Edward Ives (toymaker)

Edward Ives
Born
Edward Riley Ives

(1839-09-13)September 13, 1839
Died1918(1918-00-00) (aged 78–79)
OccupationToymaker

Edward Riley Ives (September 13, 1839 – 1918) was an American toymaker from Connecticut. He married Jane Maria[1] "Jennie" Blakeslee in 1866, and with the help of his father-in-law and brother-in-law, he founded the Ives Manufacturing Company two years later in 1868 in Plymouth, Connecticut. It became one of the largest toy companies in the United States during the 19th century and the early decades of the 20th century. He held several patents on various toy mechanisms,[2] such as a cap exploder for toy cannons.[3]

Late in his career, Ives turned the company over to his son, Harry Ives. Another son, Edward Lee Ives, was an engineer and steel plant superintendent in Chicago.[4] Ives died in 1918, at age 79.[5] Toys made by Ives' company remained collectible for decades after his death.[6]

Edward Ives was a distant cousin of U.S. classical music composer Charles Edward Ives. Ives and his son were the subject of a biography titled Messrs. Ives of Bridgeport, written by Louis Hertz and published in 1950.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Mrs. Jane M. Ives". Bridgeport Telegram. 1926-11-17. p. 23. Retrieved 2026-08-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ↑ "New Patents". The American Stationer. 15 (4): 102. January 24, 1884.
  3. ↑ United States Patent Office (1897). Annual Report of the Commissioner of Patents to the Secretary of Commerce for the Fiscal Year Ended ... U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 422.
  4. ↑ Yale University Sheffield Scientific School Class of 1900 (1922). History of the Class of 1900, Sheffield Scientific School, Yale University: The Vicennial Record. Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor Company. pp. 124–125.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ↑ "Family at Funeral, Ives Home Takes Fire". Bridgeport Telegram. 1918-12-03. p. 2. Retrieved 2026-08-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ Reif, Rita (November 25, 1977). "Auctions". The New York Times. p. 86. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
  7. ↑ Rinn, Meg (August 2020). Guide to the Papers of Louis H. Hertz. Bridgeport History Center, Bridgeport Public Library.