Figure set:Religous Statuettes

Toys of religious subjects have been a part of childhood since Noah survived the flood. In the days before the mass production of inexpensive toys of the sort that kids enjoy today, religious-themed toys might have been the only playthings children of 19th-century American homes had. In the 1940s, colossal toy maker Louis Marx & Company offered Religious Statuettes of Jesus Christ and His Apostles. This figure set included 3-inch figures of Jesus and 14 of his followers. The accompanying booklet, which includes brief biographies of each apostle promises: "Direct from the pages of the New Testament, Jesus Christ and His Apostles come to life before your eyes. These Religious Statuettes are the product of extensive research and study to recapture the true likeness of The Master, Saints Peter and Paul, Matthew and John and all the others. . . . More than collector's items, these Religious Statuettes have a real place in every home. On sale at your local toy and department stores, . . ." This toy set suggests that parents of the mid-20th century hoped to imbue religious values in their children, too.