Item MM 132367 Photograph - L. J. Sterne Doll Co., Two L.J. Sterne Dolls on Display, Melbourne, circa 1950

Summary

Black and white photograph of two L.J. Sterne dolls dressed in bridal gowns.

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 dolls are displayed standing in bridal gowns and veils with outstretched arms. The doll on the left has dark coloured hair and is dressed in a short-sleeved full bridal gown with a flowing mid-length veil. This doll has the number 2 positioned in front of it and is smaller in size compared to the doll on the right. The doll on the right has blonde coloured hair and is dressed in a short-sleeved full bridal gown with a long flowing veil. This doll has the number 1 positioned in front of it. A piece of material has been used as a backdrop and the words 'Sterne Doll, Melbourne, Made In Australia' can be seen printed in the top left-hand corner of the photograph.

Physical Description

Black and white 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 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 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; and key cultural and historical events.