This brightly coloured Mary Lou is a classic Kiwiana toy made from wood. She has flexible arms and legs so young children can easily hold them and play with them.
She is from the Buzzy Bee stable and both have been around since the 1940's. Both toys were originally developed by entrepreneur Maurice Schlesinger in the early 40s. During this era there were war-time restrictions on imports into New Zealand, including importing childrens' toys. So Maurice started to make wooden toys from offcuts of old furniture pieces. Hence the shapes of both the Mary Lou doll and the Buzzy Bee body.
The Mary Lou Doll is a safe wooden toy made with non-toxic paint. With her string hanger she can also be held from the top of the head for moving and pretend dancing. Great also to hang from a stroller so she doesn't get lost.
Mary Lou measures 185mm tall x 135 arm span and she makes a lovely gift for a young child.