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Joy Toys began production in the 1920s. The early teddies were fully jointed, made of mohair and with woodwool stuffing and glass eyes.
By the 1930s, the neck joints were no longer movable. It was also then that the 'Joy Toys nose' was first used, wherein an outer stitch on each side was made longer than the rest of the nose stitches. Kapok was used as the stuffing. Dolls were also produced, often made with cloth-mask faces and felt bodies.
The happy Joy Toys smile first appeared on the teddies from the 1950s. Still jointed, the arms and legs were stumpier, with synthetic mohair blends or synthetic plush being popular fabrics. Animals, with the same sweet expression, were also manufactured, in a great range of shapes.
During the 1960s, the machine-washable teddy was developed. Completely unjointed, of synthetic fur, they originally had glass eyes, but soon after were made with click-lock plastic safety eyes.
When tariffs were removed on imported toys by the Australian government, JT was unable to compete with the influx of cheap Asian toys, and closed its doors in 1976.
Labels:
The labels used by Joy Toys varied, according to the date the toy was produced.
-1920s-40s-green embroidered.
-1950s-60s-green printed.
-1960s-70s-red or purple printed.
Values:
The earliest teddies are now valued between $250 - $1200. Those from the 1970s, though, can be bought for between $30 - $100. Mohair dogs from the 1940s or 50s are valued from $60 - $110 whereas newer versions in synthetic fabrics are purchasable for under $20!
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