Abbatt Toys

Marjorie Abbatt, née Norah Marjorie Cobb, née Marjorie Josephine Cobb (18 March 1899 – 10 November 1991) was an English toy maker and businesswoman.

After studies at Somerville College, Oxford, she married (Cyril) Paul Abbatt in December 1930. In 1932, the two set up a business of toy manufacture — Abbatt Toys. Their philosophy was that toys should be functional in design as well as educational in play. In 1932, they opened their own shop in London, designed by their friend, the architect Ernő Goldfinger, at 94 Wimpole Street. The shop was unique in the sense that children were encouraged to touch and play with the toys on display.

Their toys won great acclaim, and in 1969 the Abbatt climbing frame, designed in the early 1930s, won The Observer newspaper design award. Marjorie Abbatt was also made president of the International Council for Children's Play. After Paul Abbatt died in 1971, she sold the business. In 1981, she was made an honorary M.A. by the University of Nottingham.

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