Summary

Wool plush white teddy bear with a satin ribbon tied around its neck. Part of an archive of unsold stock samples donated by the manufacturer.

Jakas Soft Toys was a Melbourne-based company which designed and manufactured genuine high quality soft toys from 1956. Their range included teddy bears, golliwogs, animals and birds. They ceased production in the late 1990s outlasting many local toy manufacturers competing with cheaper overseas imports.

With children's health and safety in mind, the toys were made from wool and synthetic plush, quality fabrics, non-allergic filling and 'safety eyes'. The Jakas range of soft toys came with care and washing instructions and could be handed down for generations.

Physical Description

A white wool plush teddy bear with two-toned black/brown coloured plastic eyes, embroidered beige nose and beige stitching for a mouth. It has been made in a flat outstretched position with a soft rounded area in the front of the body. A satin apricot coloured ribbon is tied into a bow around its neck. There is a 'Jakas Soft Toys' card label attached to the body of the bear with a plastic joiner with text about the company and washing instructions. A small triangular label with the 'Australian Made' logo is secured to its right upper limb. There is no 'Jakas' label stitched onto this bear.

More Information

  • Collection Names

    Jakas Toys Collection

  • Collecting Areas

    Leisure, Home & Community, Childhood

  • Acquisition Information

    Donation from Ms Pam Schwarz, 19 Jun 2000

  • Manufacturer

    Jakas Soft Toys, Unit 1, 85 Lewis Road, Wantirna South, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1987-1994

  • Inscriptions

    Printed in green and yellow on the front of the white card tag: 'JAKAS / SOFT TOYS' / . the name / synonymous with / Australian toys. Printed in green on the left-hand inside opening of the white card tag: 'Jakas Soft Toys / is a wholly / Australian / owned / company.' with the 'Australian Made' logo printed in green and yellow with: 'AUSTRALIAN MADE' Printed in green on the right-hand inside opening of the white card tag: 'Jakas have been making / beautiful, long lasting / soft toys in Australia for / over thirty years. We / use high quality fabrics / and pure dacron filling. / JAKAS / SOFT TOYS' Printed in green and yellow on the back of the white card tag: 'Instructions: Machine washable. / It is best to use the delicate or woollen / cycle. If your toy should meet with an / accident call: JAKAS / SOFT TOYS / Unit 1, 85 Lewis Road / (Crn. Lewis & Wadhurst Drive) / Wantirna South, Victoria 3152, Australia / Tel: (03) 887 3547 Fax: (03) 887 3553' Printed in green on triangular card label showing 'Australian Made' logo: 'AUSTRALIAN MADE'

  • Brand Names

    Jakas (Soft Toys)

  • Classification

    Games & toys, Animal toys, Soft

  • Category

    History & Technology

  • Discipline

    History

  • Type of item

    Object

  • Overall Dimensions

    310 mm (Width), 150 mm (Depth), 390 mm (Height)

  • Keywords

    Toys, Small Businesses, Australian Design, Australian Manufacturing Industry, Teddy Bears