Posted by jo | 90 Comments
Joy Toys : History of Australian Teddy Bears
The oldest and most prolific of the Australian soft toy manufacturers, Joy Toys is known for its quality. Highly sought – after by collectors, Joy Toys teddy bears command high prices on the Australian market.
Early Days – 1920s
The teddy bear industry began in Australia in South Yarra, Melbourne. Joy Toys commenced business in the early 1920s, as teddies became popular, and as WW1 meant a ban on teddies being imported from Germany, and disrupted shipments from Britain. Established by George Kirby and his wife, the company flourished.
The earliest bears produces were fully jointed, from fine quality English mohair, stuffed with wood wool, and had twill pads with four foot claws. Eyes were glass, of the best quality. As German bears had been the predominant imports, these early Joy Toys bears resembled German bears.
1930s-40s
The company continued its success, with the bears becoming distinctly Australian in appearance, but with British characteristics. Necks became immobile, and arm pads were tapered and made of cotton, including twill. The distinctive Joy Toys nose appeared, in which an outer stitch on each side was extended up, and with a “Y” shaped mouth. Kapok ( soft, silky fibre from the seed pod of a tropical tree) was used as the stuffing. Often the eyes are missing from these early bears, which appears to have been a fault in the production.
In 1935 Joy Toys acquired the licencing rights to produce Walt Disney character toys and this helped the company to grow. Mickey Mouse was a popular toy, with pie-crust eyes, and similar to the original rat-like “Steamboat Willy”.
In 1946 the British firm of Tri-ang took over the Joy Toys Ltd firm in Whangerie, N.Z. Tri-ang was originally founded by the Lines Brothers in 1850, and which also owned Pedigree.
Dolls were produced, often of felt with buckram (cloth mask) painted faces. Good examples still exist though they are a favourite with moths and so some damage is usually present!
1950s-60s
Joy Toys teddies of this period often display a distinctive smile! Happy bears are appealing and sell well! In the 1950s they had jointed (though stumpier) arms and legs, made from mohair/synthetic plush, velveteen or, later in the 60s, synthetic plush. Paw pads were often from a similar fabric, sometimes reversed. Crumbed rubber was also used for stuffing during this period, which deteriorated over time and so many of these bears have an unfortunate lumpiness!
During the 1960s, with the introduction of machine washable synthetic materials, the company developed a distictive unjointed teddy, with outstretched arms and straight legs. Pads were of a similar fabric. The same sweet smiling face, glass eyes and embroidered nose and mouth, could be seen in a range of animals that were also produced, such as pandas and dogs. Stuffing was plastic foam moulded into the shape of the body.
Golliwogs were made at this time, with smiling vinyl faces, short fuzzy black hair, cloth bodies and jacket “tails”. These toys are highly sought-after.
Another distinctive toy of the 60s and early 70s was the long-legged range. These included golly wogs and poodles. Each “stood” three feet tall with long dangly arms and legs. Stuffed with foam, gollies had flat cotton faces, whereas poodles had shaped faces, curly “hair’ and a tail.
In 1966 Lines Bros (Tri-ang) took over the company, though it continued to operate under the Joy Toys name.
1960s-70s
Teddies produced in the early 1970s were of the unjointed shape. Produced from synthetic materials, they still generally had the beautiful glass eyes that Joy Toys was renowned for.
A vast range of soft toy animals also continued to be manufactured at this time, including giraffes in various sizes, dogs and cats. Giraffes, as they had been since the 1950s, were made from artificial silk plushes, giving them a lovely satiny sheen.
In the late 1960s, and into the early 1970s, tariffs were removed by the Australian goverment on imported toys. Consequently, the market was flooded with cheap imports from Asia. This made it impossible for Joy Toys to compete successfully. After attempting to stay in business with a range of cheaper quality toys, it closed in 1976.
Labels
The labels attached to the toys varied according to when they were made, though the time periods given are approximations.
1920s-40s-green embroidered “Joy Toys/Made In Australia” on white cotton label.
1950s-early 60s-green printed “Joy Toys/Made in Australia” on white cotton label.
1960s-70s-red or purple printed “Joy Toys/(Made In)Australia” on white label. Ocasionally labels simply said “Made In Australia”.
Swing tags accompanied each toy, though these are now hard to find intact.
Values
Value depends on many factors, including the generally accepted market determinants: rarity; age; condition; and appeal.
The increasing use of the internet has affected values in recent years, as it has opened up the global market to buyers and sellers. Many prices have fallen, whilst others have remained steady.
The following prices are an approximation only, and reflect the differences in values from those expected at a market, through to those expected at auction, private sale or antique shop.
Teddies:
1930/40s – $250-$1,200
1950s - $80-$250
1960/70s – $30-$100
Dogs:
1940/50s – $45-$110
1960/70s – $10-60
Golly Wogs:
1960s – $80-$300
1970s – $50-150
Thankyou for your informative blog. I have a 1930’3-1940′s joy toys teddy and two dogs from the same period… Do you know where/who I could go to for valuing? Thankyou
Hi Keira,
We have been researching, trading in, and collecting Australian teddies and soft toys for 15 years, so would be happy to offer a (free) valuation, if you would like. Would it be possible to send pictures of your toys, to this email address? teddiesandjo[at]hotmail.com Coincidentally, we also have a 1930s teddy and two dogs!
Thanks
Hi Jo,
Thank you for your fast response. Teddy bear collecting seems extremely rewarding and interesting!
Basically the teddy has one amber eye(i think its glass) a green embroidered joy-toys logo on its right foot, its limbs move but not its neck/head, the fur is still pretty good, a few patches are starting to go a little bald, the nose is stitched and the mouth is a ‘y’ shape. I did just notice while taking photos it looks like someone has mended its neck… I attached a photo of this. The teddy is about 60cm tall? I don’t have a measuring tape, but its roughly 2 x 30 cm rulers high.
The bigger dog is tan with an off-white(possibly used to be white) nose area just under the eyes. He has no eyes, but he does have a stitched nose. The two front legs don’t hold him up as well as they probably once did, but it makes him look as if he’s playing so i don’t know if this is because of age or he was always like that. His fur is a lot barer then teddies and he has almost no fur at all on his tail. It feels kinda like there’s a round squeezee something in his tail? I don’t know maybe it was just to hive him shape. He is not in the best conditions, but still has his shape. He has a green embroidered joy toys label under his tummy on his left side.
The smaller dog also has no eyes. He has a stitched nose, but it looks like the centre of his nose has moved so the nose is just an outline. He stands upright easily and has an adorable shape but his fur is also going bare. He also has had someone in the past repair his ear (which I’ve attached pictures of). He has no label, but I am pretty sure he is the same brand as I found them altogether and they are made of the same sort of stuff…
I found all three in an old wooden suitcase, wrapped in plastic, in an old bird breeding room that hasn’t been opened in at least 10 years.
I hope this helps
Thank you,
Keira
Hi Keira,
Your teddy and dogs are wonderful!
Your teddy was made in the 1930s-40s. The style was made over a number of years, and so a precise date is not always possible. He is in great condition and a wonderful big size! The slight repair to his neck is easily made invisible using ‘ladder’ stitch and so isn’t a problem. His value would be from about $250.00 (selling on ebay), to $350.00 (selling privately through other media), up to $500.00 if he was being sold at a Teddy Bear Fair or antique shop.
The two dogs are about 1940s. Again, similar designs were used over a few years. The repair to the smaller one is also not a problem as it can be redone invisibly using ladder stitch. Glass eyes for each are readily available in shops that sell teddy making supplies, and would have been brown with black pupils. It is a common ‘fault’ in Joy Toys animals and bears to have lost their eyes, which was probably a design fault. Value for the larger dog would be $40-$70, and the smaller one $50-$80.
You made a great find!
Thanks,
Jo
Hi Jo
I came across your site while researching some information about some of my own ‘Joy Toys’ and other finds of unknown make. I don’t want to take advantage of the kind offer you made to Keira, but I wonder would it be possible for me to send you some photos too? I’d love some information/ valuation about my finds- I have found online pics similar to one of my bears but I have a beautiful black and white Joy Toys cat that I can’t find anything about. They all come from op shops or from a time when I worked on a rubbish tip. Some have been in very poor condition and I have done repairs- this may have lowered their value but I love them and don’t really mind- I just wanted them to be whole(ish) again! There are getting to be a few too many and as they are a bit delicate for my young children I’m considering rehoming some of them.
Best wishes
Kate
Hi Kate,
We would be happy to offer you a valuation of your toys. You can send any photos you have to this email address.
(My childhood teddy is a Joy Toys, so the company is a special interest to me! ).
Thanks again.
Hello again,
Here are my bears, and some info and closeups:
These first two are the op shop bears. $1 and $2 respectively!
1.I have no idea what make the one on the left is but I like him because he has a strangely shaped head which doesn’t fully come across in this pic. After reading your Joy Toys info, I don’t think he is one because he has a jointed neck. He is about 30cm high. Mohair with vinyl paw pads.
2. Big bear on the right has the green/white printed JT label, and is in really good nick, except has some patches of moth damage.No replaced parts. He’s about 45 cm tall. Mohair with velveteen paw pads.
3. Big bear. In ‘loved’ condition, and I have replaced his ears. Jointed neck, no identifying marks. Has a squeaker, and feels like it might be stuffed with straw or wood shavings (something crunchy). Has toes embroidered onto paws. About 50cm tall. Not sure if the fabric is mohair. Paw pads cotton.
4. Orange bear. No neck joint. Mohair(?) fabric with flannel pads. stuffing feels crunchy, label has faded and cant be read. I’ve replaced his eyes (but not nose yet) and have to reattach leg. About 35cms tall
Hi Kate,
Thanks for your pictures-you have a wonderful collection!
Labelling them from picture one….
-Australian Barton Waugh ‘Bruno’! Made in the 1950s. Value: $175-$250.
-Australian Joy Toys. Made in the 1950s. Value: $200-$350
-Polish teddy. Made of cotton, in the 1950s. Value: $75-$150
-Chinese teddy. Made of wool, in the 1960s, by the Shanghai Bear Company. Value: $30-$70
They are ALL lovely, and thanks for sharing your pictures!
I just want to say that your site is brilliant and very informative. Although, I do not have any “famous” Teddies, I like to know a bit about our much loved bears of the World.
Many thanks for a great read.
Kind regards,
Jillian
Thanks, Jillian!
We love collecting and finding out about them!
You never know where a special one will pop up-good luck!
Thanks again!
Dear Jo,
I also have come across your website while doing research. I have a teddy that was handed down to me as a child, i’ve kept it and was wondering if i could email you a couple of photos in the hope you could identify it. I’m not sure how old it is, I’m 45 and i believe it to be at least 11 yrs older than me. It’s blue, has a squeaky tummy (which still works), the arms & legs are moveable (they also still work), he has glass eyes (although 1 is missing. If you could give me some info, i would really appreciate it.
Many thanks & regards,
Kay
Hi Kay,
We are happy to see your pictures of Teddy, and to help you identify him!
Could you please send them to teddiesandjo[at]hotmail.com
Thanks,
Jo
Dear Jo,
The stuffing appears to be wood wool, soft & silky to touch on an original portion as per photo of the ear folded back, showing also the original color of pale blue. The paw pads appear to be cotton and the stitching appears to be original. Legs & arms rotate 360 degrees and head turns approx 10 degrees in each direction. Thanking you for your help!
Hi Kay,
We’ve been attempting to narrow down Teddy’s maker!
Thanks for the extra picture and info
We believe he is made from artificial silk plush, in the UK, between the mid 30s-mid 50s.
Unfortunately, as several companies made them, and they were made in a similar design for nearly 20 years, it is difficult to say precisely who made him. Blue was also a popular colour!
(Though many teddies were also cheaply made in a similar shape for chain stores, your teddy looks to be made from a higher quality fabric and so was probably made by a well-known factory).
We’ll keep researching, though, to hopefully narrow things down more!
Hope this info was at least a little bit helpful!
Hi there,
I have a joy toys white label with green writting tag, Peter Rabbit teddy bear. Was just wondering if you could give me some insight into it, how rare, how much it would be if I sold it and how old it is.
Thanks heaps
Hi Lisa,
Love your bunny!
It is most likely he was made in the very late 1920s-late 30s, and is quite rare!
It appears that he is made of artificial silk plush, with a mohair jacket. (Art silk was used a lot during the 1930s-40s, as fabrics such as mohair were in short supply due to WW2).
Peter Rabbit was also a popular theme for soft toys, and was made by other companies during the 1910s-30s.
The market is ‘down’ a bit at the moment, on such sites as ebay, but his value SHOULD be around $90-$110 on ebay, and up to $200 if he was in an antique shop, maybe more if keen collectors spot him!
Thanks
Hi Jo,
I am having a bit of a sort out & found this JOY TOY,his tag is white with green embrodery JOY TOY MADE IN AUSTRALIA, HE IS IN REASONABLY GOOD CONDITION FOR HIS VINTAGE, he does have a floppy neck,could you tell me something about him & if he is worth anything please
Thankyou Marlene
Hi Marlene,
Thanks for your email, and picture!
Your little dog is made of mohair, with glass eyes. If he feels crunchy when you squeeze him then he is stuffed with woodwool and was probably made in the 1930s. If he feels heavier and a bit softer then he would be stuffed with kapok, and made in the 1940s-50s. The settling of the stuffing isn’t a big problem as the gap in his seams (where he would have been stufffed through) can be found, and more put in to strengthen his neck.
He looks to be in good condition, with most of his fur, and so his value would be $40-$50 on ebay, and $50-$60 if he was sold at a collectors fair. The market is down a bit at the moment, though, so sellers aren’t always getting these prices!
Hoping you get a good price for him-he is cute!
Thanks!
Hi, I have been searching high and low trying to figure out the maker of my teddy bear. I am hoping that you may be able to tell me a little something. This bear measures approximately 60 cm tall in length, and approx. 45 cm sitting. This bear feels like plush and is soft and not crunchy when squeezed. The ears, nose, and pads are hand sewn. It has jointed arms and legs with a stiff neck. I bought it more than ten years ago at a consignment shop for $2. I have spent many years trying to find the toy maker. The eyes are slightly scratched.
Hi Charlene,
Thanks for your enquiry.
Teddy appears to have been made in the 1970s, from synthetic plush and stuffed with polyester stuffing. He is very similar in body shape to some teddies made by two New Zealand companies, Harrisons and Robbity Bob (Robin Rive’s company), though his unjointed neck is unusual. His face is very similar to 1970s teddies that were attributed to Robbity Bob. Without a label it can unfortunately be much harder to identify him, as you know! There is also the possibility that he has been made by a ‘cottage industry’ teddy bear maker.
Hope this information helps!
Thanks
Hi,
I was wondering if Joy Toys ever did monkey’s?
I have a monkey that has a hard face, feet and hands but a soft body; he also came with a pipe and dressed on mustard overalls with a navy blue trim.
I have had him since I was 2 y/o which means he was bought in the late 70′s.
The tag on him is faded but I can make out the word Joy and I was wondering whether you would know if he was made by this company.
Thanks
Renee
Hi Renee,
Yes-it is likely he was made by Joy Toys! Monkeys were a popular toy produced by them. He probably has a plastic face and hands, whereas the 1940s versions had celluloid ones, and 1960s ones sometimes had vinyl! His fabric is possibly artificial silk plush, with foam rummer filling, though if you are able to add a photo, we could let you know more precisely about what he is made of, and his date of manufacture.
There is also a company called ‘Joy Time’ who produced toys from the 60s onwards, though it is more likely your monkey was made by Joy Toys.
Thanks!
Hi Jo, I came across this blog a while ago and I want to say thank you for all the interesting information.
I’m thinking of selling a JoyToy giraffe which has orange-yellowish fur and black splotches, I would love if you could please tell me his era and how much he’s worth (i know it won’t be a lot of money) any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you, Belinda.
Hi Belinda,
Thanks!
Love your giraffe!
Joy Toys made giraffes in this form from the 1960s to the 1970s, and in different sizes. Your giraffe would have been made in the 1960s, from artificial silk plush, with big glass eyes, and stuffed with foam rubber. He would have an inner wire skeleton to help him stand up too! I’ll make a guess that he is the larger size, about 60cm.
If he is a little faded, but is in otherwise good condition, he would sell for $50-$70 at a collectors’ fair, or $30-$50 on ebay, as buyers will factor in postage costs.
Thanks!
Hi Jo,, Recently I purchased a Golliwog that I have cleaned up and he is now looking almost new.. He is a Joy Toy 3ft Golly he has a white tag with green embroidered stitching.. Just wondering what his value may be???
Hi Julie,
You have done a great job with him-he looks brand new!
Joy Toys made these ‘long-legs’ gollies (as well as poodles, teddies and other animals!) during the 1960s-70s. His tag is embroidered, and so he would be one of the earlier (1960s) versions.
His value would be approx. $40-$60 on ebay (as buyers tend to only pay bargain prices on ebay!), up to $90-$100 at a collector’s fair or in an antique shop.
Thanks for your enquiry!
Hi Jo,
Thanks for answering my question on the 20 January. Below is a photo of my fabulous (well I think anyway!!) Monkey.
Is he a joy toy?
Thanks
Renee
Hi Renee,
Your monkey is great! He was probably made by an English company, in particular Deans Rag Book Co. which made wonderfully detailed monkeys such as he is. He would date from the 1960s-70s, and is made from quality synthetic plush with painted rubbery plastic features.
Love his expressive eyes!
Hi, Here is a picture of my Panda and Teddy. They are both Joy Toys.
Panda was always my favourite and as you can see he has been so much loved there’s little fur and in some places material left. My mother stitched wool eyes on him and had to knit a cover for his chest, arms and back, but she couldn’t work out how to protect his nose. Later I had to stitch new pads to his feet. He still has the Joy Toys tag on the inside of his right leg.
Teddy is in better condition, with his original glass eyes. His head is fixed but his arms and legs are jointed. He has a Joy Toys tag stitched to his right foot pad. I’ve been told he used to make a noise but it stopped working so long ago I can’t remember what the sound was. I was born in the mid 1950s and I would appreciate anything you can tell me about them, though I don’t imagine they would be worth much.
Hi Keryn,
Panda is definitely ‘much loved’ but that gives him loads of character! I’m assuming he is unjointed, and appears to be made of black and white artificial silk plush. This became a popular fabric for toy makers to use during and after WW2 when mohair wasn’t as readily available for toy production. If he has a green embroidered tag, he would have been made from the early 1950s-early 1960s, or if it is a green printed label, in the late 1950s-early 1960s. He would have had glass eyes, and these may well have been a beautiful blue colour, probably with black vinyl backing them.
Not that you would want to sell him, but there are many collectors of ‘battered bears’! His value would be around $40 if sold at a collectors’ fair.
Teddy appears to be in very good condition! He has lovely long mohair fur, and of a rarer colour! Made in the early 1950s, his value if sold on ebay would be between $90-$150, and up to $250 at a collectors’ fair.
Thanks
Hi,
Thank you very much for the info! Yes, Panda is unjointed. Basically, there is no stuffing at the creases where the legs bend and I can feel less stuffing where the arms meet the body. There are remnants of plush on the legs. The original pads on his feet were white. His Joy Toys tag is a woven one in green.
Teddy is a bit faded by the looks of him (I can see traces of more of a light honey (?) colour on his back). His tag is woven too. I have to be careful with him – if I attempt to brush him I end up brushing his fur off! My mother remembers buying him for me at a toy shop in the Block Arcade in Melbourne. I remember seeing a toy shop in the arcade many many years later that advertised they sold Joy Toys. I don’t know if the shop still exists.
My mother and I were quite amazed at the values you suggested for my bears, given Panda’s condition and the fact that I imagine Teddy wasn’t an expensive purchase in the 1950s. Thank you very much for the info.
Hi Jom I bought a Joy Toys panda very like the one in Keryn’s photo but in better condition, closer to original. I bought him for $40 from the tip shop collectibles. They Google for prices so may have used yours. See him in my photo below, with my Joy Toy teddy bear. My panda as you will see is very worn but still has eye patches. He was filthy so I washed him and he seems none the worse for wear, just cleaner. I hadn’t realised that there was straw under the flock. I’m glad to know about the blue eyes. I would like to know where to position them. I would also love to give him a face again but I want to know that the faces looked like first so I don’t mess him up. Cheers, Jan
Can you help identify this loved – used to be pink – Kangaroo & joey? 15 inches to tip of ears – glass eyes – silky soft white tiny stringy stuffing…Pads & ears are cloth ? heavy but soft.
Hi Sandy,
Love your kangas! They are of a high quality, and the stuffing you described would be kapok. This accounts for the heavy weight too as it would be firmly stuffed in. Dating from the 1930s-1950s, I’m assuming the fabric used was a mohair blend, though it could be a wool plush-it’s a little hard to be sure from the photos, and either was popular to use at that time.
Kangaroos were a popular toy during this period and many companies produced them. By the shape, they are similar to a Steiff kangaroo we have, though Joy Toys, Merrythought and others did also make a range.
I’m sorry that a specific manufacturer can’t be given at the moment, but we’ll keep looking and let you know!
Thanks!
Hello – My mum has a joy toy green printing on a white tag. Its a cream dog that has a zip on its back and blue satin lining that you apparently put your pyjamas in. Hes in very good condition, no rips/tears/smells. I will get a pic asap. Any idrea of value? THanks
Hi Kristie,
Joy Toys made pj dogs for a number of years, between the 1950s-70s. The earliest ones were made of mohair, with glass eyes, and stuffed with kapok in the head. This gave the doggies a comparatively heavy head. Later ones are made from a mohair/synthetic blend, or synthetic plush, and by the 1970s they had plastic eyes. Most were made during the 1960s though.
They are collectable, being sold for around $50-$70 at a collectors’ fair, and $30-$40 on ebay.
Thanks
Hi, thanks for such a great & helpful site.
I was hoping you could have a look at Big Ted for me
He was given to my Mum as a child (she was born in 1936), not sure if he pre-dates her!!
He has both eyes, all moveable limbs, including neck & he has a tummy growler. White/Green embroidered JOY TOYS Made In Australia on foot.
Overall in really good conition – *stitching on paw undone & a little fur wear under chin/chest.
Really hoping you might be able to help me dating/value of Big Ted!!
Kindest Regards,
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
He sounds wonderful!
Joy Toys generally only made fully jointed teddies from 1923-mid 30s, and this date of manufacture ‘fits’ with when your mum received him. These earliest teddies are quite rare, and even rarer to still have their fur and eyes! A little fur wear is understandable, considering his age, and doesn’t detract from his value to collectors very much.
I’m assuming he’s around 60cm, as his name is “Big Ted’! lol If it is possible to post a picture of him on here, it would be great to see him too!:)
His value at a collectors’ fair or specialist auction would be $450-$700, as he is quite special!
It’s so nice to see that so many people still appreciate teddies. I have a Mickey Mouse, upturned nose, pie crust eyes, single layer black felt ears,big smile with 4 white printed teeth, two white buttons ‘holding’up red pants. Feet seem to have something hard inside to provide a sole. Joy-Toys label is white with green print. Does all this sound familiar? and value?
Hi Lyn,
I love the Joy Toys ‘Steamboat Willie’ Mickeys!
Joy Toys originally produced Mickey in the 1930s , when it acquired the rights from Disney to do so. The company re-released the same toy in the 1950s, and this is when your one would have been made.
They are very collectable, especially if he is in great condition. At a collectors’ fair, he would sell for $80-$100, or on ebay for $50-$60.
Thanks
Thank you Jo, he is in good condition and being treated respectfully. But.. I’m hooked, looking at other soft toys and teddies, discovered that I had another teddy with Joy Toy label, she is a large teddy, with glass eyes, pink in background and large black center, ‘fur’is very soft, blond, and in some places with a very light pink tinge, ?maybe light pink originally. They are beautiful loveable toys, I can see why people love them, and we should be proud that a Melbourne company made them. thanks
She sounds lovely! Yes, Joy Toys made beautiful toys and it’s great that their craftmanship is still being appreciated!
Hallo, did Joy Toys make lambs? I found an animal which looks like a lamb to me with a Joy Toy label.
Happy to send a photo if you wish. Thank you
Hi Eve,
Thanks for your enquiry
Yes, Joy Toys did make lambs, from at least the 1930s, possibly earlier!
If you are able to send a photo, that would be great as it helps very much in ascertaining when he was made, by looking at the tag, fabrics, stuffing, eyes etc.
The photo used for this article is a Joy Toys lamb too!
Thanks!
Here are some photos. I noticed he has a couple of threads holding his two front legs and his two back legs together, he doesn’t stand very straight, and his ears are lopsided! It was a bit difficult getting good photos of the label as it is so tightly sewn; but it has JOY TOYS Made in Australia in red, no brackets around the Made in..
Hope this helps ID the cute little toy, which was thrown out on a council pick up, destined for the compactor truck!!
Thanks for the great pictures
Your little lamb would have been made in the 1970s, unless his eyes are glass, in which case he could have been made in the 1960s.
He appears to be in good condition (most of the standing animals are a bit wobbly after all this time! lol)and is very cute!
His value at a collector’s fair would be $40-$50.
A lucky find!
thanks very much for that information. His eyes are indeed glass so he is quite an age. Yes, a lucky rescue for a dear old toy; he was in the company of an old knitted octopus – do you remember them with the big stuck on plastic eyes? plus a topsy-turvy cloth doll…. sad to think they could be turfed out on the street!!
Well done in rescuing them! They didn’t deserve the tip!
Hi there
I have an old Joy toys monkey with a face made of rubber and the rest if the body is fur. His ears are made of leather and he looks like he is from The Wizard of Oz.
We think he may have been made in 1930.
Can you enlighten us please
Many thanks
Brenda
Hi Brenda,
Thanks for your query!
To help to accurately value and date your monkey, I was wondering if it was possible for you to upload a picture of him? It is possible he was made in the 1950s, as most of the 1930s ones had velvet faces, and so we’d love to see a picture of him. Also, what colour/style is his tag, and does he have glass eyes? This info would also help to accurately identify him
Thanks again,
Jo
Hello from Patricia. It is very interesting to see your site. I was the designer at Joy Toys from 1961 until shortly before it closed due to overseas price competition. First I had to teach myself pattern making, starting from simple ideas in cotton cloth and then cutting and sewing the samples which would then be costed and sometimes altered. I think our best seller in the 70′s were the plush animal poofs that children could sit on, pig, hippo and elephant. They were in super bright 1970′s colours. I wonder what has happened to the huge samples that were especially made for shop display. They were all personally made by me. My design job was at one stage shared with a friend from art school who’s name was also Patricia. Our designs were totally original, dreamed up out of our own heads.
Thank you Patricia!
It is wonderful to hear from you, and to learn about your important role within the Joy Toys company!
I think your success is evident in the popularity of the toys you designed, after all these years!
Thanks again!
Jo
Hi.I have a mouse doll it is like the one Lyn B has but mine has checked pants and head its tag reads made in Australia in green on white any info would be good .
Thanks Dan.
Hi Dan,
He is an unusual Micky! He was made by Joy Toys, in the 1950s, though the checked fabric used on his head and body is rare!
I wonder if he was a prototype, as I have never seen another one.
His value would therefore be greater due to his rarity. At a collectors’ fair he would sell for $90-$150.
Thanks!
Hi just looking up joy toys to make a repair for a “donkey” we think…I was wondering if you had a pic i could fix his face with…up close. The ears used to stand up too, but i didnt want to pull them apart just yet… hope you can help. It has a purple label saying “joy toy made in australia”, and the donkey is orange and creamy tawny in colour. I have sewn on a new nose and mouth just now, but would like a pic to finish him off. For a friend’s new grand daughter. cheers tam.
Hi Tamsin,
I’ve managed to find one picture of a Joy Toys donkey that gives you an idea of his face, though I’ll keep looking for a clearer one! Hope this helps!
Thanks
Hi , i think i might have a couple of Donkeys by Joy toys.
The bigger one doesnt have a tag, but the smaller one does. It says Joy Time. Was wondering if that might be after they started importing after 76?
I actually had a small donkey in 76, i remember seeing it in a catalogue and it was called “Daisy eating donkey”do you think it could be Joy Toys ? It had googly eyes though, this one doesnt.
Thanks for you help.
Hi Daisy,
Love your donkeys!
The larger one is by Joy Toys, produced in approx. 1970-71 and would have been ‘eating’ a fabric daisy!
The smaller one is by a different company, Joy Time. Joy Time did copy many of the designs of Joy Toys but was not related to it. It also made lovely toys, though these are not as sought after as those by Joy Toys. I have added an article showing your Joy Toys donkey in a 70s catalogue, and will soon be adding one about Joy Time.
Hope this helps!
Please can you value my husband’s Joy-Toys Teddy Bear
The bear measures 48cm from the top of his ears to the bottom of his feet
My husband was born in 1947
Hi Pattyann,
What a lovely teddy! He is distinctly a 1940s Joy Toys bear, even if he had lost his tag! He looks to be in very good condition, with his original nose/mouth, and I’m assuming his original eyes, of beautiful quality glass. Made from long-pile mohair, his stuffing would be kapok (excelsior).
Joy Toys teddies are very collectable, and though ebay has caused values to fall over the past few years, his cute look and larger size would ensure he would be valued at $275-$375 at a Collectors’ Fair.
It’s great that your husband has been able to keep him!
Hi Jo…….thanks for your reply
My query now is should I repair the damaged seam to the pad of his left foot as per “Split Seams” in “Repairs to Antique and Vintage Teddy Bears” on this site?
Hi Pattyann,
Yes, that method is useful, unless the pad fabric needs to be distorted too much in order to make the edges meet, and the pad loses its shape too much. Another option to consider is to patch over the area, (or the entire pad) with a small piece of mohair that is reversed, and then sewn into place with small stitches on the seam line. It can also be colour-matched or treated (eg by soaking in tea!) to blend with the other pad colour.
Hope this helps!
Hi Jo,
I have an old Joy Toys Scotty Dog.
The ears have been chewed on a bit and no eyes left.
Measures 30cm long x 23cm in height.
Can you let me know of value please.
Nellie.
Hi Nellie,
He is a cute little dog! He would have been made in the 1940s, and from mohair.
Many Joy Toys toys have now lost their eyes, which can be replaced with a pair bought from a craft store, or online.
Unfortunately such sites as ebay have meant that values have reduced over the past few years. He would sell at a Collectors’ Fair for $40-$50.
Thanks
Hi, I have this ‘man’ which has a Joy Toy label however I was wondering if you could provide me with some more information about it; such as how old it is and how much it is worth? Many thanks.
Hi,
Thanks for your query.
Unfortunately your photo hasn’t loaded properly. Would it be possible to try loading it again, as it would be invaluable to giving correct information.
Thanks
Hi Jo, can you tell me anything about the mouse I have just aquired? He is just over 12 inches tall and 4 inches across the hips. Straw filled, with wire in his ears and tail, green felt hands made of a plush material. vey neat stitching, no labels anywhere.
Hi Nick,
Thanks for your query.
Mickey was a very popular toy in the 1930s, and many companies produced versions, such as Joy Toys, Steiff and Deans Rag Book Co. Your Mickey is very similar to those made by Joy Toys in the 1950s, though does not have printed features. As the company acquired the licence to produce Disney toys in the 1930s, this Mickey is probably one of those produced at this time, as felt was a popular fabric in toy production then, and woodwool was more commonly used as stuffing. This earlier version is much rarer and he appears to be in very good condition. His hands may be replaced, but he is a great addition to a collection, and would be valued at $80-$120 at Collectors’ Fair.
Thanks!
Howdy Jo
I have a sad tale to tell of the puppy mauling the face of my beloved Joy Toy “Chelmsford” the monkey (1930′s?)
I was wondering if anyone knows if replacement faces were ever available or if there is another one that might be damaged but has an okay face???
Not sure what I can do, any suggestions would be most welcome…
thanks Edie
PS I too have a ‘Mickey” with the checked trousers, so that ,makes 2!
cheerio
Edie, my Jack Russell attacked my Teddy that i had for 50 years plus, he ripped the eyes out, and tore it’s head off, I saved all the pieces and the straw filling, a very kind lady from the central coast reassembled him and pout a new growler inside whilst he was under surgery.
He has a new life now.
Nick
Hi Nick,
Thanks for your comment-it’s great that Teddy was able to be brought back to life!
Hi Edie,
Poor monkey! Unfortunately our dogs and cats seem to love the old toys! My Joy Toys teddy got a chewed paw the same way
Chelmsford is a 1930s monkey, based on a character by the illustrator, Clarence Lawson-Wood. We have occasionally seen them for sale and to buy another damaged one with a good face would be the easiest way to have him repaired as the other face could be used to replace the damaged face. Having made teddy bears, it is possible for a teddy repairer to dismantle him and skillfully attach the new face. Another alternative, if a replacement face is hard to find, is that a craftperson (such as a felt doll maker) who works with felt may be able to remould the lower part of his face, and blend in new felt fibres to rebuild the damaged area.
We will look out at the Collectors’ Fairs for a new face for him, and if you let us know which area you are in we will be able to let you know which repairers/doll or teddy makers are near to you and can offer advice and help in bringing him back to good health!
Great to hear that you have a Mickey too!
Good luck!
I got Pink Ted when I was one in 1962 – she has blue eyes and a stitched nose and paws. She has been cuddled and loved by many babies and children and had the stuffing loved out of her, and has been washed numerous times too. Pink Ted has a lable sewn behind her right leg that used to read Joy Toys Australia – I love her to death and would never sell her, but I’m curious like the others, is she worth anything to anyone but me? Thanks.
Hi,
Teddy is still in great shape after all that love!
The shifted stuffing just adds to her appeal. The crumbed rubber or foam tends to do that over time too.
She has the look of a Wendy Boston teddy from the same era!
She is cute and very collectable, and has a value of $50-$90 to collectors.
It’s great that you still have her!
Thank you Jo from one Jo to another, I do love my Ted, and would never part with her, even if she were worth 10 times as much, actually even 100. Teddys are for life, not just for christmas, yes?
I have one of these bears. It was given to my mother (in 1955) then to me (in 1982) and now to my daughter (in 2009). Our teddy has been very well loved and I am currently looking to get a hold of another one. My daughter is very attached to this teddy, “he” goes everywhere – and I mean everywhere. Where should I look for one of these wonderful teddies?
Hi Jo,
Merry Christmas to you.. Found your site and all comments very interesting. So many Bears, such fun. I was hoping you could help with my Joy Toy Monkey with a bit more information about him. I have been led to believe that ‘Snookie’ is over 100 years old. His previous owner passed away over 30 years ago at the age of 90ish and she’d had him for a very long time before that. As you can see his condition is pretty good and he is a pajama bag, no rips or tears, just general wear and lots of loving! His head and arms turn without any problems and the zip is good. Any info about him would be greatly appreciated and a rough valuation would also be appreciated.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Sue
Hi Sue,
Thanks!
Snookie is in great condition for his age! He is a first cousin of ‘Chelmsford’, of whom Edie wrote about in a previous comment!
He would similarly have been made in the 1930s, based on a Lawson character. He is made from artificial silk plush, and has a pressed felt face with painted features. The stuffing in his limbs and head is most probably a kapok/woodwool blend.
Joy Toys toys are very popular with collectors, and he would sell at a Collectors’ Fair for $90-$120.
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Hi Jo
I have two bears that have loved and fought each other for over 50 years and are now retired to the shelf. They were handed down from older brothers and i don`t know an exact age of them. would you be able to age them by the style and whats left of the label?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Mick
Hi Mick,
Sounds like your teds have had an eventful life! (and a well-earned rest?) lol
The tag would have originally read ‘JAKAS TOYS/WASH IN LUKEWARM LUX’, and so dates them as early Jakas teddies from the early-mid 1960s. (There is an article about Jakas here too, if you are interested to read more about the company).
The earlier Jakas teddies are especially collectable. If your teddies are about 35cm and in good condition, they tend to sell for $40-$50 at a Collectors’ Fair.
Thanks!
Hi Jo- love the informative site! I am having trouble dating this Joy Toys squirrel, could you help? What is he worth?
Thank you! Nikki
Hi Nikki,
I’m assuming your cute squirrel has glass eyes and is relatively heavy for his size (is quite firm and not ‘crunchy’ if you squeeze him). He would therefore be stuffed with kapok. He would have been made in the 1940s-early 50s, from woven-backed artificial silk plush, or possibly a mohair blend. His tail and ears appear to be mohair.
He is in great condition, and if he is about 25cm high, he would sell at a Collectors’ Fair for $60-$100.
Thanks!
I feel like a bad mum though, I always thought he had tiny stitched eyes. Now I think he has no eyes! Looks like maybe a few stitches that might have once secured the eyes.
Thanks so much for the information!
Hi Jo
I have just found this gorgeous much loved old teddy after moving my parents into care. She has a very tiny label on her right leg that says that she is a joy toy bear. She is a little grubby and appears to have been well loved in the past. I think she may have been pink originally as she has pink fabric under her arms and legs and ears. She has a brown square stiched nose and mouth and I am unsure whether her eyes are glass or plastic. One of her eyes is broken. She has some sort of rolling mechanism inside her to make her growl but it is broken. She is stiched from her mouth all the way down the front and back up the back to a Y shape on the back of her head. I would really appreciate it if you could tell me when she was made and if she is of any value??
thanking you for your time
Best wishes
Beth
PS I forgot to say that she is jointed
Hi Beth,
Joy Toys teddies are highly collectable, though the current market is ‘down’ at the moment. Teddy has the lovely smiley face, and would have been made in the 1960s, from woven-backed synthetic plush. Her eyes would be glass, with a semi-jointed body (stiff neck!). Foam rubber stuffing was used with ( I presume) velveteen pads. She looks to be in good condition and so would sell at a collectors’ fair for $AU80-120. Hope this helps!
Hi Jo, I have 2 Joy Toy Giraffes. One that is 1.15 meters high and the other 60cm high. Both have a wire frame insdie them and are in excellent condition with no holes or wear. Both have a Joy Toy tag. I would really like to know what the value of these Giraffes may be. I have never seen another Giraffe so tall as the first one and was wondering if it may have been made for display purposes only to promote the rest of this brand possibly in a toy shop. I look forward to your reply. Kind Regards, Mandy
Hi Mandy,
Unfortunately your picture didn’t load, but we have seen several giraffes and so hopefully can help you know more about them! Joy Toys made giraffes from at least the 1950s-60s, from artificial silk plush, glass eyes and cotton thread for the mane and tail. The label was in green print on a white background. During the 1970s, the giraffes usually also had glass eyes, but the mane and tail were made from a plastic raffia-like thread and the fabric was silkier. The label was often in red print on a white background. They were made in many sizes, from 45cm to 120 cm, though shop display models were up to 152cm.
If your giraffes are in good condition, they would sell at collectors’ fairs for (1950s): $ 50/$120; or (1970s): $35/$85.
Thanks!
Hi Jo,
I hope you may be able to help me with your expert opinion. I can’t seem to find any information on this little fella. He’s an infant’s walker, a horsey on wheels with a handle to push him around. From the floor to the top of his head it measures 45cm. The wheels are all in perfect working order and he’s structurally very sound. He’s lost a bit of his plush on his back, near the rear, and tiny bit on the diamond shape on his forehead. He has glass eyes and when you squeeze him it almost feels like sand inside? Anyway, I was wondering if you’d ever come across one like him before. He was given to me as a gift and I just adore him.
Thank you so much for your time,
Kind regards,