Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: paper toys

The back of this Good Humor Man paper mask from the 1960s gives assembly instructions (push out the perforated ear flaps, attach elastic band, put it around your head) and then advises, "Hi, now you're a Good Humor Man, too. Always remember why Good Humor Ice Cream is by far the best. Good Humors are made from sweet ice cream and delicious fresh fruits.... And Good Humors are covered with a thick layer of rich Dutch chocolate." Yum!

"Whirlpool Humming Spinner. RCA Whirlpool Home Appliances. Spin it!" This 1960s advertising giveaway came with string and instructions for removing the pre-punched center disk, opening holes to thread the string through, and pulling on both ends of the string in order to spin the disk, which produced a humming or whirring sound (the illustrations of the boy and girl show how this worked). Homemade "button buzzer" versions use a button instead of a cardboard disk. I was surprised to discover that this toy has a long and varied lineage. As Wikipedia explains in its buzzer (whirligig) article, "A buzzer (buzz, bullroarer, button-on-a-string) is an ancient mechanical device used for ceremonial purposes and as a toy. It is constructed by centering an object at the midpoint of a cord or thong and winding the cord while holding the ends stationary. The object is whirled by alternately pulling and releasing the tension on the cord. The whirling object makes a buzzing or humming sound, giving the device its common name." Wikipedia also mentions that Native American made buzzers out of wood, bone, and stone for use in ceremonies and as toys as far back as 500 B.C. It's amazing to think that counterparts to the Whirlpool Humming Spinner were in existence more than twenty-five hundred years ago!

"Happy Easter. Cut along the blue outline, stick toothpick through both blue dots, pinning them together, and see the baby chick hatched. Chick-Chick Easter Dyes, the Children's Delight." This small insert came with packets of Chick-Chick Easter Dyes and allowed children to assemble a simple paper toy.

This advertisement consists of two die-cut pieces--shaped like a cow and a milkmaid--that have been glued together. For the back of this two-part advertising trade card, see De Laval Separators Have Revolutionized Dairying . "De Laval Cream Separators. Save $10 per cow every year."

This advertisement consists of two die-cut pieces--shaped like a cow and a milkmaid--that have been glued together. For the front of this two-part advertising trade card, see De Laval Cream Separators . "De Laval Separators have revolutionized dairying. All styles and sizes, $50 to $800, farm and factory." "Nearly 500,000 farmers, all over the world, have found a De Laval Cream Separator the best investment they ever made. Send for catalogue and name of local agent if not stamped above."

A paper toy spinner intended to be given out to children on "Rally Day," a special celebration held by some Protestant churches in September or October to promote family attendance at church services and children's participation in Sunday school. "Glad you are here on our Rally Day. Insert pin and spin. Be a ten point member. 1. Attends regularly. 2. Comes on time. 3. Contributes weekly. 4. Studies the lesson. 5. Is attentive. 6. Seeks new members. 7. Is friendly. 8. Reads the Bible daily. 9. Prays for himself and others. 10. Attends church."

Despite the impressive illustration, this small Cracker Jack prize, constructed of multi-layered cardboard, required kids to pull the layers apart, push out die-cut pieces, and then stick the pre-gummed areas of the pieces together in order to form a less-than-convincing moustache disguise. Text printed on the back of the kit (the numbers and letters refer to a small accompanying diagram): "Instructions. Back of pieces 1 & 2 are gummed. Push out pieces 1 & 3. Moisten back of end marked A on 1 and stick on end marked A of [on] 3." Todd Franklin (Neato Coolville) also has a copy of this over on Flickr: Cracker Jack Handlebar Mustache Disguise Kit .

"Old Fashion Ginger Snaps. Baked by Nabisco. National Biscuit Company." In addition to this paper pirate mask, Nabisco also promoted its Old Fashion Ginger Snaps with a "Rocket Man" mask (which turned up in a Google search--I wish I had a copy of it!), and I'm guessing that both masks probably date to the 1960s or 1970s. And who knew that pirates had such big ears? 8-)