Renowned designer Ko Verzuu (1901-1971) was a man of technical origins, which was evident in his intricate and masterfully crafted wooden toy designs for ADO between 1925-1962. Produced in the workshops at Berg and Bosch hospital, his toys were heavily influenced by the “de Stijl” movement promoted by Gerrit Rietveld during that time. The use of primary colors, clean lines, and simplicity were notable characteristics that could be seen in the ADO toys, such as the elegant wooden bank depicted above – a perfect representation of Verzuu’s eclectic style.
Designed with playability and practicality in mind, Verzuu tested his creations on his 11 children to ensure they were the finest wooden toys around. This level of dedication and attention to detail can also be seen in the limited edition BESTELDIENST bank featured in this blog. Only 250 copies were made, each with a certificate of authenticity, making it a prestigious and highly sought-after collectible. The project was a testament to ADO’s expertise and history in producing unparalleled wooden toys, which they showcased in a “prestige” project over 25 years ago.
This magnificent piece was meticulously handmade and painted, with each numbered and signed by the artist. A yellow edition consisting of only 50 copies was specially made for the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag, while the blue and yellow version shown here was made in an edition of 250 copies. Unfortunately, the production of all ADO school furniture and other products came to a halt 12 years ago, effectively putting an end to future ADO projects. Fortunately, FTN was able to acquire the remaining stock of these exquisite toys, including the banks, beetles (which will be discussed in a future blog), and the BESTELDIENST. These last copies, complete with an original ADO box, certificate, and in mint condition, can now only be found at www.ftn-books.com. Don’t miss the opportunity to add these highly collectible pieces to your collection at a reasonable price before they’re gone for good.
www.ftn-books.com has some highly collevctable Verzuu designs available.
