In the very early 1950's, a new idea was being developed by Marx Toys... a 2-dimensional playset. It would include buildings, houses, scenery and accessories, each having small pegs underneath to be placed however one wanted on a decorated peg-board type base. A variety of prototypes were hand-made, including a firehouse, barn, hospital, movie theater, supermarket, school, gas station, church, skyscraper (just like the Empire State building), houses, trees, and more, even a miniature Louis Marx & Company toy factory! Carved from acetate plastic, then painted to appear similar to what the final product would appear as, each was inscribed with the date and weight for possible production. After the beautifully designed pieces above were created, a handful of even more detailed prototypes were made, and samples of those were made apparently in a very small number. Why the idea never took off is a mystery, as it definitely was a unique and exciting new concept in playsets. Truly, it would have been "A whole world in a box". These wonderfully sculpted models really need to be seen in person to be able to appreciate the fine detail and charm.
