Jantzer Archive

Walter Jantzer, (1906-1994), was one of the last of A.C.Gilbert’s employees to leave Erector Square in 1967. For fifty years, the Fair Haven factory had produced iconic learning toys.The Erector Set and American Flyer brands found new owners. But the production lines that had once employed 3000 co-workers were silent. Walter tended the boilers that preserved the sprawling buildings that would eventually find new life as studios for artists and designers.

Among the artifacts abandoned in the dissolution,Walter found 5 large scrapbooks prepared by a press clipping service. The scrapbooks document the years 1955 through 1963. What Walter preserved was a libretto of the last act of an American institution.

The Jantzer Archive Digest - Table of Contents

Scrapbook	Title	Date	Publication	Description	Tags
1	Jantzer Archive Photographs	1958 – 1963	Various	Assorted photographs.	A.C. Gilbert Company
1	New 'Hall of Science' Opens in New York	Apr-55	Toys and Novelties Magazine	After undergoing renovations the 'Hall of Science' opens with new displays. Gilbert resumes HO production.	American Flyer Trains, Gilbert Hall of Science, HO Scale
1	'Do-It-Yourself' Gifts are Dandy for Dads Who Are Handy	Jun-55	Metro Associated Services	Suggests wives purchase A.C. Gilbert products for Dads. Modeling was becoming a top hobby for men.	Gilbert Drill Leader Set
1	Why Your Feet Hurt	9/11/55	King Feature's Syndicate, Inc.	Advertisement for A.C. Gilbert Vibrator, suggests using the product for tired feet.	Gilbert Appliances, Vibrator
1	All Aboard Trainland; Modern Toys Are Lures on Road to Education	11/1955 ca.	NEA Service, Inc	Growth of Ferroequinology (Model Trains) as a hobby for men and boys; details how educational toys benefit kids.	American Flyer Trains, Education
1	Pop's Toys	12/17/55	Kansas Sun	Toy makers keep dads in mind as 'toys' remain popular with parents. Article also mentions revitalization of HO gauge trains.	American Flyer Trains, HO Scale
1	Right Toys May Help Shape Junior's Future	12/24/55	Lexington, KY Herald	Toys help children develop interest in science and technology careers.	Erector Set, Education
1	Study Planned on Shortage of Engineers	1/15/56	New Haven, CT Register	Local manufacturing firms to take survey written by industrialists and educators to solve engineer shortage.	Education, Manufacturing
1	Strictly, Business	2/15/56	Hamilton, MT Ravalli Republican	Political cartoon; Ajax Oil Co. car drives past Mervin electricity towers. 'Dig those crazy erector sets.'	Erector Set, Ajax Oil Company
1	Anyone for a Little Game of Shrimp Eggs?	4/12/56	NEA Service, Inc	A.C. Gilbert Co. now packages brine shrimp eggs with microscopes.	Education, Gilbert Microscope Sets
1	Toys can be very important to the education of a child	11/18/56	Beatrice, NE Sun	Survey of mechanical and chemical engineers state childhood toys (Gilbert) were important to their career choice.	A.C. Gilbert Jr, Engineering, Education
1	Toys Take On New Realism	10/9/56	New Haven, CT Register	Classic toys get electrified, toys reflect adult life.	American Flyer Trains, Gilbert Tool Kits, Toy Industry
1	Hey Kids! Imagine Getting Paid For Playing With Toy Trains!	12/23/56	New Haven, CT Register	Full page interview with A.C. Gilbert Company creative engineer William Russell Smith.	William Russel Smith, Engineering, Toy Industry
1	Junior Chemists	12/28/56	Stubenville, OH Herald-Star	Dangers of chemistry sets for kids – anything can and will happen.	Education
1	A.C. Gilbert to Go All Out for Health Appliance Market	1/16/57	No information listed	A.C. Gilbert Company to offer department stores 'health bar sales plan.'	Gilbert Appliances
1	The Business Built on Fun	First Quarter, 1957	Steel Horizons	Focus piece on the history of the A.C. Gilbert Company.	A.C. Gilbert Company, Toy Industry
1	Train for Girls, Saucers for Boys	3/10/57	Columbus, OH Citizen	Toy fairs display leading toys for the sexes.	American Flyer Trains, Toy Industry, Toys for Girls
1	Rocket Launcher Car is Next for Electric Trainmen	3/14/57	Caldwell, ID News-Tribune	New pride of A.C. Gilbert Co train line is 'rocket launcher car;' crime detection equipment added to chemistry sets.	American Flyer Trains, Education
1	Small Fry Railroads Fight For Control	4/7/57	Honolulu, HI Advisor	Sales battle between model train makers Lionel Corporation, A.C. Gilbert Company, and Revell Incorporated.	American Flyer Trains, Toy Industry
2	Satellites and Sidearms Top Toy Outlook for 1958	3/12/58	NEA Services, Inc.	Space toys and toy weapons expected to be big in the 1958 Christmas season.	Toy Industry, Space Race, Education
2	Toy Makers See Good Sales in'58; Count on Science, Education Items	3/17/58	Wall Street Journal	Toy sales expected to beat'57 despite recession by placing emphasis on science and education.	Toy Industry, Education
2	1958 Toys Ape World of Adults	3/20/58	Grand Rapids, MI Herald	Realistic, space age toys introduced at the annual Toy Fair in New York.	Gilbert Telescopes, Erector Set, Education
2	Star Finder, Girls' Lab Set Included in Gilbert's Line	Apr-58	Playthings Magazine	Article details new A.C. Gilbert Company products introduced at 1958 Toy Fair.	Gilbert Magic Star Finder, Erector Set, Education, Toys for Girls
2	Gilbert Science Hall Fascinates All Ages	5/4/58	New York Mirror	Description and history of the Gilbert Hall of Science in New York City.	Gilbert Hall of Science, Education
2	Science and Mechanics' 'Top Ten' Includes the Magic Star Finder	Aug-58	Playthings Magazine	A.C. Gilbert Company's Magic Star Finder named as one of the, 'Top 10 Scientific and Mechanical Toys of 1958.'	Gilbert Magic Star Finder, Toy Industry
2	Toys of the Age	8/6/58	No information listed	Modern toys leave behind classic themes for space themes.	Toy Industry, Space Race, Education
2	Gilbert Company To Hatch Ancient Eggs at Exhibit	9/6/58	New Haven, CT Register	A.C. Gilbert Company will hatch ancient shrimp eggs for use in demonstrating its line of microscopes.	Toy Industry, Education
2	A.C. Gilbert Produces Two TV Films to Spur Interest in Science	Oct-58	Toys and Novelties Magazine	A.C. Gilbert Company announces two half hour television specials in an effort to interest children in science.	A.C. Gilbert Company, Television, Education
2	The Three R's- Readin' Ritin' and Robot	11/29/58	Raleigh, NC Register	Electric toy sales up as much as 100% over previous years.	Toy Industry, Space Race, Education
2	Russia's Sputniks Affect Sales of - Toys With Purpose'	Dec-58	Cigar and Tobacco Journal	Russia's satellite has influenced a trend in space themed toys.	Toy Industry, Space Race, Education
2	Gilbert Acquires Rights to Science Electronics' Kit	Mar-59	Toys and Novelties Magazine	A.C. Gilbert Company purchases manufacturing and selling rights for Erec-Tronics Kits.	A.C. Gilbert Company, Toy Industry
2	Boy of 75 Who's Never Forgot Toys	3/19/59	Miami, FL News	A.C. Gilbert to celebrate his 50th Anniversary in the toy business.	A.C. Gilbert, Toy Industry, Erector Set
2	Gilbert and General Foods	Apr-59	Toys and Novelties Magazine	A.C. Gilbert Company and Post Cereals teamed to launch promotion.	A.C. Gilbert Company, Post General Foods, Toy Industry
2	Russians to See How U.S. Plays	5/20/59	Garden City, NY News Day	American toys to be displayed at the American National Exhibit in Moscow.	Toy Industry, Space Race
2	Gilbert Forecasts Toy Industry Boom	6/19/59	New Haven, CT Register	A.C. Gilbert Jr predicts a bright future in his speech for the Company's 50th Anniversary luncheon.	A.C. Gilbert Jr, Toy Industry
2	In This World: Million Dollar Ideas Are Everywhere	6/19/59	White Plains, NY Fair-View News	Newspaper feature on the inspiration behind A.C. Gilbert's Erector Set Girders.	A.C. Gilbert, Erector Set
2	Industry Leaders View Next Fifty Years	Jul-59	Toys and Novelties Magazine	A.C. Gilbert, Jr discusses the future of scientific toys.	A.C. Gilbert Jr, Toy Industry
2	Space Toys Losing to Westerns	7/16/59	New York Herald Tribune	Toy Guidance Council predicts Western paraphernalia to trump space toys for Christmas'59.	Toy Industry, Space Race, Television
2	Toys Are Typical of the Times; Toy Industry Paces Progress	8/7/59	Christian Science Monitor	Today's toys reflect the news in your daily paper.	Toy Industry, Education, Space Race
2	In This World: The Magic Handshake	9/27/59	Salem, MA Express	Newspaper feature focused on A.C. Gilbert's early history.	A.C. Gilbert, Mysto Magic, Erector Set
2	Conn. Toymaker Idles 150 Because of - Buyer Wariness'	10/30/59	Stamford, CT Advocate	A.C. Gilbert Company to lay off 150 workers.	A.C. Gilbert Company, Toy Industry
2	Gilbert Train to be Powered by Signal From Outer Space	11/16/59	New Haven, CT Register	Signals beamed from outer space will be used to activate an American Flyer display at the Empire State Building.	American Flyer Trains, Space Race
2	Model Kits Instructive, Fun	11/29/59	Denver, CO Post	Article discusses the A.C. Gilbert Lab Technician Set for girls.	Gilbert Girl’s Lab Technician Set, Education
3	Toys of Child Strong Asset to Character	4/17/60	Clovis, NM News Journal	Harvey E. Rath, former FBI Agent now A.C. Gilbert Company VP claims that good toys make for good kids.	A.C. Gilbert Company, Harvey Rath, Toy Industry, Education
3	National Toy Fair No Fun for 15,000 Nervous Adults	4/19/60	Wabash, IN Plain Dealer	2,000 manufacturers display their products and jockey for top billing under the Christmas trees of 1960.	Toy Industry
3	Science Helps Generate Year-Round Toy Appeal	6/2/60	Painesville, OH Telegraph	A.C. Gilbert Company reports that interest in science toys has created a market beyond Christmastime.	Toy Industry, Education, Space Race
3	A.C. Gilbert Buys 3 Top ABC-TV Shows	Sep-60	Craft, Model & Hoby Industry Magazine	A.C. Gilbert Company announces American Flyer commercials during 'Rin Tin Tin,' 'Rocky and His Friends,' and 'My Friend Flicka.' for Christmas Season.	A.C. Gilbert Company, American Flyer Trains, Television
3	A Toy Is A Toy Is A Toy Is A Subliminal Educator	11/16/60	Mobile, AL Register	Head of Milford, CT Schools, Richard Hackett says toys are subliminal educators.	Toy Industry, Education
3	Here's Some Toy Buying Hints	11/24/60	Ft. Lauderdale, FL News	A.C. Gilbert Company recommends different types of toys for each stage of childhood.	A.C. Gilbert Company, Toy Industry, Education
3	Lots of New Toys; But Old Toys Still Popular	12/1/60	Glasgow, KY Times	Article details top toys for Christmas 1960.	Toy Industry, Erector Set
3	Toy Sextants Training Skippers Of Future in Art of Navigation	12/2/60	New York Times	A.C. Gilbert Company's Observatory Set teaches navigation skills to children.	Gilbert Sextant, Education
3	Play Is Big Business; Toy Firms Report Sales Increase Over 1959	12/23/60	Rochester, ID News-Sentinel	American toy manufacturers report sales higher than previous year.	Toy Industry
4	Erector SetLinked Gilbert With Boyhood	2/23/61	Associated Press	A.C. Gilbert's death and legacy.	A.C. Gilbert, Erector Set, Toy Industry
4	A.C. Gilbert Expects 1961 Gains; Pushes Summer Toys and Research	3/11/61	Tarrytown, NY News	A.C. Gilbert Company expects 1961 sales to rise 8-15% over 1960 profits.	Toy Industry
4	Gilbert to Introduce Plane Line at October Show	Oct-61	Toy's and Novelties Magazine	A.C. Gilbert Company introduces new American Flyer model airplane line.	American Flyer Model Airplanes
4	Favorite Toys Are Old	11/12/61	Madison, WI State Journal	Top toys have been on market for decades.	Erector Set, Toy Industry
4	Model Train Now Peeks Into Future	11/22/61	McCook, NE Gazzette	Model train companies integrate aspects of Space Age to products; however, Civil War themes also remain popular.	American Flyer Trains, Space Race, Toy Industry
4	Wrather Corporation to Buy Gilbert Family's Stock	12/15/61	New Haven, CT Journal-Courier	Wrather Corporation purchases the Gilbert family's shares of common stock in the A.C. Gilbert Company for $4,000,000.	Wrather Corporation, Toy Industry
5	Gilbert Firm Has New Boss	2/14/62	Springfield, MA Union	Interview with John (Jack) Deveraux Wrather, Jr about the Wrather Corporation's acquisition of and future plans for the A.C. Gilbert Company.	Wrather Corporation, Toy Industry
5	Toys at Industry Show Vie for Buyers' Interest with Their TV Promotion Plans	3/15/62	Wall Street Journal	TV advertisements begin to influence the toy industry.	Toy Industry, Television
5	Autorama Speedway	Apr-62	Toy & Hobby Retailer	Advertisement for the new A.C. Gilbert Company American Flyer;Autorama Speedway '88' Race.	Autorama
5	Five of A.C. Gilbert's Top Toys Will Each Have It's Own Commercial	Apr-62	Toy & Hobby Whole-Saler	Gilbert toys to be advertised during top-rated children's television programs in 40 to 50 key markets during the 1962 Christmas season.	Erector Set, Autorama, American Flyer Model Airplanes, Television
5	$15 Million Sales Goal for Gilbert To Add 'Hot Items'	Jun-62	Craft, Model & Hobby Industry	A.C. Gilbert Company reveals 'One Giant Step' program, which includes a major policy change to create 'hot items' in addition to traditional toys.	Toy Industry
5	Gilbert Autorama	Fall 1962	Models and Modelers World	Description of the new Gilbert Autorama, a tabletop race-car track.	Autorama
5	They're Thinking Small; Model Railroad Firms Make Comeback, Too	10/25/62	Scripps-Howard	Both the real railroad and model railroad companies see profits.	Toy Industry, American Flyer Trains
5	Traditional Trains Vie With Highway Vehicles	11/21/62	Ottowa, IL Republican-Times	Model trains and cars both very popular with youth.	Toy Industry, American Flyer Trains, Autorama
5	Like Father, Like Son-but Building for Space Age	11/21/62	Connersville, IN	Dad's love giving Junior 'a little help' with space age themed Erector sets.	Toy Industry, Space Race
5	Science Kits Stimulate Learning	11/21/62	Alpena, MI News	Science kits teach skills, but makers suggest buying toys for children's stages not ages.	Erector Set, Erec-Tronics Kit
5	Cowboy, Little Mother, Spaceman-There's Toy To Satisfy	11/22/62	Washington Herald	Large range of toys available for the 1962 Christmas season.	Toy Industry, Space Race
5	Get Science Set in Keeping With Interest	11/22/62	California Valley Times Today	Science kits to be popular for Christmas 1962, experts suggest picking a set that compliments your child's interests.	Gilbert Hall of Science, Toy Industry
5	Toy Production Zooms Ahead	11/26/62	Christian Science Monitor	Toy industry rebounding faster than the economy, old standards and modern toys both popular.	Toy Industry, Erector Set, American Flyer Model Airplanes
5	Americans Spending $2 Billion On Toys	12/4/62	Rochester, NY Times-Union	Americans expected to spend around $2 billion on toys for the 1962 Christmas season.	Toy Industry, Wrather Corporation, Education
5	Gilbert Heads Trade Group	12/17/62	New Brunswick, NJ Home News	A.C. Gilbert Junior resigns as president of the A.C. Gilbert Company.	A.C. Gilbert Jr, Wrather Corporation, Toy Industry
6	New Toys Aim to Please Girls Past Doll Stage	3/13/63	New Britain, CT Herald	Toy companies now making items for girls; for example, A.C. Gilbert Company's 'My Mixer.'	Gilbert My Mixer, Toy Industry, Education, Toys for Girls
6	For A.C. Gilbert: Hot-Item TV and a New Approach to Marketing	3/15/63	Toys and Novelties: Toy Trade News	Commercials to be a major part of A.C. Gilbert Company's plan for 1963.	Autorama, Television, Toy Industry
6	A.C. Gilbert Hikes Budget to $2,500,000 Level	3/18/63	Advertising Age	A.C. Gilbert Company has boosted its 1963 advertising budget to $2,500,000.	Toy Industry, Television, Gilbert My Mixer, Gilbert Tuggy the Turtle, Gilbert Wing Thing, Toys for Girls
6	A.C. Gilbert Co. SetExample in Confidence	3/18/63	New Haven Register	A.C. Gilbert Company has $10 Million expansion plans.	Toy Industry
6	New Products	3/20/63	Kansas City, MO Star	New look for Erector's 50th Birthday.	Erector Set
6	Gilbert Calls'63 Line Most Comprehensive in Its History	Apr-63	Playthings Magazine	Gilbert president Quinlan calls the'63 line, 'the most comprehensive and ambitious in the history of the American toy industry.'	Gilbert Wing Thing, Gilbert My Mixer, Gilbert Autorama, Television, Toys for Girls
6	Erector Set Architects	4/21/63	Dayton, OH News	New York City architecture students create art from Erector parts.	Erector Set
6	Toy Co. Employees Like 'Babes In Toyland'	5/1/63	New Haven Register	A.C. Gilbert Company installs background music system from Muzak Corporation.	A.C. Gilbert Company, Muzak Corporation
6	Toymakers Recognize Past Error	6/13/63	Lima, OH News	Study by A.C. Gilbert Company found only 20% of toys are designed and marketed exclusively for girls.	Toy Industry, Toys for Girls
6	300,000 'Swamps' Are His Creation	6/17/63	Indianapolis, ID, News	Paul Koch to make over 300,000 swamps for A.C. Gilbert Company microscope kits.	Paul Koch, Education
6	Toy Maker Stock Booms Despite Dismal Earnings	8/4/63	Detroit, MI, News	A.C. Gilbert Company trading on American Stock Exchange at highest price in its history.	Toy Industry, American Flyer Trains, Gilbert Autorama
6	That Wing-Thing Is a Regular Wing-Ding	8/3/63	Pasedena, CA Press-Telegram	A.C. Gilbert Company's Wing-Thing on display as part of 32 annual Model Airplane Championships at Los Alamitos Naval Air Station.	American Flyer Model Airplanes, Gilbert Wing Thing
6	Toys! What Every Kiddy Understands	8/14/63	Doylestown, PA, Intelligencer	Survey of U.S. toy industry finds automated toys most popular.	Toy Industry, Space Race, American Flyer Trains
6	We Test The Wing Thing	Fall 1963	Models and Modelers World	Modelers test the new A.C. Gilbert Company Wing-Thing, which features 'Flex Wing' technology.	American Flyer Model Airplanes, Gilbert Wing Thing
6	Gilbert Kicks Off National Science Awards Program	Fall 1963	Models and Modelers World	A.C. Gilbert Company's new Awards Program open to all American school aged children.	A.C. Gilbert Company, Education
6	Toys Predict Many Things of Future	11/14/63	McPherson, KA Sentinel	Modern toys have futurist themes.	Gilbert Wing Thing, Gilbert Autorama, Toy Industry
6	Dollhouses Come In Many Styles	11/20/63	Hanover, PA Sun	Girls toys becoming more realistic, popular toys inspired by housework.	Toys for Girls, Toy Industry, My Mixer
6	Demand Climbs for Auto Racing Set	11/20/63	Grand Haven MI, Tribune	Auto racing set demand tops demand for toy trains.	Toy Industry, American Flyer Trains, Gilbert Autorama
6	Toyland'63 Mirrors Adult World	11/22/63	Holyoke, MA Transcript Telegram	Leading toys for 1963 Christmas Season mirror the reality of Adult life.	Toy Industry, Education, Toys for Girls
6	Space Age Inspires Boys' Toys	11/28/63	Glenview, IL Announcements	HO railroad sets and futurist Erector sets popular with boys.	Space Race, Toy Industry, HO Scale, Gilbert Wing Thing
6	The Wing-Thing	Dec-63	Mechanix Illustrated	Descriptive article on the A.C. Gilbert Company's Wing-Thing.	Gilbert Wing Thing, Education
6	Gilbert Recreates Stock Car Thrills	1963	Model Cars Illustrated	Descriptive article on the A.C. Gilbert American Flyer Auto line.	Gilbert Autorama

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