We are super excited to have the Mary Meyer collection here at Toy Street! Mary Meyer has a great range of soft toys for babies and young children. Today we’re taking a closer look at Mary Meyer in our first brand spotlight.

History

Mary Meyer herself (yes, she was a real person!) was born in New York in 1904. As a little girl, her mother taught her to sew, allowing her to fix up the family’s hats, blouses and pants. Her keen interest in fashion and style came from her father, who was the manager of one of the finest hotels in New York City.

She specialised in sewing at school, where she learned how to create pincushions in the shapes of animals. Before long, people were requesting their own animal pin cushions and from this the idea of stuffed toy animals was made.

In 1930, Mary Meyer and her husband decided to set up a business selling her most popular pieces. The Great Depression had left the USA in an economic crisis, yet the business still managed to thrive. Her husband Hans went on the road selling their range of toys and Mary would eagerly await to hear which products were the most popular, so she could make more of them.

In the early 1940s, the Meyer family moved to Vermont and set up a barn which eventually became their first toy factory. 80 years later, the Mary Meyer brand is still going strong, being one of the last American stuffed toy companies to move their production overseas.

Mary Meyer Today

Although the production of the Mary Meyer toys now happens outside America, the designs still continue to come from Vermont. With a product library of over 400 toys and over 80 years since the production of the first Mary Meyer toy, the business is still going strong.

The brand still has the family feel still at the heart of everything they produce, with Mary’s grandsons running the business to this day.

Our Top 5 Mary Meyer Toys

With such a wonderful range of teddies, toys, and blankets, it’s hard to narrow it down to just five! Here are our Top 5 Toys from Mary Meyer:

1. Grey Putty Elephant

We love Mary Meyer’s Putty toys. These are ultra-soft animal friends that little ones will love to cuddle. This adorable elephant has gently weighted feet and bum, weighing just over 300g. He’ll be a lovely, fluffy friend for your little one for years to come.

2. Giraffe Baby Mat

This baby mat makes the ultimate baby shower gift! Who can resist this cute giraffe with luxuriously soft fabric? Plus it’s machine-washable – a godsend for any new parents! The underside of the mat features durable fabric that is made to last, while the whole mat is foldable for easy travel.

3. Taggies Sherbet Lamb Character Blanket

Mary Meyer’s Taggies range was born when a mother noticed her baby’s fascination with satin tags on clothing. This beautiful blanket features soft, satin loops that provide great tactile stimulation for babies. They can also be super calming – especially when combined with such cute little characters, like this Sherbet Lamb. This Taggies blanket is small and lightweight, perfect for taking out and about to comfort baby on the go.

4. Lexi Llama Cuddly Toy

Llamas are all the rage these days and it isn’t hard to see why. This fun, fluffy llama toy has super-soft fur with embroidered eyes and smile. She comes in cream and blush with a funky woven collar.

5. Ella Bella Wubbanub Pacifier

Wubbanubs are a core part of the Mary Meyer range. A Wubbanub is like a dummy or pacifier combined with a cute cuddly toy. Made from medical-grade silicone, the pacifier is free of latex, BPA, PVC, and Phthalate. Meanwhile, the plush toy is super soft and easy for baby to grasp. With cute characters like Ella Bella, it’s no wonder Wubbanubs are so popular.