Spinning top, Hop Hop

This tin spinning top was given to Eileen Sampson when she was a young girl in the 1940s.

It is an excellent example of a ‘Hop Hop’ spinning top made by Lehmann, a German toy manufacturer. This toy was in production between 1913 and 1945.

The toy is activated by twisting the 'bolder head' which winds up the spring inside. Upon pushing the release button, the toy takes off spinning.

Eileen thinks she received this toy in the 1940s which is interesting because it was during World War Two at which time no German made toys were imported to New Zealand.

Eileen had only a few toys but they were very precious to her. She kept them safe all her life and then in 2014 donated them to Te Papa.