McLoughlin Brothers
65 years in operation (1855–1920)
About McLoughlin Brothers
McLoughlin Brothers was the dominant American game and toy publisher of the Victorian era. Their colorful lithographed board games, paper dolls, puzzles, and books were beautifully produced and sold to middle-class families. Milton Bradley acquired the company in 1920.
Founding
John and Edmund McLoughlin, who built on their father's New York printing business and became the leading American publisher of children's books, games and paper toys.
History of McLoughlin Brothers
McLoughlin Brothers was a printing house first, and that is the key to understanding it. The company was an early and expert user of chromolithography, and it applied that capability to everything a child might want printed: picture books, paper dolls, dissected maps and puzzles, and board games with lithographed boards and boxes of remarkable quality.
The games are now the collected material. District Messenger Boy of 1886 is one of the earliest American board games about commercial advancement, the flag and geography games reflect a period appetite for patriotic instruction, and the "dissected" puzzles — printed pictures and maps cut into pieces — were the American jigsaw before jigsaws.
The company's box and board artwork is the reason its games are valued today: the printing is genuinely beautiful, and much of it documents nineteenth-century American life, dress and attitude in colour. Milton Bradley acquired the game lines in 1920, and the paper-goods business ended.
Timeline
- 1855The McLoughlin brothers establish their New York publishing business
- 1870Chromolithographed children's books, paper dolls and games are the core output
- 1886District Messenger Boy is published
- 1900Dissected maps and puzzles are staple products
- 1920Milton Bradley acquires the game lines
Notable & Best-Selling Toys
- District Messenger Boy game (1886)
- New Dissected Map of the United States
- McLoughlin paper doll sets
- National Flag Game
- Dissected puzzles
Identifying & Dating McLoughlin Brothers Toys
- Look for "McLoughlin Bros." with "New York" printed on the box lid, board or puzzle backing, often with a copyright date.
- Copyright dates on the printed material are usually reliable and are the best dating tool available for this maker.
- Post-1920 issues of former McLoughlin games carry Milton Bradley imprints.
Collector's Notes
- Box lid condition is the dominant value factor, because the chromolithographed artwork is what the market is buying. Splits, damp staining and lid separation are heavily discounted.
- Completeness of playing pieces, spinners and instruction sheets is often impossible to verify — buy on the printing and treat completeness as a bonus.
- Paper is fragile and light-sensitive. These are archival objects as much as toys and should be stored flat, dry and dark.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was McLoughlin Brothers founded?
McLoughlin Brothers was founded in 1855, based in New York, NY.
Is McLoughlin Brothers still in business?
No. McLoughlin Brothers ceased operations in 1920, after 65 years in business.
What is McLoughlin Brothers best known for?
McLoughlin Brothers is best known for District Messenger Boy game (1886), New Dissected Map of the United States, McLoughlin paper doll sets, among other toys.
Where was McLoughlin Brothers located?
McLoughlin Brothers was based in New York, NY.
What kinds of toys did McLoughlin Brothers make?
McLoughlin Brothers is categorized under games, educational, paper toys.
Who founded McLoughlin Brothers?
John and Edmund McLoughlin, who built on their father's New York printing business and became the leading American publisher of children's books, games and paper toys.
How can you identify genuine McLoughlin Brothers toys?
Look for "McLoughlin Bros." with "New York" printed on the box lid, board or puzzle backing, often with a copyright date. Copyright dates on the printed material are usually reliable and are the best dating tool available for this maker. Post-1920 issues of former McLoughlin games carry Milton Bradley imprints.
Are McLoughlin Brothers toys valuable?
Box lid condition is the dominant value factor, because the chromolithographed artwork is what the market is buying. Splits, damp staining and lid separation are heavily discounted. Completeness of playing pieces, spinners and instruction sheets is often impossible to verify — buy on the printing and treat completeness as a bonus. Paper is fragile and light-sensitive. These are archival objects as much as toys and should be stored flat, dry and dark.