Rare Tiny Brother Early Steiff 5xJointed WHITE Jocko Chimpanzee (not Monkey!) 2 IDs

This is the smaller of the two fully jointed white Jockos. They were made in two series, whose total production time was between 1949 and 1961. This cute little ape is from the earlier series, made between 1949 and 1958; his article number was 5310. Because Jocko’s flag is attached by a raised script button, it is likely that he was not made earlier than 1951.

Jocko’s flag is tattered and worn, and, because the printing is somewhat smudged, I am guessing it got wet at some point. Despite the wear and smudging, there is some information still recognizable on the flag—Jocko’s fabric content on the button side and half of Jocko’s article number on the back. You can see that it was a short number, ending in “10.” You know the “0” is the last number because of its location well in from the right side of the flag since the number was centered.

The flag has torn around the button somewhat, but the button is still very secure. Despite the less-than-perfect condition of the flag, both of the button’s prongs are curled tightly in the felt. On felt ears (and feet) such a secure button attachment is often lacking.

The “10” in Jocko’s number indicates his catalogued size. That is a bit misleading, because unlike a fully jointed small Original Teddy bear, who, with patience, can be made to stand up, all the Jockos, not only this one (see several others in my shop), are meant to be displayed seated. You can extend their legs from their bent-at-the-knee position you usually find them in, but they can’t stand on their own. If you still want to know Jocko’s “height,” he is, indeed, about 10 cm. long as he is stretched out in the prone position on my palm in my tenth image, around 4 inches. That is the measurement to his ankles, since the presumption would be that if he COULD stand, his feet would extend forward at right angles from his ankles.

You do have some choices in how to display Jocko in a sitting position. You can straighten out his legs or bend them more, and you can vary his posture from erect to bent forward. You probably want to allow him vertical clearance of 5 or 6 inches, just so he won’t looked cramped.

I am showing you some non-standard poses as well, to demonstrate that, despite Jocko’s possible 70-plus years, he retains the athletic prowess from his youth. 😉 It would probably be difficult to maintain, in your vitrine, the gymnastic split and headstand poses I am showing you in my next to last image, but you can experiment with some of your own.

Now comes the best part, although you have seen it already in my pictures. Jocko has some overall wear, but this hardly shows except upon close scrutiny. That is because his underlying fabric and his mohair are the same wonderful SNOW WHITE. His felt parts are truly amazing as well. Not only is his “skin” color a deep rosy orange (slightly pinker than what I often call “ripe cantaloupe”), but the airbrushed accents that decorate the felt are phenomenal (and don’t miss that cute little dab of rose on his behind)!

I have no problem saying that Jocko is in excellent condition, although you might want to add a “plus” to that. 😉 I am giving you an absolute rating, not the meaningless “for his age,” but DESPITE his age—which I have said could be more than 70.

I can’t think of anything else to tell you, put please write if you have a question. Jocko has several relatives in my shop, although he is the only white one. Among the brown ones is Jocko’s same size tiny brother, who is even older than he is (which I know because of his really early flag). While you are in a Jocko frame of mind, I hope you will consider the others—among whom you’ll find a puppet!

WHATEVER YOU DECIDE TO DO ABOUT JOCKO OR ANY OF MY OTHER STEIFF ITEMS, PLEASE BE SURE TO SEE THE ARTICLE I HAVE WRITTEN ABOUT STEIFF ID FRAUD—INCLUDING COUNTERFEIT CHEST TAGS—(AND OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR COLLECTORS). YOU WILL FIND THE LINK ON THE BOTTOM RIGHT OF MY SHOP HOME PAGE UNDER “FAVORITE LINKS.” IF YOU HAVE NOT LOOKED AT IT RECENTLY, I UPDATED AND EXPANDED IT IN MARCH, 2023.