Genuine Fur Koala Collectible Bears & Other Stuffed Friends from Australia

Genuine Fur Koala Bears and Friends - Vintage Souvenirs from Australia

Soon after the creation of the traditional Teddy Bear, Australia's "bear", the Koala became popular as a subject for toys and collectibles.

Genuine Fur Koala Bears

Early koala bears, created in the 1920s were jointed at the head and limbs and were made from kangaroo, wallaby, and even koala fur. Eyes were leather shoe buttons, noses were pure rubber or gutta percha, and claws were leather or rubber. They were usually stuffed with wood wool or cork.

Jointed Fur Koala Bear

Jointed Fur Koala Bear

Rare to find, especially in good condition, jointed koala bears were still occasionally made into the 1940s, with glass eyes replacing the original leather shoe button eyes.

Jointed Fur Koala Bear

Jointed Fur Koala with little buddy

Stuffing Kapok & Sub

By the 1930s, most koala bears were no longer jointed and had a fixed head with a new outstretched starfish-like body design, made nearly exclusively from kangaroo fur.

Early Koala with Leather Claws

Early starfish design, still showing leather claws.

Leather Claws

In the 1920s into the 1930s accessories became popular. Tea cozies, muffs, purses and other decorative items.

Purse Muff

Purse Muff

Kangaroo Fur Koala Purse Muff with Cord

Muff is lined with plaid flannel, has a metal zipper for the purse section, a red cord strap and a Koala head with glass eyes.

Koala Tea Cosy

Koala Tea Cosy

Koala Tea Cosy

Back of Tea Cosy

Apricot satin quilted lining Tea Cosy

Billy Blue Gum Character Bear

A character developed by Norman Lindsay Billy Bluegum who debuted in the newspaper in 1904 became a popular creation.

Billy Bluegum Character info

Koala's came in many designs. Here is a leather hand puppet Koala.

Koala Hand Puppet

Leather Skin Puppet

In the 1940s to 1950s glass eyes replaced the leather boot button eyes, and the use of synthetic rubber increased. Stuffing was kapok or kapok and wood wool combinations. The basic shape of the koala remained the same.

In the 1960s the kangaroo fur used was generally lighter than the earlier fur used. The earlier wallaby fur was longer and darker.

Fur Kangaroo and Joey

Harder to find, a kangaroo and her joey (baby) made from kangaroo fur, with glass eyes.

Fur Joey

Even the joey has glass eyes.









In the 1970s, plastic safety lock eyes, synthetic rubber noses & claws and even synthetic fur came into use.

Example of darker vs lighter Kangaroo Fur

Different furs, from different species produced varied products. Darker/ lighter, more fluffy, curly, straight.

Fluffy Fur Koala Bears

Large Koala with little buddy

Koalas came in many different sizes. Styles remained consistent but there were a wide range of sizes.

Musical Koala Bear with Original Tag

Musical koala bear on stand. Wind Up, plays Waltzing Matilda and has original hang tag. Tag gives information on koalas.

Koala Story

Koala with original tag

Unusual to find a koala with its original tag. There were many producers/makers of genuine fur koalas in Australia. Made as souvenirs, they can be found worldwide, as visitors brought them home from their travels.

3D Relief Framed Fur Koala Decor

Koala souvenirs came in many different genres. The Koala story remained the same.

Koala Bear Story

A nocturnal marsupial, native to Australia, who carries their young in a pouch and later on their backs, the koala does not drink water, getting their moisture solely from eucalyptus tree leaves, native to Australia. Their only enemy is the Dingo, also native to Australia, and man.

Due to public opinion, kangaroo fur koala souvenirs are no longer readily available.  Only specialized licensed maker's still produce genuine fur koalas and other souvenir items.

Vintage Fur Koala items are more easily found outside of Australia due to the souvenir nature of the original product. Most were purchased and taken home to the traveler's home country.

These koala items are from my own personal collection.

Please visit Mandicrafts.

More information on genuine fur koala stuffed animals is available at Teddy and Bears.

Bear hugs
Mandy
Mandicrafts
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