This is Frilly Fran. I am not sure why she has a mustache or why her name is Fran. All I know is that Robert D. Tritt takes credit for it and it was made in Carlisle, PA. He was born in 1908 and lived in Cumberland, PA in the 1930 census. That's as far as I got with trying to figure out the story of how and why this thing came to be.
There are two identical cardboard sides to this toy and when you open it up there are three honeycomb garlands attached to both sides. The object of the toy is to maneuver the two cardboard "handles" to get as many honeycomb shape variations possible. 
For example, when you put the two right sides of the handles together, you get this (ignore Violet in the background, I tried to)...
Another variation...
Another...
Violet is carefully making contact... 
...and was allowed only one or two seconds of investigation because tissue paper and cats do not mix. I used to sew and every cat that has ever lived with me always tried to help when I needed to pin the tissue pattern to the fabric. Errrrgh. Violet's one of those cats that likes to pull out the pins too.
Just a couple taps and Frilly Fran went back into a drawer, safe from investigative paws and beaks.
2 comments:
Oh, Maria. Your Violet is beautiful! And you have the most interesting stuff at your place. I'm sitting here on a Saturday morning and it's a grey day, having my coffee and trying to plan my day. I think I'd better make a list. My one son comes from NYC on the 23rd, so it's a deadline to have everything done! I'm not sure when the other son will arrive.
Dear Maria,
This is a very cool toy! It has survived a long time too. I am glad Violet was only able to get a quick paw touch. Tissue and cats do not mix.
I am thinking of baking cookies today as my activity!
Stay warm,
Sherry
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