This curious celluloid doll of Japanese origin represents a British police officer from the 1930s, identifiable by the blue uniform and rounded helmet characteristic of the “Bobbies”, the common name for officers of the Metropolitan Police of London, derived from the nickname of the founder of the institution, Sir Robert Peel (1788–1850), Home Secretary and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The white gloves and disproportionately large right hand refer to his function as a traffic signalling officer, which could be imitated by the child playing with the doll, as the articulated arms could be used to simulate the movements of directing or stopping traffic.
Celluloid is a compound made from nitrocellulose and camphor, considered the first thermoplastic material. Created in 1852 by the Englishman Alexander Parkes, it was used in the toy industry during the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century, as it was lightweight, easy to mould and colour, and inexpensive to produce. Its flammability led the United States to prohibit its use in toys in 1940. Today, celluloid is used only in table tennis balls.
This piece forms part of the Toys and Games Collection of the Museum of Angra do Heroísmo.
