The first chimpanzees' tea party at London Zoo took place in 1926 (according to Wikipedia) and the tea parties were a popular attraction for many years. However their popularity waned as the public began to prefer seeing animals behaving naturally and socialising with their own kind rather than humans. The last tea party was held in 1972, and this set was deleted from the Britains range at about the same time.
This set consists of a yellow table with four chairs (from the Floral Garden range), all on a blue rectangular base. The table has moulded-in food bowls and separate blue mugs. There are 4 chimpanzee figures in various postures, and a separate uniformed zookeeper. One of the chimps is designed to sit on the zookeeper's shoulder. The keeper is in a dark green uniform and has a movable head.
This set is in excellent complete condition. The keepers's base has warped with age, but there are no other significant faults. An attractive and sought-after set!
Scale: 1:32
Length: 83mm.
Approx Years: 1967 - 1971
Condition: Excellent, unboxed
Shipping Weight: 75g
The old toys in this shop are offered as collectors' items only, and may not conform to modern toy safety standards.
