The photo ad at right, taken from the March, 1957 issue of Playthings magazine, shows the Doepke brothers (Fred "Fritz" at left and Charles) with their new line of Preschool Toys. The line was truly impressive in regards to quality, ingenuity, and extensiveness. Many of them would look right at home on the shelves of today’s toy stores. The complete 1957 catalog is shown elsewhere on this site. Sadly, approximately two years from the date of this photo, the Charles William Doepke Manufacturing Co. would close its doors for good.
Wood Toy Collection
My collection of Doepke wood toys is very limited. This line was never a focus of my hobby, but I wanted to have a few for reference. The two toys shown at the left in this photo were not in the initial 1957 catalog and were probably 1958 additions to the line. A collector wishing to acquire one example of each Doepke wood toy will have their job cut out for them. Certain items are not easy to find, and when found command significant prices (in the $300 range!). Avery nice line of Doepke toys!
One of the more common Doepke wood toys. Several paint variations are known.
Another relatively common toy. The larger card- board box was used to ship 6 fireplug toys.
This toy originally came with "soft-rubber cannon balls." Missing be ad on end of pull rope.
A toy similar (but not exactly the same) is in the 1957 catalog. Date of manufacture is uncertain.
This toy was added to the line in 1958. It used components from similar toys.
I only have the empty box for this toy, but it’s a good example of typical wood toy packaging.
