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About the exhibition
Dates: 1 May 2010–1 May 2011
Location: Special Exhibitions Gallery (Gallery 6), Level G, Maritime Galleries
Between 1850 and 1950 the development of ships underwent a massive change as steel and steam replaced wood and sail. This ignited the imaginations of children and toy makers and was met by an equivalent ‘Golden Age’ in the development of toy boats.
Borrowing extensively from the collection of the Musée national de la Marine in Paris and some of Britain’s foremost collectors, 'Toy Boats' showcases over 100 colourful and imaginative toys which recall the grand liners, submarines and battleships that defined and defended the nation.
In collaboration with...
This exhibition has been developed in collaboration with the Musée national de la Marine, Paris.
Bateaux Jouets 1850-1950 (Musée national de la Marine, 2007)
Exhibition guide
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Download the free exhibition guide and activity trail for the new Toy Boats exhibition (PDF, 3MB), and make your own paper boat.
Online gallery
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In the 19th century most toys were intended to educate and instruct children in preparation for adult life. -
Newspapers and magazines brought the maritime world into the home, describing technological wonders, naval battles and celebrated launches. -
19th-century town planning led to a rise in the number of public spaces with decorative ponds and fountains where children could play with toy boats. -
From the mid-19th century new materials and manufacturing techniques revolutionized toy making. The heart of the industry was continental Europe. -
The toy boat’s mechanism – whether steam, electricity or clockwork – often remained a secret, hidden deep inside the toy. -
By the mid-20th century changing tastes among children and the decline in the Navy’s influence on British society meant less demand for toy boats.