Bidspirit auction | Boy Riding Alligator Bell Toy

Boy Riding Alligator Bell Toy - Made by the N. N. Hill Company. East Hampton, Ct. - Circa 1895. From the Wieder Family Collection. In the context of 19th century toy and bank design, black youths are often oddly shown as having alligators and crocodiles for playmates. In truth, there's no explanation for this bizarre state of affairs. Perhaps the toy designers are suggesting that black children are foolhardy individuals that live life on the edge of reality. Certainly, some negative racial inference is afoot. Condition: Near Mint Condition.