Vintage ‘Robertson’ Golli

Description

Vintage Robertson Golli that has seen better days.  Golli has been much loved, sitting in a sunny position, and therefore faded on the front.  There are holes in both hands where the fabric has thinned.  Golli is foam filled.  This type of Golli is associated with Robertson Jams & Preserves.  Golli measures 37cm in height.

British jam manufacturer James Robertson & Sons used a golliwog called Golly as its mascot from 1910, after John Robertson apparently saw children playing with golliwog dolls in the United States.  Robertson’s started producing promotional Golly badges in the 1920s, which could be obtained in exchange for tokens gained from their products. By the 1950s, the firm had incorporated the figure into the advertising campaign for its jams with the slogan “Golly! They’re Good”.

Patterns were also given away to make the Robertson Golly figure.  Some commercial companies also manufactured versions.