social history

Whilst continuing our work in the Social History store, we have been coming across lots of boxes marked ‘Toys’.

These boxes contain a variety of items; including card games, dolls, model animals, walkers and books, some of which are in very good condition and have obviously been well cared for.

The photos below show some of the toys we have come across so far.

Enjoy!

 

Tops and Tails

Tops and Tails Card Game

Doll Clothes (very small!)

Doll Clothes (very small!)

Large china doll

Large china doll

The Tale of Ginger & Pickles by Beatrix Potter

The Tale of Ginger & Pickles by Beatrix Potter

Toy Till

Toy Till

Model Cow

Model Cow

 

Sindy's own Wardrobe

Sindy’s own Wardrobe

Tri-ang Baby Walker

Tri-ang Baby Walker

Wooden Russian Eggs

Wooden Russian Eggs

 

This week at Burymead we found these two Medical bags in brilliant condition, one belonging to Dr. Machen, who recently retired from Regal Chambers Surgery in Hitchin.

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One is an obstetrician’s bag containing cutting needle, Wrigley’s forceps, suture, cord powder and other assorted medical items.

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The other was a general medical bag, containing bandages, scalpels and a syringe as well as other medical equipment (for example glass bottles).

We both thought these were both very interesting as it was fascinating to look at what actually was in a Doctor’s bag, but especially the obstetrician’s bag as some of the equipment isn’t commonly used any more. We hope you have found this as interesting as we did.

Whilst continuing our audit of the social history store at Burymead we have come across two interesting items; they are a human jawbone and an incomplete set of teeth.

The first object, the jawbone was dug up in the grounds of Hitchin Priory in 1852 and is believed to be that of a young male.

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The second item is an incomplete set of human teeth with some detail of them being from the body of a Joan Biggs who was a suicide victim who was later exhumed in 1906 from what we believe to be the crossroads by the Radcliffe pub in Hitchin. The body was exhumed as the grave had become a landmark.

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We have attempted to research who Joan Biggs was, but so far have been unable to find a record of her so feel she may have been from another area or perhaps an asylum or almshouse.

If you have any further information regarding these two items please comment on the post and we will be in touch!