For those not familiar with these lovely vintage figurines, Josef Originals figurines began production in the 1940s when designer Muriel Joseph George began producing the Josef dolls.  In 1965, after manufacturing Josef figurines in California since 1945, production of the figures moved to Japan.  Since Muriel retired in 1982, the company has changed hands several times.  Originally sold to Muriel's partner, George Good, the company was sold again to Southland Corporation (which later changed its name to Applause).  Ownership of the brand was subsequently sold to Dakin in 2004.

The only Josef figurines still made (I believe) are the birthday dolls set (also known as the birthday angels or birthday girls) offering figurines between newborn and age twenty one, and the wedding set (bride and groom, ring bearer, and flower girl).  Other series of figurines that we have seen on the internet produced under the Josef Original name include the Doll of the Month Series, the large and little International Series, the Four Seasons Series, the Make Believe Series, the Gibson Girls, the Romance Series, the Housekeepers Series, the Colonial Days Series, and the Birthstone dolls.

In addition to girl and lady figurines, Josef Originals also produced a set known as the Wee Folk, a number of animal figurines including bears, owls, dogs, cats, kittens, frogs, elephants, birds, kangaroos, rabbits and a few different mouse figurines, music box figurines, salt and pepper shakers, and lipstick holders.