Summary

Black and white photograph showing the two stuffed toys Fredd Bear and Fee Fee Bear made by L.J. Sterne Doll Company.

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 toy bears are displayed standing side by side. The bear on the left is known as Fredd Bear and is dressed in stripped overalls, a matching hat and large bow tie. The smaller bear on the right is known as Fee Fee Bear and is dressed in a cotton dress with a frilled collar and pinafore. This outfit also has laced leggings, a large hair bow and laced shoes.

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.

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