadbury's Cocoa,"
"Pears' Soap" etc. These advertisements are formed either on plates let into the
blocks, by letters or pictures in bas-relief, or impressed in the blocks or superficially
applied. The sides and faces of the solid blocks may be recessed and the advertise-
ments printed therein whilst the advertisements on the metal blocks may be formed
thereon by stamping and on glass by blowing or otherwise. Each block may have
a complete picture or object printed or painted upon it, so that a series of the
blocks may represent a train, procession, race, etc.; or each block may have a
portion only of the picture or object depicted thereon in which case a further source
of amusement for children is occasioned in placing each block of the series in the
proper position in order to complete the representation of the object-an advertise-
ment such as "Hudson's Soap" appearing in the background of the picture or
object if the blocks are correctly placed. With a view to facilitate the retention
of the blocks together when placed in position they are provided on the sides with
projections or longitudinal tenons and corresponding holes or grooves or equivalent
means of attachment, thus enabling the series of blocks to be fitted together as
one, and thus represent a complete picture. The metal picture blocks can be
formed of angle pieces, constituting the top and one side only of the block, in
which case the unsupported extremity of the top may rest or be attached to the
adjacent side of the adjoining block. I do not however confine my invention to the
precise details specified.
The toy picture and building blocks constructed as above described will not only
amuse children but will serve at the same time as excellent means for advertising.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what 1
claim is :-
1. The utilisation of toy picture blocks, building blocks and toys of a similar
nature for advertising purposes.
2. The construction of toy picture blocks, building blocks and toys of a similar
nature employed for advertising purposes of the materials and in the manner
specified.
JAMES
STEVENSON,
20, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.