Knickerbocker Toy Company
133 years in operation (1850–1983)
About Knickerbocker Toy Company
One of America's oldest toy companies, Knickerbocker produced teddy bears, plush animals, and character dolls over more than a century. Their Mickey Mouse dolls of the 1930s are highly collectible. Knickerbocker also produced Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls under license for decades.
History of Knickerbocker Toy Company
Knickerbocker was one of the great American plush and character-doll makers, and its history is essentially the history of American character licensing in soft toys. Mickey Mouse dolls in the 1930s, Raggedy Ann and Andy for decades, Pinocchio, Howdy Doody, Snoopy, Holly Hobbie — if a character was popular in America, Knickerbocker probably made the plush version.
The company's quality was above the general run of licensed plush. Its 1930s Mickey Mouse dolls, with their oilcloth or velveteen construction and printed features, are now among the most collected Disney items of the period, and its Raggedy Ann and Andy production is the version most Americans of several generations actually owned.
Knickerbocker also made teddy bears and hard-plastic and vinyl dolls. It was acquired in the 1980s and the name passed through several hands, with the plush lines ending under the original identity in 1983.
Timeline
- 1850The Knickerbocker business is established in New York
- 1925Character plush and dolls become the company's principal product
- 1934Licensed Mickey Mouse dolls are among the most successful Disney toys of the decade
- 1963Knickerbocker holds the Raggedy Ann and Andy licence
- 1983Production under the original Knickerbocker identity ends
Notable & Best-Selling Toys
- Knickerbocker Mickey Mouse doll (1930s)
- Knickerbocker Raggedy Ann & Andy
- Knickerbocker teddy bears
- Knickerbocker Pinocchio doll
- Knickerbocker Howdy Doody puppet
Identifying & Dating Knickerbocker Toy Company Toys
- Look for a sewn-in cloth label reading "Knickerbocker Toy Co." with a city and, on later items, a copyright line for the character licensor.
- Label design changed over the decades and is the standard dating tool for plush; a missing label makes precise attribution difficult.
- 1930s Disney items carry "Walt Disney Enterprises" rather than the later "Walt Disney Productions", which brackets them tightly.
Collector's Notes
- Labels are everything in plush collecting. An unlabelled 1930s Mickey is an attribution; a labelled one is a documented Knickerbocker.
- Condition standards are harsh — original clothing, unmatted plush, intact features and no moth damage. Replaced eyes and re-stitched seams are common and should be disclosed.
- Early Disney and Raggedy Ann items are the strongest sellers. Later 1970s and 1980s licensed plush is plentiful and worth relatively little.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Knickerbocker Toy Company founded?
Knickerbocker Toy Company was founded in 1850, based in New York, NY.
Is Knickerbocker Toy Company still in business?
No. Knickerbocker Toy Company ceased operations in 1983, after 133 years in business.
What is Knickerbocker Toy Company best known for?
Knickerbocker Toy Company is best known for Knickerbocker Mickey Mouse doll (1930s), Knickerbocker Raggedy Ann & Andy, Knickerbocker teddy bears, among other toys.
Where was Knickerbocker Toy Company located?
Knickerbocker Toy Company was based in New York, NY.
What kinds of toys did Knickerbocker Toy Company make?
Knickerbocker Toy Company is categorized under dolls, plush toys, character toys.
How can you identify genuine Knickerbocker Toy Company toys?
Look for a sewn-in cloth label reading "Knickerbocker Toy Co." with a city and, on later items, a copyright line for the character licensor. Label design changed over the decades and is the standard dating tool for plush; a missing label makes precise attribution difficult. 1930s Disney items carry "Walt Disney Enterprises" rather than the later "Walt Disney Productions", which brackets them tightly.
Are Knickerbocker Toy Company toys valuable?
Labels are everything in plush collecting. An unlabelled 1930s Mickey is an attribution; a labelled one is a documented Knickerbocker. Condition standards are harsh — original clothing, unmatted plush, intact features and no moth damage. Replaced eyes and re-stitched seams are common and should be disclosed. Early Disney and Raggedy Ann items are the strongest sellers. Later 1970s and 1980s licensed plush is plentiful and worth relatively little.