Item HT 18993 Construction Set Pieces - Ezy-Bilt, circa 1950-1960

Summary

Parts of an Ezy-Bilt construction set, housed in a tin (original purpose of tin unknown). Used and owned by Bill Boyd in the 1950s. The box originally included a manual, which is probably registered separately as HT 21520 (from the same source).

The William Boyd Childhood Collection includes most of the childhood possessions of William (Bill) Boyd, who was born in 1947 and raised in the Victorian town of Maryborough. Kept by Lillian Boyd (Bill's mother) for decades, upon her death the collection was donated by Bill to the former Museum of Childhood at Edith Cowan University in Western Australia. When the Museum of Childhood closed it was transferred to Museum Victoria.

Some parts are stamped "BUZ" and might be from a similar construction system, Buz Builder. This was made by Buzza in Australia post World War II until 1974

Physical Description

Ezy-bilt construction pieces in tin, including metal strips, plates, rods, nuts & bolts, rubber wheels & some 'BUZ' pieces in tin box with instruction manuals (since removed). Silver metal parts housed in small black and white check cloth. Tin is rectangular and has hinged lid, and remnants of label on top.

Significance

Encompassing toys, books, clothing and other items, the William Boyd Childhood Collection is rare in its comprehensiveness: even ephemera such as the back of a Cornflakes box are included. The Collection demonstrates a range of prominent themes in the lives of postwar Victorian children, such as the ability to 'make do' under austere circumstances; the shift in toy manufacture towards plastic materials and mass production; the continuing cultural influence of Britain; the increasing embrace of American popular culture; the prominence of gender roles; and the popularity of transport and war themed toys for boys.