Diener Eraser Character Sets
Their size was itty bitty, but the fun they generated was enormous. Because they are so small and cute, the first Diener erasers were given the trademarked brand name Itty Bittys. By far the best-known Itty Bittys are the whimsical Charm Animals, an ever-changing group of about 35 “lovable pets” from land and sea, jungle and circus, farm and zoo. Production began in the late 1950s or early 1960s. Most Itty Bittys were about 1-3/4 inches tall, with smaller mini clones produced as Itty Bittys Juniors. Early versions were hand-painted on softer, bouncier rubber. Other sets of Itty Bittys personified the Christmas and Easter holidays with Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and more. Some Itty Bittys were marketed separately as circus animals or an aquarium assortment. In the 1960s, Diener also used the Itty Bittys brand name for its Flintstones erasers and unusual characters that have become rare collector’s items, including the Itty Bitty “Fings” (trolls), baby dolls, finger puppets and animal families. Itty Bittys were sold on blister cards or in open bins, allowing the shopper to pick out their favorites. Lucky children received them from dentists and teachers, or as giveaways from fast-food restaurants and other businesses. Their many colors span the whole rainbow.
Itty Bittys Charm Animals
Itty Bittys Charm Animals were the largest and most enduring of all the Diener erasers. They featured cute, stylized animals, sometimes wearing clothing. A few were based on inanimate objects. Many of these were released in a miniature version as part of the “Itty Bittys Juniors” line.
Itty Bittys Christmas Characters
Holiday fun comes in the form of Diener erasers shaped like Santa Claus, snowmen, elves, angels and reindeer. There’s even a festive Christmas tree. Diener served as Santa’s helper by providing great stocking-stuffers for decades.
Itty Bittys Easter Characters
Rabbits, chicks and ducks celebrate springtime as Diener’s Easter erasers. Some also appear in the Itty Bitty Charm Animals line, but true Easter bunnies carry and sit in Easter baskets. A pair of chicks hatch from an Easter egg to symbolize new life.
Itty Bittys Circus Characters
Circuses were big entertainment, so Diener jumped on the bandwagon by creating erasers that look like clowns and circus animals. The Itty Bittys circus line includes three unique characters: a clown balancing a ball, a clown head, and a circus horse rearing up with a feather headdress.
Itty Bittys Baby Dolls
Itty Bitty erasers began production during the Baby Boom era, so naturally they made babies. The Baby Dolls are among Diener’s rarest erasers, produced in the early 1960s.
