Cococubs were a set of 32 hollowcast hand-painted lead

figures Figure may refer to: General *A shape, drawing, depiction, or geometric configuration *Figure (wood), wood appearance *Figure (music), distinguished from musical motif * Noise figure, in telecommunication * Dance figure, an elementary dance patte ...

anthropomorphic Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities. It is considered to be an innate tendency of human psychology. Personification is the related attribution of human form and characteristics to ...

creatures given away with Cadburys Bournville

Cocoa Cocoa may refer to: Chocolate * Chocolate * ''Theobroma cacao'', the cocoa tree * Cocoa bean, seed of ''Theobroma cacao'' * Chocolate liquor, or cocoa liquor, pure, liquid chocolate extracted from the cocoa bean, including both cocoa butter and ...

from 1934 to 1939. They were designed by the commercial artist and prolific illustrator of children's books, Ernest Aris The free gifts were available just as Britain was coming out of the

Great Depression The Great Depression was a severe global economic downturn from 1929 to 1939. The period was characterized by high rates of unemployment and poverty, drastic reductions in industrial production and international trade, and widespread bank and ...

where few families had spare income to indulge their children with toys. The scheme was a huge success, and within a few weeks of the campaign Cadburys ran out of the supplies of both the drinking chocolate and the Cococubs. It was only after a delay of two months that supplies were again on sale. It was hailed by the ''Grocery Merchants Journal'' as "One of the cleverest publicity schemes of the year. It is difficult to over-estimate the sales value of such a scheme."The Grocery & Provision Merchant, November 1934, p.276 Some 300,000 children subsequently joined the Cococub Club, which issued a 'Newspaper' to its members together with a badge and membership card.

References

Toy collecting Toy animals Toy figurines 1930s toys {{marketing-stub