Comments on: Steiff Find of the Week – Jocko the Chimp

By: Vincent

Vincent — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 20:22:59 +0000

Thanks. I’m moving soon and have him packed already, but going by my memory, the tag looks like the one on the 1960-1972 elephant on the link you posted (except it says Jocko instead of Jumbo). I did not realize the button was supposed to hold a yellow tag. The button is just a round silver ear tag with the Steiff name in script, far as I recall. Thanks for the help.

By: Steiffgal

Steiffgal — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 20:53:28 +0000

I am sorry to hear that the house was violated. That’s awful.

As for the puppet, if you describe what the button and the chest tag look like, I can give you somewhat of a range of his production timeline.

Go here to get some general guidelines for your description. http://www.steiffnews.com/history_steiff_button.htm

Best, Steiffgal

By: Vincent

Vincent — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 19:30:28 +0000

Is there a way to date my Jocko?

My grandmother was a doll collector but her house was ransacked after she died and the only thing I have now is a Jocko hand puppet. He still has the ear button and the paper tag hooked by thread just under his neck. he’s in great shape but there’s no date that I can see. I saw a photo online of one that had what looked like a plastic or ceramic finger hollow inside the head but mine has a cardboard tube if that helps.

By: Steiffgal

Steiffgal — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 19:33:54 +0000

Hi all,

In regards to the puppet you discuss above, it is easy to see why you might think he was made by Steiff, given his name and his monkey design!

However, Glenda and Leon’s puppet, which has a solid brown composition head, simple face with black eyes, glove like tan hands, and a soft brown cloth body, was made by a different company and is actually called JOCK-O, which is probably how his manufacturer avoided trademark infringement. He came in a small brown box, which was labeled “The Genuine JOCK-O The Life Of The Party.” This JOCK-O puppet was produced around 1938, so the timeline that Glenda and Leon share with it makes perfect sense.

Thank you for your comments and visiting Worthpoint!

Best,
Rebekah Kaufman
Steiff Worthologist

By: Glenda Capps Allen

Glenda Capps Allen — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 18:48:14 +0000

Hi Leon,

I’m disappointed no one responded to your question here… I have the same Jocko with the plaster head. It belonged to my dad who was born in 1931, so I assume it is, like yours, from the late 30s. I can’t find anything ref a Jocko like this, only the soft material headed guys. I don’t want to sell him, but was curious how much the little guy is worth. He’s entertained 3 generations of my family & since my dad died in 1974 he’s utterly priceless to me. But still it’d be fun to know.

By: Leon Noble

Leon Noble — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 02:11:36 +0000

I have a finger hand held puppet, with JOCKO and Trademark
imprinted on the back of the head. The hand part seems to
be made of cotton and is the color brown with white hand
parts. The head seems to be made of a plaster of some type.
It is painted brown with a white face.
I can remember my dad entertaining me with it on his hand
back in the 1940s.
Would like to find out more about it and what it would be worth and would it be a collectible.
LN>

By: Carolyn O'Bayley

Carolyn O'Bayley — Wed, 19 May 2010 20:24:28 +0000

Rebekah
Another wonderful article. It is just jam packed with information. And the pictures!! You are so right, although alike, each has their own adorable monkey face!! Thank you very much for sharing your extensive knowledge.