Renwal Toy Corporation
20 years in operation (1945–1965)
About Renwal Toy Corporation
Renwal produced a range of educational plastic model kits including anatomical models (Visible Man, Visible Woman) that remain iconic. Their Visible Man model — a clear plastic figure with detailed removable organs — became a staple of biology classrooms. Renwal also produced plastic dollhouse furniture.
Founding
Irving Lawner, whose surname reversed gives the company its name.
History of Renwal Toy Corporation
Renwal was an early and skilful American plastics moulder, and it did two things well. The first was dollhouse furniture: moulded polystyrene suites in a hard, glossy, brightly coloured plastic, complete down to sewing machines, bathroom scales, television sets and pianos, which together document mid-century American domestic taste in miniature more thoroughly than any other source.
The second was the Visible series. The Visible Man of 1959 — a transparent human figure with removable, correctly shaped internal organs, supplied as a kit to be assembled and painted — was a genuinely useful anatomical model sold as a toy, and it was followed by the Visible Woman, the Visible Horse, the Visible V-8 engine and others. These are among the very few toys that have been used seriously in classrooms for decades.
Renwal was acquired by Revell, which continued the Visible kits; the tooling has been reissued repeatedly, and Visible Man kits have been in and out of production ever since.
Timeline
- 1945Renwal begins moulding plastic toys at Mineola, New York
- 1950Moulded plastic dollhouse furniture becomes a signature product
- 1959The Visible Man anatomical kit is introduced
- 1960The Visible Woman and further Visible subjects follow
- 1965Renwal is acquired by Revell, which continues the Visible line
Notable & Best-Selling Toys
- Renwal Visible Man (1959)
- Renwal Visible Woman
- Renwal Visible Horse
- Renwal plastic dollhouse furniture
- Renwal plastic vehicle sets
Identifying & Dating Renwal Toy Corporation Toys
- Look for "RENWAL" moulded on the underside of furniture and on kit parts, usually with a part number and "Made in U.S.A.".
- Dollhouse furniture is catalogued by number and colour by collectors, and the numbers are moulded in.
- Visible kits carry Renwal branding on original boxes; later issues carry Revell branding on the box with Renwal-marked plastic inside.
Collector's Notes
- Dollhouse furniture is collected by room set and colour, and completeness of a suite is what drives value. Small parts — chair legs, drawer fronts, appliance doors — snap off and are effectively unreplaceable.
- Visible kits are worth most sealed with all parts, the correct paint set and the instruction and organ-identification sheets, which are usually missing.
- Early polystyrene becomes brittle and the bright colours fade in sunlight. Establish original Renwal issue versus Revell reissue before paying vintage prices.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Renwal Toy Corporation founded?
Renwal Toy Corporation was founded in 1945, based in Mineola, NY.
Is Renwal Toy Corporation still in business?
No. Renwal Toy Corporation ceased operations in 1965, after 20 years in business.
What is Renwal Toy Corporation best known for?
Renwal Toy Corporation is best known for Renwal Visible Man (1959), Renwal Visible Woman, Renwal Visible Horse, among other toys.
Where was Renwal Toy Corporation located?
Renwal Toy Corporation was based in Mineola, NY.
What kinds of toys did Renwal Toy Corporation make?
Renwal Toy Corporation is categorized under plastic toys, model kits, educational.
Who founded Renwal Toy Corporation?
Irving Lawner, whose surname reversed gives the company its name.
How can you identify genuine Renwal Toy Corporation toys?
Look for "RENWAL" moulded on the underside of furniture and on kit parts, usually with a part number and "Made in U.S.A.". Dollhouse furniture is catalogued by number and colour by collectors, and the numbers are moulded in. Visible kits carry Renwal branding on original boxes; later issues carry Revell branding on the box with Renwal-marked plastic inside.
Are Renwal Toy Corporation toys valuable?
Dollhouse furniture is collected by room set and colour, and completeness of a suite is what drives value. Small parts — chair legs, drawer fronts, appliance doors — snap off and are effectively unreplaceable. Visible kits are worth most sealed with all parts, the correct paint set and the instruction and organ-identification sheets, which are usually missing. Early polystyrene becomes brittle and the bright colours fade in sunlight. Establish original Renwal issue versus Revell reissue before paying vintage prices.