Vintage Chad Valley horse & cart pull-along on wheels

In Edwardian times the Johnson family built one of the worlds premier  toy brands, which became Chad Valley. They sustained the market-leading position for much of the twentieth century.

An initial idea to transform a publisher's left-overs into  playthings, morphed into a sophisticated engineering and modelling business, and a franchise-specialist.

The creative Harborne team, based in the valley of the River Chad, made agreements with some of the world's great companies, helping to market their creations across the globe.

It became toymaker to the White Star shipping line, to H.M. Government, to the Great West Railway, and ultimately to  Queen Elizabeth. 

Such quality commanded a premium price. Many of the toys were destined for the upper classes, costing several weeks' wages for most people.

The legacy endures and prospers to this day as one of Britain's favourite brands, thanks in part to the foresight of the down-market retailer, F.W. Woolworth.

Material: Wood. Size: 18cm long from cart edge to the tip of the horse's nose, horse 12cm high.