Artist: Hamley, Francis, issuer; Date(s): 1893 - uncertain 1901; Classification(s): medal, medals, medalets; Acquisition: given by Withers, Paul, 2003-11-25 [CM.3127-2003]
Description: Although the Regent Street toyshop founded by William Hamley is world-famous, with branches in the USA and Denmark, this advertising token did not originate there but with his brother Francis's rival establishments, one of which was actually next door to William Hamley's shop on High Holborn, closed after a fire in 1901. The other, as the token indicates, took over from Bland's Magical Palace (of Conjuring Wonders and Puzzledom). Bland's was still operating in 1893, but the junior Hamley's there, which seems to have continued its predecessor's focus on magician's goods, did not apparently survive for long.
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