Character doll:Popeye Tinkle Bell

In the 1960s, Gund released chime dolls featuring many different Disney characters. Known for their roly poly shape, giving these toys a shake triggers their chime. The Gund Manufacturing Company began in 1898, founded by Adolph Gund, an immigrant from Germany. Located in New York City, Gund?s company at first specialized in artificial flowers, beads, and gifts, but it soon concentrated on satisfying the growing market of soft fabric toys including teddy bears. In 1907, Gund hired 12-year old Jacob Swedlin, a Russian immigrant, to work in the mailroom. In less than 20 years, Swedlin purchased the company at Gund?s retirement. The company remained a Swedlin family business for several decades until it was purchased in 2008 by Enesco, an international corporation specializes in gifts and home decorations. The donation of the Gund archives includes plush toys representing the company?s 100 years of toy making.