Par Nina Hossein-Zadeh
Published on August 6, 23 at 1:18 pm See my news Follow Actu Toulouse In the Montauban Toy Museum, the collection of Barbies advocates diversity. (©Montauban Toy Museum)
It’s a treasure trove of childhood memories. Passing the door of the Toy Museum in Montauban in the Tarn-et-Garonne, visitors come across an incredible collection of children’s toys. Toy soldier, model train and cart promise a journey through time, as much as the largest collection of Barbies in Europe.
Showcases filled with donations
Opened in 2016 under the leadership of Gérard Misrai, Meccano gaming enthusiastthis establishment fills its windows with donations.
“The museum works with donations. In five years, we have received 500 and sometimes they are very, very important.”
Gérard MisraiFounder of the Toy Museum
In the lot, 130 Barbie dolls are on display, making it the largest collection in Europe… A chance allowed by a generous man.
Fabienne Marcinkowski, a sewing enthusiast
“We already had around forty Barbie dolls, the first of which dated 1959, estimated at nearly 15,000 euros… But she is ugly as anything. There were failures like his bulging eyes, ”laughs Gérard Misrai.
The collection grew following Fabienne Marcinkowski’s visit to the museum. “She saw the collection of Barbies and she said to us, ‘I’m going to give you my collection, my children aren’t too interested in it anymore.’ »
Her gift of 90 dolls is on display today. A fan of couture, she has moreover made some clothes for the dolls, now on display. A way to continue to bring your personal story to life with these toys.
The reasons for the success of Barbies
If the word is in everyone’s mouths, it is particularly linked to the release of the film Barbie dont Margot Robbie et Ryan Gosling are the main actors. A successful film that puts the toy back in the spotlight.
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“These dolls sell 58 million copies a year worldwide. It is a real success and for good reason. In its early days, it offered little girls the possibility of imagining themselves in a world that was not always accessible. Their model was a secret agent or veterinarian Barbie,” says Gérard Misrai.
Focus on diversity
If at the beginning they were blondes as the cliché wants, from 1968, black Barbie dolls made their appearance. This year, a great novelty, a Barbie with Down syndrome is offered on the shelves.
In the collection of the Toy Museum, diversity is represented. “We would very much like to have the wheelchair doll to complete the collection »slips the director.
Is there a Barbie that stands out in the establishment? ” None. Each child who passes by is asked for their favorite and it is never the same. It proves their success. »
A living museum looking for volunteers
If Barbie dolls represent an important collection in Europe, Gérard Misrai and the 30 volunteers who work alongside him can also highlight other amazing toys.
Classified as being of cultural interest, the establishment is above all alive. “We have a games room, a pinball machine, puppets and we organize Meccano, Lego and bead threading workshops. »
To ensure that everyone has a good time, “everyone is accompanied and guided”. But Gérard Misrai needs us to come and lend him a hand: “We need volunteers”. For toy enthusiasts, the door is open.
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