Life in Australia

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Pre-war Vintage Steiff Pug Pull Toy on Wheels (1918)

Asmuni and his wife Joy have been collecting vintage toys for over 25 years. At the Doll Fair 2006 he even managed to sell one of their vintage Steiff Bears for the price of $10,000. I was lucky enough to get this vintage Steiff Pug on wheels from their collection. Eventhough this pug has no buttons or tags he is for sure a Steiff (judging from the appearance and the wheels), this toy might be produced between 1918 to 1920s. He is made from brown mohair and he has a brown leather colar.

This pug on wheels is stuffed with straw and he has his original black stitched nose and mouth and black button eyes. This toy has been played with and he has lost almost all of his fur. He might even at one stage attacked by a dog. His metal wheels are all original and work well. As with many early pull toys there have been some sympathetic repairs to this pug but none of this detracts from his charm and style.

Asmuni came from Singapore and migrated to Australia 30 years ago. He was the only participant at the Doll Fair who could communicate with me in Malay.

The China Doll of Jacki Brooks

Isn't that wonderful to meet Jacki Brooks the editor of "Doll & Bear Digest Facts Magazine in person and on top of that to be able to collect one of the dolls from her collection?

I got this small 1890 China Doll from her to accompany my grandma's doll (please read the posting of May 2006 in the archives).

Ann-Marie, Mrs King's Doll

A lot of people went to see the Doll Fair, most of them were born before 1950s and they bought toys for themselves. "When we were children, life was hard. We could not afford to buy toys" said Mrs King. " Now that I am an adult, I am free to buy what I want. I don't smoke, I don't drink, I don't play pokkies and I don't go on holidays therefore I deserve to buy dolls once a year. This year I bought this doll which I named Ann-Marie and last year I bought a big Kewpie doll to keep me company."

Helmut The Early German Bear

Today and tomorrow (29th and 30th of July 2006) the Doll Collectors Club of NSW Inc. presents the 25th Annual Doll Fair at Blacktown Leisure Centre in Stanhope Garden. I collected a few items among others was Helmut the vintage Teddy Bear.

I met Lana and Cheryl the owners of Olde Bear Attic in Melbourne who came to join the fair and I bought Helmut from them. Helmut is an 18 1/2" Early German. Kapok & wood-wool filled. More than 60% old gold mohair coverage. The felt paws and pads have been replaced and he is fully jointed with boot button eyes. He surely has the most distinguishing face, the reason why I chosed him. Helmut comes wearing his wonderful officers uniform and a captain cap.

The Metal Steam Engine from Solo

This iron locomotive is heavy because it was made from solid metal. I bought it from an antique dealer in Solo, Central Java and then brought it to Australia.

This steam engine was handcrafted by an apprentice in metal turner. The name of the student who made that solid locomotive (which can be used as a doorstop) was written at the bottom of the train. The maker was Sumarsono.

In the rural areas of Solo, we still find some sugar plantations and the sugar cane was transported by lorries pulled by a vintage locomotive. I have always been fascinated by trains even until today.

Jeckle, the Vintage Mohair Growler Teddy Bear

I won this vintage 20" Mohair Teddy Bear with working tilt growler from e-bay auction a few months ago. He is five way disc-jointed and he has original glass eyes, stitched nose and mouth. Claws are stitched with one paw having loose threads. He is straw stuffed, nice and firm, no sagging and retain 75% of his blonde mohair. His head is large and his nose is quite pointed giving him a very expressive face, ears are slightly offset.

Karen J.Hammer his previous owner lives in Adelaide and her code name at e-bay is Hecklebird01. Heckle is the name of Karen's pet which is a mischievious Magpie. I named the teddy bear Jeckle. Heckle and Jeckle is a pair of hilarious and witty black magpies made their debut in the 1946 short The Talking Magpies. They certainly looked alike but Heckle spoke with a New York accent while Jeckle spoke with a British accent. Jeckle the bear has long tapered arms and although untagged he is probably an English Teddy Bear from the year 1930s.

Heckle & Jeckle were always looking for a free ride, free meals, free board and lodging and usually got what they wanted by way of their cleverness.

The Story of Sydney the Vintage Teddy Bear

I overlooked a letter that was sent together with Sydney the vintage Teddy. This is the story of Sydney told by Kerri-Ann the previous owner;

Hi Theresa,
I purchased the little fellow several years ago from an old German lady who was selling up her estate to go into a home. She told me that teddy originally belonged to her brother when he was a baby, and if he was still alive he would be 87 years old back then.

I estimate teddy's age is around 92 years old.
Teddy was in an old box filled with cherished things belonged to her brother; photos, letters etc. The key around his neck is one of two that opened the old box (I gave it a coat of paint because it was very rusty).

I hope you love him as much as I do. Being a collector yourself I know you will cherish him.

Take care both of you,

Kerri-Ann

Sue McPerson's Donald Duck(s)

Donald Duck is an animated cartoon and comic-book character from Walt Disney Productions. Donald is a white anthropomorphic duck with yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet. He usually wears a sailor shirt and cap - but no pants (except when he goes swimming).

According to the cartoon Donald Gets Drafted (1942), Donald's full name is Donald Fauntleroy Duck (his middle name appears to be a reference to his sailor hat, which was a common accessory for Fauntleroy suits). Donald's birthday is officially recognized as June 9, 1934, the day his debut film was released, but in The Three Cabaleros, his birthday is as simply "Friday the 13th". In Donald's Happy Birthday (short) it has his birthday as the 13 th of March.

Sue McPerson was born in Sydney, New South Wales in 1940. She was given 2 Donald Duck toys, one of them was a saving box from the Bank of New South Wales. Westpac Bank is the oldest bank in Australia, which started in the year 1817 as the Bank of New South Wales. It has undergone various convergences throughout history, and it settled to be named as Westpac Bank in the years 1982, deriving its name from the territory that it operates, the Western Pacific territory.