Crescent Toys

Crescent Toys

Company type	Private
Industry	Toy manufacturing
Founded	1922
Founder	Henry Eagles, Arthur Schneider
Defunct	1980
Headquarters	London , United Kingdom
Products	Hollow-cast lead figures and animals, die-cast metal vehicles, toy firearms, hollow cast and plastic figures including toy soldiers

Crescent Toys operated as a British toy manufacturer from 1922 until 1980.

Overview

The company specialized in producing hollow-cast lead figures and animals, die-cast metal vehicles, toy firearms, as well as hollow cast and later plastic figures, including toy soldiers representing multiple historical eras. Established by Henry Eagles and Arthur Schneider, Crescent Toys was headquartered at 67 DeBeauvoir Crescent, Kingston Road, London. In the 1930s, Henry’s brother Arthur joined the business under the pseudonym Mr. Harvey to avoid perceptions of favoritism and took charge of lead casting operations. As Henry’s health deteriorated and wartime conditions affected the firm, Arthur assumed greater control with assistance from Henry’s daughter Doris. Following Henry’s passing in 1942, his children—Harry, Ernie, Frank—and Doris, who served as company secretary, gained majority control after World War II.

History

In recognition of his stewardship role, Mr. Harvey was granted shares and acquired a residence in Essex. Die Cast Machine Tools, originally a supplier of casting equipment to Crescent, evolved into a rival by marketing finished toys instead of components. Pursuing government industrial grants to facilitate relocation, Crescent established a manufacturing plant in Cwmcarn, Wales in 1949. While most company directors moved to this new site, Mr. Harvey remained in Tottenham to continue providing toys at lower production costs.

Disagreements within the family prompted Mr. Harvey to found The Harvey Toy Company in Wood Green and form partnerships with former competitors such as Die Casting Machine Tools—later known as Lone Star Products—and other enterprises. Meanwhile, other family members expanded into related sectors: Ronald worked in Lone Star’s tool room; Anthony engaged in religious activities; another sibling developed plastic assembly techniques marketed under the PHASA brand.

The United States experienced a notable downturn in demand for toy soldiers and toy guns during the Vietnam War era.

Prior to the Second World War, Crescent acquired moulds and inventory from C.W. Baker (Reka). During the 1950s, the company produced detailed dioramas illustrating British retail shops and classrooms and manufactured licensed figure sets based on Dan Dare and Thunderbirds franchises.

See also

• Hollow casting
• Toy soldier