Galt Toys (1960s–70s)
In 1961, Ken Garland redesigned the identity for Galt Toys, set in Folio. Later, the company accepted his offer to design their toys and games. They remained a client until 1982.
When we were working for Galt Toys, although we used the same logo, we twisted it round and did umpteen versions of it and never let it stay the same. — Ken Garland, Eye
The style was maintained consistently for 20 years. The letterforms chosen for GALT TOYS were from a very recently issued typeface, Folio Medium Extended. … [We] were determined not to let the Galt Toys logo become a sacred cow, not to be mucked about with (as was decreed with so many logos in the 50s and 60s). It would, indeed, be mucked around with, but only by us. — Ken Garland, Galy Tots
Cover of first Galt Toys catalogue, 1961
publicity leaflet, 1967. Drawing by Wanda Garland.
publicity leaflet. Photography: Harriet Crowder.
Galt Post Office, Ken Garland & Associates, 1967.
Box for Montage toy.
Galt Connect, game and packaging designed by Ken Garland & Associates in 1969.
Galt Connect, game and packaging designed by Ken Garland & Associates in 1969.
Galt Connect, game and packaging designed by Ken Garland & Associates in 1969.
Ken Garland & Associates designed the original Fizzog matching game in 1969. This is a mid-1970s edition. The designer of this box is unclear, but it seems to have been released during Garland’s tenure.
The designer of this box is unclear, but it seems to have been released during Garland’s tenure.
One of two boxes for Linking Letters. The designer is unclear, but it seems to have been released during Garland’s tenure.
One of two boxes for Linking Letters. The designer is unclear, but it seems to have been released during Garland’s tenure.
Memory tile game with illustrations by Kenneth Townsend.
Catalog cover for Galt Toys, 1969–70, playing with the logotype (in Folio). The small type in the ‘O’ is Univers, which was often used as a secondary typeface during this period.
Detail of above cover, reprinted as a limited-edition poster by Trunk Records.
Catalog cover, 1974–75. Drawing by Daria Gan.
2 Comments on “Galt Toys (1960s–70s)”
See also Adrian Shaughnessy’s 2013 homage.
Much of the titling was set using Letraset’s version of Folio. If I remember correctly Ken rather liked the medium extended weight, which apparently wasn’t available in Linotype’s photosetting version.