Collections Item Detail

Cocomalt Games for Every Day Play. Arr. by John Martin. Farmyard Frolic. Game No. 1. R.B. Davis Co., Hoboken, N.J. N.d., ca. 1929-1930.

Archive

Scope and ContentCocomalt Games for Every Day Play. Arranged by John Martin. Farmyard Frolic. Game No. 1. Issued by the R.B. Davis Co., Hoboken, N.J. No date, ca. 1929-1930. Printed paper, 1-7/8" high x 9" wide folded to 2-1/4" wide. Full color. Cocomalt, a malted chocolate flavor powder, was made in Hoboken by the R.B. Davis Company whose primary product was Davis OK Baking Powder. It was introduced ca. 1927-1928 and thus this item is an early promotional premium or give-away. See related for others. The game was a simple outdoor game that gave children exercise. Included is a short poem, See Us Grow, which included Cocomalt and was apparently by Martin. In regards to dating the item: on the back panel where the company and location is stated, the text is similar to text seen in 1929 magazine advertisements. (Text on 2011.005.0180 is slightly different and contains the term "anti-rachitic.") See notes for further discussion. Also noteworthy is a depiction of making cold Cocomalt where a shaker with lid is seen. It has the general outlines of the well-known Cocomalt stamped aluminum shaker with the beehive top. It is not stated as a Cocomalt shaker and the text suggests the alternate use of a fruit jar, bottle or egg beater and bowl.

Entry/Object ID

2014.013.0013

Acquisition

Accession

2014.013

Source or Donor

Lukacs, Claire

Acquisition Method

Gift

Credit Line

Museum Collections. Gift of a friend of the Museum.

Archive Details

Date(s) of Creation

1929 - 1930

Archive Notes

Date(s) Created: 1929-1930 Date(s): 1929-1930

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

General Notes

Note

Notes: John Martin had a radio program, John Martin's Story Time, on the NBC Red network in 1933. This radio show has not been found as one of the programs usually listed as sponsored by Cocomalt (typically three major serials in the 1930s), but the Davis Company had been using radio sponsorship and commercials since the mid-1920s; most programs connected with them have not been identified. Since the item makes no mention of the Martin program, it is believed to be earlier than 1933. Also Martin had an association with Story Parade, a magazine for children that began publication in 1936. Again, it is not believed that this item is as late as that period. ----- Game No. 12 in this series is known as titled: Treasure Chest. Status: OK Status By: dw Status Date: 2014-06-23