Treasure 3…my vintage Magic Roundabout Playground set
Posted under Material things I love, Ten Treasures
Zebedee
Voici Zebedee (“Time for bed? Boiiiiiiiiiing!”). He’s a bit battered and bashed because he’s been in my posession since the early 70s and, frankly, he’s been around the block a few times. But, then, haven’t we all?
Is the Magic Roundabout an international thing? I can’t think its utterly English eccentricity would translate well In Foreign? But then who can account for the lasting popularity of Benny Hill and Faulty Towers? If you don’t know it…The Magic Roundabout was a children’sTV sho w in the early 70s. Beyond that, I am confuddled to describe it other than a load of talking animals on acid in a psychedelic garden. See, told you it was eccentric.
I would struggle to save this in a fire as it’s hidden under the bed, and I’m fairly sure I can’t get it out without dismantling the bed. Plus I’d have to fight the cat to get it as she sleeps on the box. Pity, as these sets are quite rare and can sell for up to £1,000. I wonder if I’d get more if I included the cat? Anyway, I don’t have a picture of the whole thing due to bed/cat issues, but you can see one here.
Zebedee has somehow escaped from the playground though. He appeared one morning a few years ago, mysteriously, and has since been mauled by small boys. Poor chap, first the cat, then the boys.
My grandparents bought this set for me, and then were quite keen for me to pass it on to my cousin when I’d grown out of it. I totally adored it and flat refused to pass it on every time I was asked to do so. I’m so glad I clung on to it, as this is one of very few toys I have from my childhood. All my other toys were lent to my cousin who, in a very entrepreneurial moment, took them to a car boot sale and sold them all when she was 12 to buy a clarinet. Sob! I want my Family Treehouse back!!
Ohh, Micky and Minnie have nothing on Zeebeedee! And that playground….too fun! I’m glad you held on. Your boys will have so much fun when you decide to share. If you decide to share.
I saved a couple of dolls for my girl (She didn’t take nearly as good care of them as I did.) She has quite the collection of her own too. Even though her 19 year old self says she’s never having children, I note that she’s not giving away any of her baby/girlhood toys either…hmmmm.
I’ve never heard of Zeb before…must be a Brit thing?
To be precise it’s not even English but French – Le Manège enchanté is it’s original title and Zebedee was known as Zébulon. The 2 shows are very different though, the english version took the french visuals and paired them with entirely new scripts, not just translations from the French – I’ve no idea how far the storylines differ though!
I’ve heard it was also broadcast in Italy and Germany but no idea if they were completely new versions or just dubbings of the French or Eglish ones.
AHA yes Sam is totally right, I had completely forgotten re the French origin! Marvellous, thank you.
I remember the pop-up treehouse! I was always sad when the classic little people were discontinued as a choking hazard and they starting making the “big” little people. It just wasn’t the same! As adults my sisters and I have bought again some of the toys, especially little people, that we played with when we were little so that our kids can have those memories, too.
lovely toy, I just checked their site. it never came to my eyes. apparently it was neither sold in Brazil where I grew up nor in Germany where my eldest grew up. and I didn’t come across it here in rural Ireland where my little one is growing up. so it must be very special.
Oh god I so loved my Treehouse! They don’t make toys like that now – I was only saying about it the other day, and how it was made of proper sturdy plastic, not like the girls toys. They seem so flimsy now.
Nope, we didn’t have Magic Roundabout in the U.S., but we did have Romper Room. Ah ha. I can still see that mirror spinning round and round.
Ah, I loved the Magic Roundabout; the creation of someone’s drug-addled brain. Lovely. Makes me proud to be a child of the ’70s.