Japanese Wooden Alphabet or Learning Blocks
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NAME: Japanese wooden alphabet or learning block set, original wood box bottom and cardboard lid.
SIZE: The box is 10-11/16" x 10-3/8" (27.3 x 25.4cm), the blocks are 1-7/8 x 1-15/16" (4.8 x 4.9cm)
CONDITION: Great condition for it's age with light scratches and light wear. Some of the corners of the blocks have splinters of wood missing. It may have been a manufacture flaw as the wood is smooth - doesn't feel rough. The cardboard cover and picture label have wear around the edges. It is old and "crispy" and has a bend toward the middle which is more cracked than bent.
NOTES: Probably dates to the 40's or a little earlier.
Consists of 50 blocks including 4 blanks.
A lot of work went into making this set. The Japanese alphabet character is on one side with a picture of an object, whose name uses the character, is on the other with the name in written in English letters and Japanese characters. Done in burnt wood style and hand painted. The corners of the blocks have been rounded.
The wooden box bottom is rather crudely made but it is original to the set. The bottom panels look like they were recycled from old unmatched crates. The sides are of a nicer wood. The lid appears to be complete (no sides) and sits just inside the box unevenly.
This is a wonderful old toy set. Saw post war set (with a corrugated full lid and Japanese children on the picture) and some loose tiles, no box, (selling for $125). Both had a different look and "feel" than this set.
This product was added to our catalog on Friday 07 October, 2011.
