THE BOY SCOUTS IN CAMP

New York: McLoughlin Bros, 1915. Near fine in very good box.. Complete set of 22 Boy Scout paper toys and a pop-up tent, executed in McLoughlin's signature vibrant chromolithography. THE BOY SCOUTS IN CAMP showcases classic McLoughlin style and illustrates the social mindset of pre-WWI America. Though the set lacks a date, we find a listing for it in a McLoughlin catalogue from 1915, under the category of "Soldier Games" alongside sets of "Skirmishers" and "War, with Rapid Fire Guns." This proximity is significant: as WWI raged in Europe and vocal contingents lobbied for America to join the fray, the Boy Scouts were framed as "little soldiers at home" ("Marketing the War on the Home Front") and modeled their uniforms and discipline on military standards. The blurry line between Scout and soldier is literal in THE BOY SCOUTS IN CAMP: though the pipers and drummers in this collection appear to be very young, their uniforms more closely resemble those of Doughboys than Scouts, indicating that McLoughlin may have repurposed the figure designs from a more explicitly military set. This set is not often found complete in such nice condition. 8.75'' x 16.5'' (box); 5.75'' x 1.75'' (boys). 22 chromolithograph dolls on stiff card with red wooden bases: 14 boys with rifles, two leader boys, two doughboy pipers, four doughboy drummers. One pop-up "tent" with American flag made of cloth. In original box with chromolithograph pictorial lid. Lid with light wear and mild toning, a few infills; tray with careful tape reinforcements to corners. A few figures with cracking near ankles, still sound. Bright.