Summary

Black and White photograph of Leo Sterne posing with a Beatle Gerry Gee Doll resting upright on a stand.

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

Image of Leo Sterne standing with both hands resting on a table, next to a Beatles themed Gerry Gee Doll . Mr Sterne is dressed in a shirt and tie with rolled up sleeves, and spectacles on his face. The Gerry Gee doll standing upright on the table next to him with the help of a stand. The right arm of the doll is extended as though waving and the doll is dressed in theme appropriate wig and suit. A name tag identifies the doll as 'Beatle Gerry Gee'.

Physical Description

Black and white photograph on paper.

Significance

This item is part of a growing collection of material relating to the migration and settlement experience 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 manufactures 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 & 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, and toys enables the exploration of many Australian post-war historical and social themes including: local television and manufacturing industries; design and production innovations; marketing and merchandising; childhood; gender and cultural representation; leisure and sport; and key cultural and historical events.

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