Summary

Black and white photograph of Leo Sterne and his wife Hilda in an Office.

This photograph relates to products and promotions of the L.J. Sterne Doll Company (1939-1971), a Melbourne doll and toy manufacturer founded by Austrian migrants Leo and Hilda Sterne.

Description of Content

The photograph depicts Mr Leo and Mrs Hilda Sterne in an office. They are holding a sign which says 'GERRY-GEE-JUNIOR/ -IS-/ EASY-TO-WORK/ EASY-TO-LEARN/ MADE-IN-AUSTRALIA/ -BY-/ LJ. Sterne.'. The office has several posters related to the Gerry Gee dolls on the walls. There are also several Gerry Gee doll boxes and one Gerry Gee barracker in the background.

Physical Description

A black and white Polaroid photograph

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 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 Toys collection at museum Victoria.

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; and key cultural and historical events.

More Information