Theresa Caplan
Encyclopedia
Theresa Caplan was an American
twentieth-century scholar of early childhood development
and a collector of worldwide toy
s. Working with her husband Frank
, she wrote multiple acclaimed books and built a massive collection of toys that is now part of a significant museum.
Born on 6 June 1913, Caplan collaborated with her husband in authoring multiple books that studied the ways in which children played, whether alone or individually, and at different ages; for example, one of their books, The First Twelve Months of Life, concentrated on infants but included observations of children two years old and comparison to adult trade union
s.
During World War II
, while living in northern Manhattan
, New York City
, the Caplans founded a workshop on 95th Street
to manufacture and sell wooden toys for children. From its earliest years, Theresa was involved with her husband's company: when it was a single small store, she worked with customers while Frank completed their orders. War shortages increased their profits: wooden toys were rare during the war, so the high quality of toys that the couple manufactured was popularized by word of mouth, and their business grew significantly. In 1949, they named the business "Creative Playthings
", which operated until its sale in 1966. As it expanded, the couple travelled around the world to find models for their crafts; by the 1980s, they had accumulated more than fifty thousand individual toys as models, and they gradually began to see themselves as collectors. Because their work and their collection were both international, they were able by themselves to produce a display that was featured at the United Nations Headquarters
as part of the International Year of the Child
in 1979.
In 1984, while living in Princeton, New Jersey
, the Caplans chose to donate their collection to The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
; the collection was so massive that the museum needed nine months to unpack the thirty-two crates used to transport it. After the donation was complete, Frank died in 1988 at the age of seventy-seven. After Frank's death, Theresa remembered herself as having been more active in collecting than her husband for a time, but noted that their collection truly began to grow in 1966, as the sale of the business permitted Frank to pay less attention to financial matters. Described as enthusiastic and extroverted, Caplan was a detailed record-keeper. She was careful to assign every object in the collection a unique identifier
as well as recording the country of origin for every object, and she ensured that all boxes were separately identified. Written on twenty thousand index card
s, her records filled twenty-eight shoe boxes by the time that the collection was donated to Indianapolis.
Theresa died in Princeton on 13 April 2010 at the age of 96. She was survived by her son Richard, her daughter Judith Inglese
, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
twentieth-century scholar of early childhood development
Developmental psychology
Developmental psychology, also known as human development, is the scientific study of systematic psychological changes, emotional changes, and perception changes that occur in human beings over the course of their life span. Originally concerned with infants and children, the field has expanded to...
and a collector of worldwide toy
Toy
A toy is any object that can be used for play. Toys are associated commonly with children and pets. Playing with toys is often thought to be an enjoyable means of training the young for life in human society. Different materials are used to make toys enjoyable and cuddly to both young and old...
s. Working with her husband Frank
Frank Caplan
Frank Caplan was a youth worker, educator, folk toy collector, and pioneer in developing and manufacturing educational toys for children...
, she wrote multiple acclaimed books and built a massive collection of toys that is now part of a significant museum.
Born on 6 June 1913, Caplan collaborated with her husband in authoring multiple books that studied the ways in which children played, whether alone or individually, and at different ages; for example, one of their books, The First Twelve Months of Life, concentrated on infants but included observations of children two years old and comparison to adult trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
s.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, while living in northern Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, the Caplans founded a workshop on 95th Street
95th Street (Manhattan)
95th Street runs from Riverside Drive, overlooking the Hudson River, to the East River, through the New York City borough of Manhattan. It traverses the neighborhoods of Upper West Side, Upper East Side, Carnegie Hill, and Yorkville; the street is interrupted by Central Park.-Notable buildings:*...
to manufacture and sell wooden toys for children. From its earliest years, Theresa was involved with her husband's company: when it was a single small store, she worked with customers while Frank completed their orders. War shortages increased their profits: wooden toys were rare during the war, so the high quality of toys that the couple manufactured was popularized by word of mouth, and their business grew significantly. In 1949, they named the business "Creative Playthings
Creative Playthings
Creative Playthings was an educational toy store and catalogue that was established by Frank and Theresa Caplan in 1945. The goal of Creative Playthings was to provide simple and beautifully designed toys to promote a child’s creativity and imagination....
", which operated until its sale in 1966. As it expanded, the couple travelled around the world to find models for their crafts; by the 1980s, they had accumulated more than fifty thousand individual toys as models, and they gradually began to see themselves as collectors. Because their work and their collection were both international, they were able by themselves to produce a display that was featured at the United Nations Headquarters
United Nations headquarters
The headquarters of the United Nations is a complex in New York City. The complex has served as the official headquarters of the United Nations since its completion in 1952. It is located in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, on spacious grounds overlooking the East River...
as part of the International Year of the Child
International Year of the Child
* Maureen Millicent Bomford founded International Year of The Child and it was endorsed by the United Nations. Maureen was born in Canterbury Punchbowl in 1930 and had four brothers. Her father was a Mayor and she always learned to appreciate the value of leadership. As the wife of a prominent...
in 1979.
In 1984, while living in Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton is a community located in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. It is best known as the location of Princeton University, which has been sited in the community since 1756...
, the Caplans chose to donate their collection to The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the world's largest children's museum. It is located in the United Northwest Area neighborhood on Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The museum is accredited by the American Association of Museums. It is with five floors of exhibit halls...
; the collection was so massive that the museum needed nine months to unpack the thirty-two crates used to transport it. After the donation was complete, Frank died in 1988 at the age of seventy-seven. After Frank's death, Theresa remembered herself as having been more active in collecting than her husband for a time, but noted that their collection truly began to grow in 1966, as the sale of the business permitted Frank to pay less attention to financial matters. Described as enthusiastic and extroverted, Caplan was a detailed record-keeper. She was careful to assign every object in the collection a unique identifier
Unique identifier
With reference to a given set of objects, a unique identifier is any identifier which is guaranteed to be unique among all identifiers used for those objects and for a specific purpose...
as well as recording the country of origin for every object, and she ensured that all boxes were separately identified. Written on twenty thousand index card
Index card
An index card consists of heavy paper stock cut to a standard size, used for recording and storing small amounts of discrete data. It was invented by Carl Linnaeus, around 1760....
s, her records filled twenty-eight shoe boxes by the time that the collection was donated to Indianapolis.
Theresa died in Princeton on 13 April 2010 at the age of 96. She was survived by her son Richard, her daughter Judith Inglese
Judith Inglese
Judith Inglese is an American artist known for her large public ceramic murals and her illustrations in the children's books of Dedie King. She is the daughter of Frank Caplan and Theresa Caplan, the founders of Creative Playthings.-Life and education:...
, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.