Kiri the clown - Lot 226

Rediscovering these pieces today takes us back to an era when creativity and quality of design were paramount. It's remarkable that these objects, often handmade from wood, cardboard or plastic, have come down to us in such a state of preservation. More than just entertainment items, these toys from the 60s and 70s bear witness to an aesthetic and lifestyle that had a lasting impact on popular culture and consumer trends in the decades that followed.

From screen to toy chest: RTF and ORTF icons at auction

The France of the "Trente Glorieuses" not only equipped itself with refrigerators, it also saw the birth of mass television. In 1962, the creation of the RTF's youth service changed all that with the arrival of Bonne nuit les petits. For the first time, television imposed a daily fixed-time slot, creating an unprecedented bond between children and their rag-tag heroes.

This immediate media success gave rise to a flourishing industry. Le Manège Enchanté, Kiri the clown, Chapi Chapo and Casimir were no longer content with animating the screens: they became derivative products. As early as Christmas 1963, French manufacturers such as Clodrey, Pintel, César, Gégé and Fernand Nathan, spurred on by a pioneering licensing department, took up these iconic faces. The use of plastic and the rise of department stores made toys accessible to the widest possible audience.

In an age without replay or VOD, owning a figurine of your favorite character was the only way to prolong the magic of the show. This need for proximity transformed simple objects of wood, cardboard or plastic into veritable pillars of popular culture.

This auction retraces the golden age of French television production (1962-1975). It features rare items reflecting an era when creativity and sturdiness were the norm. These toys, many of which have survived six decades of history, are more than mere relics: they embody the shift to modern consumer society and the awakening of the imagination of an entire generation.

Live auction exclusively on the Internet:

NOS AMIS LES JOUETS, THE ORTF YEARS

sunday may 31, 2026 at 2:30 pm

aiboartauction.com/vente/177673-nos-amis-les-jouets-les-annees-ortf-vente-exclusively-en

SALE INFORMATION

Expert : Benoit Ramognino - 06 03 78 15 91