about us
The MINT Museum of Toys was founded in 2007 and till date remains the largest vintage toy museum in Asia with an ever-growing collection of 50,000 vintage toys and collectables including various types of:
- Action Figures
- Advertising Enamel Signs
- Confectionary Biscuit Tins
- First-edition comic books and novels
- Newspaper and Photograph Archives
- Collectible Cards and Board Games
- Clothings, Costumes and Accessories
- Movie Posters and Vinyl Records
- Bicycles and Pedal Cars
The above is a fraction of what the museum collects and the collection hails from 40 over countries ranging specifically between 1840s to 1980s. These are displayed across four thematic levels of the museum (Outerspace, Characters, Childhood Favourites and Collectables), including an enamel sign gallery at Level R (Rooftop Level).
The collection is made up of various key collections, including the only Mekon Mask from Dan Dare in existence, a century-old Steiff Teddy Bear and a ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ Doll owned by Alice Liddell, the girl whom was the inspiration for the character ‘Alice’ in the ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ novel and franchise.
In addition to toys, the museum houses a collection of vintage posters, confectionery tin boxes, large-item displays such as Mobo horses, pedal cars as well as original enamel advertising signs. Over the years, these have been incorporated into various exhibitions and programmes run by the museum, serving as windows into the past as well as inspirations for the present.
Today, the museum serves diverse and expanding audiences, including locals, tourists, families, collectors, artists and students. We continue to fascinate and inspire the imaginations of audiences, taking them on a ‘Journey of Rediscovery’ to rekindle that ‘Moment of Imagination and Nostalgia with Toys’ (MINT).
OUR HISTORY
The museum began as an idea in the mind of founding CEO,
Mr Chang Yang Fa.
Driven by his passion for design and the arts, Mr Chang, who is an avid toy collector, imagined a space that is devoted to presenting vintage toys and childhood memorabilia – a space where visitors can also rediscover the past and revisit wonderful childhood memories.
The museum began as an idea in the mind of founding CEO,
Mr Chang Yang Fa. As an avid toy collector driven by his passion for design and the arts, he imagined a space that is devoted to presenting vintage toys and childhood memorabilia – a space where visitors can also rediscover the past and revisit wonderful childhood memories.
When the MINT Museum of Toys was founded in 2007, it was the first purpose-built museum for toys in the world and to date, it remains the only one. The MINT Museum of Toys was envisioned to be a world-class toy museum, with the objective of reaching out to the child in each and every person. Today, it continues to promote that belief.
The building was also conceptualised to be a space that would provide visitors with a holistic experience. In 2007, the retail space, MINT Shop, and a dining space opened alongside the museum, promoting both the spirit of imagination and nostalgia.
Later in 2015, the dining space evolved to become Mr Punch Public House, a gastro bar at the basement and rooftop bar at the rooftop level. The Mr Punch brand name took inspiration from the museum’s rare and unique collection of Punch & Judy puppets and memorabilia.
Today, the rooftop level still carries essence of Mr Punch as the museum’s wacky host, introducing to visitors a collection of rare vintage enamel signs from the mid 1800s. The versatile space doubles up as a gallery and event space overlooking the city landscape.
OUR BUILDING
Designed by world-renowned firm, SCDA Architects, the building was built specifically to accommodate the collection.
The Facade was designed to exclude external lighting that could potentially damage the exhibits. It is also one of the iconic features of the building; made up of twenty-six glass panels shaped into a wave-like structure, the facade lends fluidity and movement to the building.
Awards
Runner Up in the category of Commercial Building
Cityscape Dubai Architectural Review Awards, 2006
Best New Global Design
Chicago Athenaeum International Architectural Awards, 2007
Winner in the category of the Tourism, Travel and Transport,
Cityscape Dubai Architectural Awards, 2008
OUR TEAM
Chang Yang Fa
CEO
Christopher Ho
General Manager
Ou Ting Ting
Finance & Office Manager
Anna Koh
Marketing comms. manager
Jeque
assistant Operations manager
