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Joy-Toys

Joy-Toys was founded in the twenties in South Yarra in Australia, by Gerald Kirby and his wife. It was probably the first Australian Teddy Bear factory. The company had a rough start, until they started making Disney-characters under license around 1935.
After the Kirby's left for London in 1937, Joy-Toys expanded under Maurice Court. In 1966 the company was taken over by the British company Cyclops. In the early seventies production was shut down.

Joy-Toys-bears from before the second World War are made of plush and have a stuffing of woodwool and a characteristic nose. No neck disc, would become the trademark of Joy-Toys Teddy Bears and other Australian brands after the second World War.
At the end of the fifties and in the sixties the shape of Joy-Toys bears didn't change. They still had the square nose and big, glass eyes, discs in the limbs and a characteristic, unmovable neck.

Trademarks

Joy-Toys trademark was a white label on the right sole, with 'Joy-Toys made in Australia' on it in green, sewn letters.

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Joy-Toys