Tuesday, 24 April 2012

Real Soft Toys

I found this maker by accident whilst looking around a bootsale.
A big white fluffy toy cat caught my eye and on impulse I bought him.
When I got him home and set about brushing and cleaning him I found a label saying he was made by Real Soft Toys.
Snowy - SOLD
He had the most beautiful expressive eyes and a nice shaped nose which appealed to me so I started looking for more information on this maker. 
Real Soft Toys was a factory in Watford, England.  They were taken over by Lefray in 1980, so any animals by them are 1970's or earlier.

The cat who I named Snowy was a hit with my customers so I searched for more of these toys.
Here are the ones that I have found, some are available on my website and in my Etsy shop, some have found new homes and I still have one or two still to be brushed to bring out their full beauty.
Ginger Tom SOLD

Simba SOLD

Tom Kitten SOLD

Jet SOLD
Yorkie in Boot

I have another Yorkie (see below), and I've managed to get another Tom Kitten and Simba too.  Then there is a RST bear.  I have not had one of the bears before and will be interested to see what response I get from my customers.  The cats and dogs seem to be quite collectable, but not sure if the bears will be as popular.


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24 comments:

  1. soft toys2 May 2012 at 23:45

    cute puppy toy,kids love these character and these type of toy blanket make them happier,I think these type of toys are perfect for kids,parents should buy these type of sophisticated and soft toy for kids.

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  2. jobster1 December 2012 at 02:54

    We have a three of these, A pure white teddy "Snowy" a golden brown teddy,"Joe Louis" (After the boxer, he has large paws!) and Jeddy Allocious Dare a distinguished grey teddy(cant remember why!)

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    Replies
    1. SeekingMog5 July 2016 at 13:31

      Does the grey tabby have black eyes? X

      Delete
    2. SeekingMog5 July 2016 at 13:31

      Does the grey tabby have black eyes? X

      Delete
  3. Unknown30 December 2014 at 14:46

    I have a cat my grandad brought me off a bootsale as a child.. He was my favourite and went everywhere I did.. Is there anyway I can find out more info on him? He has a tag that says real soft toys, Watford Herts. And on the other side a elephant picture

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    Replies
    1. Polly31 December 2014 at 04:19

      Hello Sammey,
      The firm was founded in 1969 by R. M. Francis & Son. The factory was on an industrial estate in Watford. As well as the cats they made dogs, bears and occasionally other animals. There are two different labels, both with Real Soft Toys on one side. One has an elephant and the other a Union Jack Flag.
      They were taken over by Lefray Toys in the 1980's.
      I know of 3 different cat designs - sitting, pouncing, and lying on it's back. I have seen a ginger, white and Siamese style in the smaller size and a large Ginger Tom and white cat in a sitting position. I also had a lying down large white cat (the first I found).
      If you go to my website www.etsy.com/shop/PollysVintageBears I have a few for sale on there.
      I hope this helps,
      Pauline

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    2. SusieQ17 December 2024 at 00:10

      Hi pauline, today, down at the local op-shop, a beautiful big life-size black cat caught my eye. He was in the sitting position, has a red collar with a bell on. I was delighted to see that he was made in England, Watford Herts :) I snapped him up for $5 AU. I'm going to keep my eyes open for the white or tabby one now as, along with black, they are the 3 colours of my real cats!

      Delete
  4. Unknown14 January 2015 at 23:48

    Hi Pauline thanks for getting back to me. Iv just looked in your shop on etsy and you have one very similar to mine. Mine sits like your Siamese cats but is ginger with what looks like suede ears. He's not as fluffy as the ginger one you have - although that could be from neglect. It's odd to know my beloved childhood kitty is older than me..

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  5. Bailey5 July 2015 at 15:53

    The founders of Real Soft Toys were Mike and Lynn Francis. Two of the nicest people in my life. The handed over their business to their son Nck who sold it in the 80s. My Father Reginal Bailey was their designer and the creator of those wonder bears.
    I'm proud of all he's accomplished he continues to design at the nice age of 81.

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    Replies
    1. Polly6 July 2015 at 08:20

      Hello Bailey,
      Thank you so much for that piece of information. If you have seen my Etsy shop you will see that I mainly have the cats on there. They are becoming very collectable now.

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    2. Unknown30 July 2017 at 05:47

      Hi Bailey,
      I can't believe your Dad was a teddy designer! That's so lovely! What an amazing thing to do!
      My twin sister and I were born in '77 and we were given a pink dog, a white dog, and a blue and white elephant when we were babies. We have loved them so much all of our lives, and we've always tried to find more of their family! I just wondered if you could help at all please? They are all shaped like beans with two legs, they apparently came in tubes. I don't know if you'll get this message, but thank you to your Dad for bringing us so much joy and love :)
      Best wishes,
      Gilly
      gillygraver@yahoo.com

      Delete
  6. Unknown20 February 2016 at 01:58

    Hi, I have a large elephant from real soft toys with original label. I can't see to find any others quite like this one. I received it as a birthday gift in 1980. Any ideas where I can look? Thanks in advance

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    Replies
    1. Polly20 February 2016 at 11:15

      Hello Dene, I have seen as blue and white elephant on EBay,and a pink and white one on Google images. Those are all I have seen though.
      Pauline

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    2. Polly20 February 2016 at 11:15

      Hello Dene, I have seen as blue and white elephant on EBay,and a pink and white one on Google images. Those are all I have seen though.
      Pauline

      Delete
    3. Unknown26 February 2021 at 08:09

      I have a purple elephant with white on the inner ears and white on bottom of feet. My elephant has been with me 38 years now .

      Delete
  7. MON Yorkshire26 April 2016 at 11:57

    We have had a soft toy bear from new, still looks new, since 1979.
    Not seen one as large, ours is about 1 metre tall.

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  8. SeekingMog5 July 2016 at 13:29

    Hi, have you ever came across a grey tabby cat made by this company. I was given one as a child in the 90's from my aunt (she received it as a present in 1974) been desperately trying to find another one for the past 10 years xx

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  9. SeekingMog5 July 2016 at 13:37

    Hi, have you ever came across a grey tabby cat made by this company. I was given one as a child in the 90's from my aunt (she received it as a present in 1974) been desperately trying to find another one for the past 10 years xx

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    Replies
    1. Polly11 July 2016 at 08:38

      Take a look in my Etsy shop www.etsy.com/shop/PollysVintageBears I have one that is a greyish brown tabby.
      Pauline

      Delete
  10. Unknown30 July 2017 at 05:46

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  11. MickH14 September 2019 at 12:22

    Hi Polly. I have a grey cat but I had to put it in the loft when I inherited a real live moggy Tilly who hated that grey cat . I had the Tilly for 20 years but she as just passed away. So my grey cat as come down from the loft and back into the bedroom.

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  12. Bill & Jenn27 September 2021 at 15:58

    We came into possession of a Soft Toys cheetah that is approximately 1 meter high. I can find nothing about when or how many of these were produced and what the value might be. Do you have any suggestion as to where we might find this information?
    Thanks!
    Bill & Jenn

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  13. fatimashaikh11 February 2022 at 00:58

    plush toy A very awesome blog post. We are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approaches after visiting your post.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Unknown27 February 2022 at 09:02

    I have a large blue and white elephant bought 50 years ago. The label has the elephant picture on one side. The bear is immaculate as well

    ReplyDelete

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