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Fluffy stuffed animals - and vegetables - in Jersey have been warned that they may be breaking copyright rules by trying to mimic the work of the island's most famous anonymous road artist, Toysie.
For years, islanders driving from St. John to St. Mary have enjoyed the work of the enigmatic creator, who leaves toys in the nook of a tree off the main road connecting the parishes.
Angry birds, green dinosaurs and pink hippos have all greeted motorists travelling between the parishes, bringing a shot of cheer and colour to an otherwise very tree-lined and field-based journey.
This week, Sylvester the Cat held the prestigious honour of being the arboreally-situated sentry.
No one has ever witnessed the changing of the toy guard, which only adds to the value and esteem of the obscure Toysie’s oeuvres.
Pictured: A bone fide Toysie original: Sylvester the Cat (species: Sufferin' succotash) guarding the main road in St. John.
However, other toys are now understood to be lodging themselves in trees around the island, in effort to mimic Toysie and his works of art.
Recently, a Brussel sprout was seen climbing into a tree in St. Martin, and a floppy dog had to be rescued from Pont Marquet after being stuck on a branch.
Another toy put himself forward for auction as a Toysie original, before shredding a copy of the Hungry Caterpillar, seconds after the successful bid was accepted.
Now, the authorities have stepped in to warn members of the island’s toy community not to copy the work of the internationally acclaimed Toysie.
IMPOSTER: This smiling Brussel sprout in St. Martin is not a Toysie original and has put herself in danger.
Toy community leader Sheriff Woody Pride said: “I’m afraid Toysie’s satirical main-road art and subversive emigramic depictions of the cartoon world are not for copying by a pale vegetable whose stuffing is the dog’s next meal.”
Fire Chief Pugh, who along with his brother Pugh, Barney McGrew, Cuthbert, Dibble and Grubb from the Trumpton Fire and Rescue Service, added: “Toys will be toys but I am tired of rescuing bears, unicorns and hapless Muppets from branches all over Jersey.
“Leave cheery tree-based greetings to the experts!”
IMPOSTER 2: This hound in St. Brelade is trying to have fun but discrediting the work of an important artist. And he could get stuck.
However, one senior member of the toy community, Old Mother Hubbard, defended the actions of the young, cuddly playthings.
”They’re just trying to have fun and emulate their hero, Toysie,” she said. “The older toys like Bagpuss and Optimus Prime need to get back in their box and let the young ones flourish.”
