Tropico Diffusion was a European giftware maker that brought famous cartoon characters to life. The company worked under licenses from both small and big rights holders. It produced statues, clocks, trays, money boxes, and more—always with a vintage charm.
The most popular line, Avenue of the Stars, won over collectors by blending decoration with function. Even though production ended, these items keep rising in value and remain sought after across the world.
History of Tropico Diffusion
Tropico Diffusion started in Paris in 1986 as a registered trademark. Over the years, it created several trademarks, with Avenue of the Stars and Funky Bears® standing out. Avenue of the Stars became the flagship line and later inspired the Funky Bears® brand.
Trademark records show some activity as late as 2020. Yet, all signs suggest production stopped around 2018. Funky Bears® seems to have been the last new launch.
We know little about the team behind the brand. Still, the company’s long run and wide output suggest a skilled and dedicated group drove its success.
Calimero Picture Frame
Licenses
For decades, Tropico Diffusion worked with some of the world’s top license holders. This is one reason their products are now highly collectible. Notable partners included:
- Coca-Cola
- Hanna-Barbera
- King Features
- Mediatoon Licensing
- Pagot
- Paws
- Peanuts Worldwide
- Turner Entertainment
- Walt Disney
- Warner Bros.
- And Much More
Avenue of the Stars
Today, merchandise from the Avenue of the Stars collection is highly coveted by collectors worldwide. Due to their fragile nature, many pieces have been damaged or destroyed over time, making items in excellent condition—especially with their original boxes—true treasures to find.
At Precious Collectibles, we specialize in sourcing these rare gems, which is why we proudly offer the world’s largest Avenue of the Stars collection with over 300 unique pieces. At Precious Collectibles, we focus on finding these rare items. We are proud to offer the world’s largest Avenue of the Stars collection, with more than 300 unique pieces. Even when items sell out, we work hard to restock them. The collection continues to grow.
Avenue of the Stars stood out for its variety. Other companies may have matched the number of licenses, but not the product range. The line went far beyond statues and figurines. It also featured clocks, cutlery, storage boxes, office supplies, snow globes, and music boxes.
Each piece was both decorative and useful. They were also made from strong materials that have lasted over time.
Funky Bears©
The first Funky Bears® appeared under the Avenue of the Stars name. Why this happened is still a mystery. Later, between 2014 and 2016, the brand became its own line. The toys were made from resin and polyfoam. The artist remains unknown.
Today, collectors value the unique design of every Funky Bear®. They are so popular that many makers have copied or reimagined them.
Tropico Diffusion, Where to Buy
Even though Tropico Diffusion has been retired for years, their collectibles can still be found. The higher the quality and the more specific the item you’re looking for, the harder it becomes to track down.
That’s where Precious Collectibles comes to your aid. We curate the world’s largest collection of vintage Tropico Diffusion collectibles, keeping our catalog up to date and expanding it frequently. When stock runs out, we work to bring items back for our customers.
A final word from Precious Collectibles
Tropico Diffusion left a strong mark on the world of collectibles. From the versatile Avenue of the Stars to the playful Funky Bears®, the brand continues to inspire.
Owning a piece of Tropico Diffusion means more than collecting. It means preserving a small part of art and design history that has stood the test of time.
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Droopy Secret Box$217.67 -
Garfield Wall Bracket$83.72 -
The Wolf and The Girl Desk Clock$279.06
