Ethan Clarke
Marx tin farms refer to vintage toy farm playsets made by the brand Marx, which are now available on e-commerce platforms such as eBay and Etsy. These playsets were made of tin and plastic, with plastic animals and farm implements. The earliest Marx playsets were released in the 1950s and included cat and dog figures, followed by farm playsets with tractors, wagons, and other farm equipment. The brand also released a variety of plastic farm implements, with the first version made of hard plastic from 1951 to 1957 and the second version made of soft plastic from 1958 to the mid-1960s.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Material | Tin and plastic |
| Toy manufacturer | Marx |
| Toy type | Farm playsets |
| Accessories | Farm implements, barn accessories, dog and cat figures, etc. |
| Availability | Sold on platforms like Etsy and eBay |
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What You'll Learn
Marx made plastic and tin farm toys
Marx also made small hard plastic ears of corn for their large platform barns around 1960. The company made three different sets of plastic farm implements, plus one set made out of tin. The SEARS catalogue would usually feature as many as three different farm playsets, each with a different grouping of implements.
Marx toys are still available for sale on platforms such as Etsy and eBay.
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Marx's humanistic philosophy and animals
Marx Toys, a brand of toy maker Louis Marx and Company, produced a variety of toys, including farms, wild animals, and circus animals. The company made three different sets of plastic farm implements and one set made out of tin. One of the earliest molds created by Marx Toys, PL-80, included cat and dog figures for dollhouses.
Marx's humanistic philosophy and respect for animals are reflected in his writings. In "On the Jewish Question", Marx approvingly cites Thomas Münzer's call for the liberation of animals, stating that under the dominion of private property and money, nature is treated with contempt and debased. Marx's interest in scientific work on soil exhaustion and his critique of factory farming practices that disregard the natural needs of animals further demonstrate his concern for the well-being of animals.
Some commentators, such as Ted Benton and Jon Elster, have claimed that Marx lacked respect for animals, considering them inferior. However, Lawrence Wilde refutes this notion, arguing that Marx's humanistic philosophy inherently includes a respectful attitude towards animals and non-human nature. Marx's brand of communism equates humanism and naturalism, recognizing the interconnectedness between humans and nature.
Marx's theory of estranged labor, as detailed in his "Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts of 1844," has been applied to animals on factory farms by several theorists. They argue that animals in these settings are alienated from their natural lives and undergo physical modifications to enhance productivity, similar to how workers become alienated from their labor and themselves. Marx's concept of alienation highlights the damaging effects of humans' alienation from nature, as they are holistically interconnected.
While there is limited evidence to suggest that Marx actively championed animal liberation, his writings and philosophical stance indicate a sympathetic view towards animals and a recognition of their moral consideration. Marx's humanistic philosophy encompasses a broader respect for nature and a critique of the detrimental impact of private property and capitalist pursuits on the treatment of animals.
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Marx's theory of estranged labour and factory farms
Marx's theory of estranged labour, as outlined in his Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts of 1844, describes the alienation of workers from the products of their labour, their labour activity, themselves, and others. This alienation arises from the division of labour in a capitalist society, where workers are reduced to mere cogs in the machine, performing repetitive tasks devoid of psychological satisfaction.
Several theorists have applied Marx's concept of estranged labour to animals on factory farms, arguing that these animals are subject to a similar form of alienation. On factory farms, animals are treated as mere machines, severed from their natural state and exploited for human gain. This treatment inhibits the realisation of their inherent species-character and turns their capacities against themselves, mirroring the alienation experienced by workers in a capitalist system.
In "Extending Social Theory to Farm Animals: Addressing Alienation in the Diary Sector," Diana Stuart, Rebecca L. Schewe, and Ryan Gunderson explore Marx's theory in the context of dairy cows. They argue that dairy cows are alienated from the product of their labour, as they invest their entire existence into producing milk that is taken away from them and their young. Additionally, the cows are alienated from their labour activity, as their sole purpose is reduced to milk production and breeding.
The application of Marx's theory to factory farms highlights the inhumane conditions and the disconnect between humans, animals, and nature that such practices create. This interpretation of Marx's theory underscores the importance of recognising the intrinsic value of animals and their place in the natural world, rather than treating them as mere commodities.
While Marx's original writings did not specifically address factory farms, the extension of his theory to this context serves as a critique of the capitalist exploitation of both human and non-human life, emphasising the need for a more harmonious relationship between humans, animals, and the environment.
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Marx's appreciation of Münzer's view
Marx produced a variety of toy farms, including plastic and tin playsets. These playsets included a range of farm implements and animals, such as cows, dogs, and cats.
Now, onto Marx's appreciation of Münzer's view. In his work, Marx cites Thomas Münzer, the leader of the German Peasants' Revolt in the 16th century. Marx is particularly drawn to Münzer's perspective on the negative impact of private property and money on the natural world.
Münzer argued that "all creatures have been turned into property, the fishes in the water, the birds in the air, the plants on the earth; the creatures, too, must become free." This idea resonated with Marx, who recognised the interconnectedness of humans and nature and the detrimental effects of humans' alienation from the natural world.
Marx's endorsement of Münzer's sentiments is significant because it suggests that Marx held a respectful attitude towards animals and non-human nature. This perspective is integral to his humanistic philosophy, which defines the human essence by comparing humans with other animals.
Some commentators, such as Ted Benton and Jon Elster, have criticised Marx, claiming that he lacked respect for animals and considered them inferior. However, these interpretations have been refuted, arguing that Marx's discussion of the difference between humans and animals is devoid of any prejudice or notion of inferiority.
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Marx's thoughts on animal liberation
Marx Toys, a brand of toy maker Louis Marx and Company, produced a variety of plastic and tin playsets, including farms, wild animals, and circus animals. These toys were sold in the 1950s and 1960s and are now considered collectibles.
Now, onto Marx's thoughts on animal liberation:
While there is limited direct evidence of Karl Marx's views on animal liberation, some scholars, such as Lawrence Wilde and Ted Benton, have interpreted his writings as suggesting a respectful attitude towards animals and nature. In his article "The Creatures, Too, Must Become Free: Marx and the Animal/Human Distinction," Wilde cites Marx's appreciation of Thomas Münzer's view that under the dominion of private property and money, nature, including animals, is treated with contempt and must be freed. This quote indicates a recognition of the exploitation of nature and animals within a capitalist system.
Marx's concept of humanity being "part of nature" further highlights his understanding of the interconnectedness between humans and the natural world, including other species. In his work, Marx emphasizes the importance of achieving freedom within the realm of natural necessity, where humans govern their interchange with nature in a rational and humane way. This suggests a more compassionate and empathetic approach to our relationship with the natural world.
Benton, a prominent scholar in human-animal studies and critical animal studies, has interpreted Marx's work as acknowledging the independent history of nature, including animals, as a process of self-generation. This recognition of animals' developmental potentials challenges speciesism and the idea of human superiority. Benton's work, "Humanism = Speciesism: Marx on Humans and Animals," has been influential in promoting an animalist reading of Marx's writings.
However, it is important to note that some commentators, such as Benton and Jon Elster, have criticized Marx for allegedly lacking respect for animals and considering them inferior. They attribute a form of ""species imperialism" to Marx, which contradicts the ideals of his communist vision. Nevertheless, Wilde refutes this claim, arguing that Marx's discussion of human-animal differences is free of prejudice and does not treat animals as inferior.
While classic Marxism may not have initially focused on animal liberation, contemporary Marxist philosophers like Marco Maurizi have contributed to the development of "metaphysical anti-speciesism." This politico-theoretical current within the animal rights movement combines elements of moral philosophy, legal criticism, and post-structuralist anti-authoritarianism. Despite differing approaches, both Marxists and animal liberationists share a common enemy in the bourgeoisie, and their respective critiques of society remain incomplete without considering the exploitation of both the working class and animals.
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Frequently asked questions
Marx farms were playsets that included small plastic animals like dogs, cats, and circus animals.
The animals were made from rubber-like vinyl and hard plastic.
Yes, Marx made a walking dachshund with and without a collar, and a cocker spaniel puppy.
Marx farms included small plastic ears of corn, as well as farm implements like a scale, hedge trimmer, shovel, and pitchfork.
