Suzy Quality (Toys) and W. Walter KG (Kersa) Germany - Collectible Teddy Bears
Suzy Quality, Nuremberg Germany show a registration of the trademark "Suzy Toys" in 1971. There is a bit of a mystery surrounding the company because the owner of the trademark (which expired in 2011) was Heinrich Bauer (now Heinrich Bauer Group) who distribute their own toys. There is also another company registered in Nuremberg "Suzy Toys GmbH Vetriebs KG" and it is not clear if there is any affiliation. There is no information in any of my Teddy Bear reference books and almost no information on line! I understand Suzy Toys are still in operation and now import high quality plush from China.
A little plush pig c1980's to 1990's with a red plastic Suzy Toys Swing Tag that has a Bear Logo centre symbol, and a tush seam tag. Prior to this plastic swing tag, Suzy Toys used a golden cardboard swing tag with the same logo symbol.
Suzy Toys teddy bears often have plastic noses and an embroidered mouth with a rather grim look. Their pads are either dralon plush or felt and they have small brown plastic eyes and wire musculature so that they are flexible rather than disc jointed and are sometimes mistaken for Bigo Bello/Schuco toys. Besides Teddy Bears, Suzy Toys made cats, leopards, goats and other farm and wild animals, often with stiffened ears, coats of either dralon, mohair or synthetic plush and ears backed in velvet. Their donkeys have black and white eyes and felt ears.
An adorable miniature Teddy Bear by Suzy Toys, with his smooth faux leather (Vinyl) foot pad stamped "Suzy" and his original wooden box showing a colourful red Logo stamp on each side. c1990's
The Suzy Toys miniature Teddy Bears are just 2 inches tall but are fully jointed and wear adorable little outfits and accessories.
Wilhelmine (W.) Walter KG Germany was found in Lobositz, a small town in Bohemia in the Western part of the Czech Republic about 30 miles north of Prague in 1925. Wilhelmine originally began making soft toys for her children.
The "Kersa" trademark name began in 1933, derived from "Kunstlerisch Erzeugte Spielsatchen" meaning "artistically produced playthings".
A plush and felt Easter Bunny Doll by Kersa, complete with her posy of felt flowers and a woven basket on her back ready to fill with Easter Eggs.
Up until 1956, all animals and bears bear a small metal tag on their foot with the Kersa name. In 1948 Kersa moved to Mendelheim Germany producing teddy bears, cats dwarves and Easter Bunnies.
The bunny doll has a metal tag on the bottom of her foot, saying "Made in Germany" so she dates between 1948 to 1956.
In 1960 Kersa ceased production of teddy bears and concentrated on production of cloth and wooden puppets. Today, Kersa Spielwaren-Atelier GmbH & Company KG is Germany's leading manufacturer of hand puppets.
This vintage Hare hand puppet is possibly made by Kersa but he has no labels or tags to confirm, however he does resemble a current product design Kersa shows on their website.
A vintage Kersa Wolf hand Puppet.
Please visit Mandicrafts to view some of the items shown in the photos above!
Happy Hunting!
Mandy
Mandicrafts
©mandicrafts
©mandicrafts
(just click on any of the names)
Mandicrafts Bears and Collectibles Store
Mandicrafts Website
Coollectors Website
Treasure Hunters Blog
Kersa Puppets
Thank you for this very interesting and useful information. I have just bought a Kersa Rabbit and now I will be able to date her production.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad it was helpful for you! I appreciate your message!
ReplyDeleteMandy