Retro Baby Rattle Appraisal

Mid-Century Vintage Plastic Baby Rattle and Whistle

This is a vintage mid-century baby rattle and whistle toy, measuring approximately 5 to 6 inches in length. It is constructed from a lightweight, molded hard plastic in a pale pastel pink or flesh tone. The design features a stylized round face at the top, painted with simple facial features including large blue eyes with long eyelashes and yellow-blonde hair. The head is set against a flat, circular halo or bonnet-like backing. The handle is slender with a twisted rope-like texture that transitions into a large ring at the bottom, designed for a child's grip. Critically, the base of the ring incorporates a built-in whistle flat-piece. The overall style is reminiscent of nursery toys from the late 1940s to the 1950s. Regarding condition, there is notable paint loss on the facial features, some surface grime, and minor scuffing consistent with age and play. The plastic appears to have a slight matte patina. While no maker's mark is visible in the image, this style was common for manufacturers like Bantam or various celluloid/early plastic toy companies of that era. The craftsmanship is typical of mass-produced mid-century juvenile novelties, focusing on smooth rounded edges and high-contrast facial expressions.