Sutcliffe Toys was set up in the early 20th century in Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire by James Frederick Sutcliffe. The brand witnessed rapid growth after the First World War, filling a gap left by the decline of German tin toy manufacturers. Notably, the company was famed for its innovation in using machine pressing for the production of tinplate toys, which was a step away from hand fabrication technique. An interesting fact about the brand: In 1932, it expanded to add a model ship line, the addition that later gained significant popularity. Sutcliffe’s products were underpinned by British industrial prowess, evoking not just seafaring adventures, but also a sense of national identity.