Toy carousel
Can you imagine opening a gift box to find this fancy carousel? Both levels of the carousel spin as the music box plays. It was made by the Marklin Toy Company in Germany, a company world famous for its toys and sold by the Charles Mayer department store of Indianapolis in 1911.
According to Claudia Ryan, CEO of the contemporary Charles Mayer & Co., “The store carried a wide range of merchandise from hobby horses to Chinese urns. Every piece was handpicked for its exceptional craftsmanship and uncommon appeal. Each floor was a study in organized clutter; each corner held the promise of undiscovered treasures.”
Donated to the museum by longtime supporter and board member William Rockwood in 1946, the carousel spent many years as a “hands-on” artifact until that heavy use was halted for preservation. Today, there are only a few others like this one in existence.
