Summary
Black and white photograph of two Stern dolls in wedding attire. 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
Two Stern dolls in wedding attire. The doll on the left is dressed as a bridesmaid and the doll on the right is dressed as a bride. Under each doll is handwritten 'Patricia' and Yvonne' (respectively) in white. Above the dolls, located between them and within the photograph, is the L. J. Sterne doll company logo. Hand written in black capitals above the bride doll 'Yvonne' is 'STERN DOLLS 1950'.
Physical Description
Black and white gelatin silver print
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 and 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 (Established 1939 to 1971) 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 are comparable.
This collection of photographs, business and promotional documents, dolls, toys enables the exploration of many 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
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
Childhood, Clothing & Textiles, Migration & Cultural Diversity
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Acquisition Information
Purchase
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Place & Date Depicted
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Manufacturer of Item Depicted
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Format
Photograph, Black & White
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Inscriptions
Stamped on back, black ink: 'STERNE / DOLL / MELBOURNE / MADE IN AUSTRALIA' Printed on front, black ink: 'STERN / DOLLS / 1950' Printed on front, in white ink: 'PATRICIA / YVONNE'
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Image Dimensions - Photograph
102 mm (Length), 85 mm (Width)
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Keywords