Toymaker:
KNICKERBOCKER
TOY COMPANY
(1859-1984)
“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning.
But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood”
-Fred Rogers
Welcome to the
KNICKERBOCKER TOY
& DOLLS COMPANY
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(1850's to 1984) The Knickerbocker Toy & Dolls Company first made educational toys, blocks and wooden puzzles. The company was founded by Dutch immigrants named Van Whye in the Albany, NY region. The name "Knickerbocker" was a nickname given to Dutch immigrants - it referred to the "baggy pants" Dutch settlers wore. During the 30's they acquired the rights from International Feature Service, Inc. to manufacture Krazy Kat and Ignatz Mouse toys.
The company is also known for their plush Disney characters and their Good Luck Bear. They also acquired the rights to make Holly Hobbie, Snoopy, and Curious George dolls. In the 1980s, Lionel Train Company took over Knickerbocker Toy Company and, with Lionel Train Company filing for bankruptcy in 1984, the line discontinued. Knickerbocker was sold to Hasbro in 1984.
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More information can be found on our Resources Page.
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Fun Facts:
1. In 1925 by Leo L. Weiss moved from the Albany, NY to New York City, where their most successful toys were teddy bears, nicknamed Animals of Distinction. All of their dolls and puppets during that period were made of cloth, composition and vinyl (rubber).
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2. That year, Knickerbocker started to use permanent labels. From the late 1940's, a satin label [1] was used with a small figure in a horseshoe with the words: 'Made under sanitary laws', which meant that the plush and the stuffing was hygienic.In the 1950's, to the Knickerbocker logo from before the war ('Animals of Distinction') a second new registered trademark was added: 'Joy of a Toy'.
3. In the 1960's, they were licensed to make 'Smokey Bear' dolls. A talking version was made. It included a build-in tape that told the children about preventing forest fires.
4.In 1968 the company moved to Middlesex, New Jersey. There, they imported the different parts from Korea and assembling them there.
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Workers assembling the popular Hollie Hobby Dolls
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Read more about the exciting history of the Knickerbocker Toy Company, and others, on our Resource Page.
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