Crescent Toys
British toy manufacturer from 1922 to 1980.
Crescent Toys operated as a British toy manufacturer from 1922 until 1980. The company produced lead hollow-cast figures and animals, die cast metal vehicles, toy guns, and both hollow-cast and later plastic figures, including toy soldiers from many historical eras.
Henry George Eagles and Arthur Schneider founded the business at 67 DeBeauvoir Crescent, Kingston Road, London. Henry was one of seven children of William Eagles, a lifebelt maker, and his wife Emily. During the 1930s, one of Henry’s brothers, Arthur, joined the firm under the alias Mr. Harvey to avoid accusations of nepotism, working as a foreman in the lead casting shop. Early in World War II, Arthur Schneider left for America because his surname carried German associations. Henry’s health declined, and Arthur (Harvey) took on more factory management duties, assisted by Doris Eagles, one of Henry’s four children. Henry—known to most as “Harry”—died in 1942. His brother, Mr. Harvey, then continued running the business, which had shifted to manufacturing munitions parts. After the war, Henry’s sons Harry, Ernie, and Frank, who had served in the armed forces, joined Crescent alongside their sister Doris, the company secretary; together they held the controlling interest.
Mr. Harvey received 1,000 shares in Crescent Toy for his caretaker role and bought a substantial house in Potter Street, Essex. Die Cast Machine Tools, a small firm in Green Lanes, Palmers Green, had supplied Crescent with die casting machines and took on subcontracting work from them. This supplier soon realized that selling finished products was more profitable than supplying parts, so they used their knowledge to become fierce competitors in every possible market.
Seeing development grants available for industry relocating to Wales, Crescent decided to open a factory there. Mr. Harvey spent over two years traveling to and working in Cwmcarn until the factory opened in 1949. His co-directors—his cousins—grew fond of Wales and chose to shut the Tottenham factory and move there. Having endured two years in an area where, he said, rain came at you horizontally, Mr. Harvey refused to relocate. Instead, he stayed in Tottenham and supplied Crescent with toys at a lower cost than they could produce in Wales.
Bitterness grew between the families. Mr.
- Founded
- 1922
- Closed
- 1980
- Founders
- Henry Eagles and Arthur Schneider
- Location
- 67, DeBeauvoir Crescent, Kingston Road, London
- Key people
- Henry Eagles (known as Harry), Arthur Schneider, Arthur Harvey (brother of Henry), Doris Eagles, Harry Eagles, Ernie Eagles, Frank Eagles
- Notable products
- Dan Dare sets of figures, Thunderbirds toys, dioramas of shops and a classroom from 1950s Britain
Lore & Background
Crescent Toys was founded by Henry Eagles and Arthur Schneider at 67, DeBeauvoir Crescent, Kingston Road, London. In the 1930s, Henry's brother Arthur joined the company under the name Mr. Harvey to avoid suspicion of nepotism and worked as a foreman in the lead casting shop. During the early part of the Second World War, Arthur Schneider went to America because of the connotation with Germany that his surname gave. Henry's health deteriorated, and Arthur (Harvey) carried more responsibility for running the factory, aided by Doris Eagles, one of Henry's four children. Henry died in 1942, and his brother Mr. Harvey continued to manage the business, which by then was manufacturing munitions parts. After the war, Henry's sons Harry, Ernie, and Frank joined Crescent along with their sister Doris, who was Company Secretary, and they held the controlling interest.
Mr. Harvey was given 1,000 shares in Crescent Toy for his caretaker role and purchased a house in Potter Street, Essex. Die Cast Machine Tools, a small company in Green Lanes, Palmers Green, had supplied Crescent with die casting machines and took on casting work subcontracted from them. They soon realized there was more to be made from selling finished products than just parts and became fierce competitors. Crescent opened a factory in Cwmcarn, Wales, in 1949, using development grants available for industry to move there. Mr. Harvey spent over two years traveling to and working in Cwmcarn until the factory opened. His co-directors decided to shut the Tottenham factory and move to Wales, but Mr. Harvey refused to move and continued in Tottenham, supplying Crescent with toys cheaper than they could make them in Wales. Discord between the families became bitter, and Mr. Harvey set up The Harvey Toy Company in Commerce Road, Wood Green, using the name given to him by his brother. He then sought an alliance with Die Casting Machine Tools, which was trading as Lone Star Products, Californian Screen Blocks, A.G.M. Industries, and several other names. Prior to the war, Crescent acquired moulds and stock from C.W. Baker, which traded as Reka. The company manufactured a series of dioramas depicting various shops and a classroom from 1950s Britain, as well as Dan Dare sets of figures and Thunderbirds toys.
Reader's Guide
Crescent Toys operated for nearly six decades, from 1922 to 1980, producing a wide range of toy types including lead hollow-cast figures, die cast metal vehicles, toy guns, and plastic figures. The company's history is marked by family dynamics, wartime adaptation, and eventual fragmentation. During the Second World War, the firm shifted to manufacturing munitions parts, and after the war, family discord led to the establishment of The Harvey Toy Company by Mr. Harvey, who allied with former competitor Die Cast Machine Tools (trading under multiple names including Lone Star Products). The toy soldier and toy gun markets were significantly affected in America as a consequence of the Vietnam War. Crescent's product line included notable licensed properties such as Dan Dare sets of figures and Thunderbirds toys, as well as dioramas of 1950s British shops and a classroom. The company's legacy is tied to the broader history of British toy manufacturing, hollow casting, and the evolution of the toy soldier market.
Did You Know?
- During the Second World War, the company manufactured munitions parts.
- Mr. Harvey (Arthur) set up The Harvey Toy Company after family discord.
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