1/17/2024 0 Comments Needle imprint toyOne of the logos was a lower-case "g" with bunny ears which became synonymous with the company and its products. In the 1940s, Gund received trade mark registrations for two versions of its logos, both of which can be seen on its products during that time. The deal with Disney allowed Gund to supply every major toy retailer in the United States with licensed Disney merchandise. Its relationship with The Walt Disney Company began in 1947 and contributed to expansion of Gund. Gund also became the first licensor of cartoon characters, producing plush toy versions of Popeye, Mickey Mouse, Felix the Cat, and Tigger. It also introduced "puppy purses," a stuffed animal dog that doubled as a purse. Some of the most notable Gund products in the 1930s included its line of Easter Bunnies which continue to be one of its most popular products. Jacob oversaw design and production, Abe acted as the chief financial officer, and John ran sales and promotions. Swedlin brought his brothers Abe and John on board with the company, which began rapid expansion. When Gund retired in 1925, he sold the company to Swedlin for $1,500. Gund taught Swedlin to become a cutter and pattern maker, teaching him the ins and outs of the company. 1925–1968: New ownership and expansion ĭuring the early years of the company, Adolf Gund was the mentor to Jacob Swedlin, a Russian immigrant who came to the United States in 1907. The company was eventually sold when Adolf Gund retired in 1925. It continued to market its products under the moniker GEE up until the late 1920s, as evidenced in various advertisements in Playthings and other toy magazines. Gund created many of the industry standards in its early years, including safety standards and the manufacturing processes for toys. Gund also secured many other patents for toys such as the wind-up walking plush, dancing toys, and walking toys. The ride-on duck was produced by Gund for approximately 10 years commencing in 1912. It had wheels that operated a working duck bill which moved up and down as the wheels turned. One of the company's most notable patents was for a "ride-on duck" which was a duck for children to ride on. Once such patent was for what was described as a "springing dog." The design called for a mechanism to be placed inside the stuffed animal which would cause it to jump, "bringing it to life." Another patent was for a walking mechanism which allowed the plush to walk. In the early 1900s, Gund received numerous patents that introduced various mechanisms into plush toys. The moves were all prompted by the need for larger manufacturing quarters. It moved from location to location as it expanded, starting off on Third Avenue and eventually moving to Ninth Street by 1922. Gund produced its first products in loft factories around New York City. In the early years, Gund used GEE as the company slogan in advertising on product labels. He started Gund as a small toy and novelty company which was incorporated under the name Gund Manufacturing Company in 1910. He was born in Germany and resided in Norwalk, Connecticut before settling in New York City. History 1898–1925: Formation through retirement of Adolf Gund Progression of Gund logos from inception through 2016. In the 1980s, China became one of Gund's primary sources for stuffed toys. Gund is headquartered in Edison, New Jersey and currently a division of Spin Master, which acquired the company from Enesco in March 2018. It has won multiple awards during its 120+ years and was also the face of a United States Postal Service stamp. The company is best known for its line of Teddy bears, and holds or has held licensing agreements with companies such as Sesame Street, Peter Rabbit, Curious George, Studio Ghibli, Hello Kitty, PAW Patrol, and Toca Boca. Gund is currently run by third generation family owner Bruce Raiffe whose grandfather Jacob Swedlin purchased the company from the original founder (Adolph Gund) in 1925. The company is based in Edison, New Jersey, and distributes throughout the United States and Canada as well as in Europe, Japan, Australia, and South America. Gund is a Canadian-owned manufacturer of plush stuffed animals.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |