Summary

Black and white photo of Leo Sterne in a wheelchair with a another unknown man in a wheelchair and a woman in a uniform (possibly Red Cross). Both men are holding toys and there are several toys in the background.

This photograph relates to the lives of Leo and Hilda Sterne after their migration to Australia form Austria on 1939.

Description of Content

This photograph depicts Leo Sterne (on right) in a wheel chair holding a toy monkey and a pair of felt slippers. To his left there is a woman in uniform (possibly Red Cross) to her left there is another man in a wheelchair holding a stuffed toy elephant and a pair of felt slippers. In the background several other stuffed toys and a marionette puppet can be seen. A section of the Australian flag can be seen in the top right corner.

Physical Description

A black and white photograph with some damage around edges.

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.

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