This coordinated pair of vintage advertising plush toys serves as a tactile time capsule of late-century Minnesota corporate history. The collection features two regional icons: a ten-inch Norwest Bank Koala and an eight-inch 1985 Minneapolis Star Tribune Bear. Each figure is dressed in its signature green company vest, featuring the original screen-printed logos that defined the Twin Cities' business landscape during the 1980s. These pieces represent a charming era of promotional "found-history," where corporate identities were brought to life through whimsical, approachable mascots.
The Norwest Bank Koala is in excellent condition, with its plush grey fur and "Norwest Banks" vest remaining vibrant and clean. The 1985 Star Tribune Bear is in very good condition, proudly displaying the "Single Copy Sales" logo from a landmark year in the newspaper's branding history. Together, these plush figures offer a grounded sense of nostalgia and local academic interest, making them a soulful find for collectors of banking memorabilia, newspaper ephemera, or those looking to add a touch of authentic "Space Age" regional charm to a curated shelf.
This set is vintage, over 40 years old.
