Item MM 131946 Photograph - Sterne Family Portrait, Austria, circa 1900

Summary

Black and white photograph printed on a postcard. The photograph depicts Leo Sterne as a young boy, with his father and younger brother. The photograph is circular, with a floral design printed as a border.

This photograph relates to the lives of Leo and Hilda Sterne prior to their migration to Australia from Linz, Austria in 1939, joining other family members who had arrived in 1938. The Sternes (originally Sternschein), listed as 'stateless', were probably refugees accepted as part of the Australian Government's Jewish quota intake just prior to World War II. The Sterne's went on to found the successful L.J. Sterne Doll Company. Leo Sterne is recorded as having enlisted in the Citizen's Military Forces during World War II and in 1944 he was naturalised.

Description of Content

The photograph depicts Leo Sterne as a young boy, with his father and younger brother. The two children are standing in front of their father, wearing straw hats and sailor suits. The father stands behind, wearing a dark felt hat, light-coloured suit, dark necktie and belt. None of the depicted are looking directly at the camera.

Physical Description

Black and white photograph printed on a postcard.

Significance

This item is part of a growing collection of material relating to the migration and settlement experiences of Leo and Hilda Sterne who arrived in Melbourne in 1939. They immediately established a business that became one of the most successful doll and toy manufacturers in post-war Melbourne.
The L.J. Sterne Doll Company (1939-71) is significant as one of the few surviving collections related to an Australian toy and doll manufacturer, a once thriving industry in Australia. Only the A.L. Lindsay and Co. Archive at the Powerhouse Museum and the Jakas Toy collection at Melbourne Victoria are comparable.
This collection of photographs, business and promotional documents, dolls, and toys enables the exploration of many Australian post-war historical and social themes including: local television and manufacturing industries; design and production innovation; marketing and merchandising; childhood; gender and cultural representations; leisure and sport; key cultural and historical events.