1980-1990 – Museum of Everyday Life

D41_002006 Salter Postal Scales

Item Reference: 002006
Category: Stationery
Format: Artefact
Description: Salter Model 702 postal scales, with scale dial on either side; though they display the same information, they are not identical in looks. The scales are labelled with both grams and pounds, going up to one kilogram. The inside of the scale dial features segments for Air Mail Letters (Zones A /B/C), Inland Letters (1st and 2nd class), and Commonwealth and Foreign Letters, alongside the corresponding postage price in pence on one side, and the same on the other with the addition of Printed Papers – Full Rate Overseas Surface. The prices differ. Registered design numbers are labelled as 952533/4/5. Made in England.
Date: c. late-1970s-1980
Further Information:  Most likely used in a business post room, as they lack official signage and certification of the Royal Mail or Weights and Measures. This could potentially explain the discrepancy of the prices, as intended to give a broad idea of the cost, rather than accuracy, or potentially one side denoted the cost of the stamp/postage, and the more expensive side included the cost of packaging needed.
Links:

Large postal scales with segmented measurement display — D41_002006_1

D41_002006_2

Close-up of the measurement segments of the postal scales, featuring different tracks for 'air mail letters', 'commonwealth and foreign letters', and 'inland letters' — D41_002006_3

Large postal scales with segmented measurement display, reverse — D41_002006_6

Close-up of the measurement segments of the reverse of the postal scales, featuring different tracks for 'air mail letters', 'commonwealth and foreign letters', and 'inland letters' — D41_002006_7

D41_002006_8

Close-up of the 'Registered Design' mark on the reverse of the postal scale — D41_002006_9

D16_001663 Superman Spinning Toy

Item Reference: 001663
Category: Toys and Games
Format: Artefact
Description: Plastic toy of Superman, with a button that shows Clark Kent changing into Superman in a phone booth; a Burger King kids club toy; made in China.
Date: 1997
Further Information: 
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D85_006659 Lego Technic Set

Item Reference: 006659
Category: Toys and Games
Format: Artefact
Description: Lego 1030 Technic 1 simple machines set, comprising assorted Lego pieces in a storage box
Date: 1985
Further Information:
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D83_006685 ‘Miss Switzerland’ Doll

Item Reference: 006685
Category: Toys and Games
Format: Artefact
Description: Small plastic toy doll, in clear plastic packaging, labelled ‘Miss Switzerland’. In clothing that resembles typical fashions of the late 1950s-1970s, with red shoes and brown hair with a red bow.
Date: c. 1980s
Further Information: 
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D83_006682 ‘Thailand’ Costume Doll

Item Reference: 006682
Category: Toys and Games
Format: Artefact
Description: Small hard plastic doll labelled ‘Thailand’ in traditional dress. The dress appears to be a mixture of the lower body panung garment and upper body suea pat garment. Features a hairstyle with two twisted buns around either side of the head. Head unattached.
Date: c. 1970s
Further Information: 
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doll in traditional thai dress — D83_006682_1

D83_006681 ‘Bruxelles’ Costume Doll

Item Reference: 006681
Category: Toys and Games
Format: Artefact
Description: Small toy doll, in clear plastic packaging, presumably sold as a souvenir from Brussels. In traditional dress. Cord in the colour of the Belgian flag colours, for hanging or holding, is attached to the packaging. Labelled with ‘Bruxelles’
Date: c. 1980s
Further Information: 
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D83_006676 ‘Normande’ Costume Doll

Item Reference: 006676
Category: Toys and Games
Format: Artefact
Description: Small hard plastic doll labelled ‘Normande’, in clear cylindrical packaging with the coat of arms of Normandy. Packaging features a gold-yellow thin cord for holding or hanging. The doll wear traditional Norman dress with features a headdress, known as a coiffe, or coiffe bigoudène, which would’ve been made of lace and muslin. Doll is potentially a tourist souvenir or hobbyist collectable.
Date: c. 1980s
Further Information:  The doll is part of a range of various dolls from regions in France; including Brittany, Champagne, and Langeais. The coiffe is also regional to Burgundy and Brittany.
Links: More about the coiffe bigoudènee .

doll in traditional dress of normandy — D83_006676_1

D53_002101 Green Wooden Kazoo

Item Reference: 002101
Category: Toys and Games
Format: Artefact
Description: Green wooden barrel-shaped kazoo, with painted instructions. Made in the USA. Plastic endcap on one side.
Date: c. 1980s
Further Information: 
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D64_006670 Skeleton Model Kit

Item Reference: 006670
Category: Toys and Games
Format: Artefact
Description: Skeleton Airfix A301N model kit, in 1:6 scale to construct a 12-inch skeleton; in original box with assembly instructions and materials.
Date: 1981
Further Information: 
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D58_002160 WHSmith Jigsaw Puzzle

Item Reference: 002160
Category: Toys and Games
Format: Artefact
Description: W. H. Smith Exclusive Collection Jigsaw Puzzle; Jumbo; made in Holland by Hauseman en Hotte nv; “Innocence”; #80091; 1000-pieces, 68cm x 48.5cm. 1000 pieces.
Date: c. 1980s
Further Information: 
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