Obituary: Lynn Pressman Raymond
By Staff -- Playthings, 7/24/2009 9:12:00 AM
NEW YORK—Lynn Pressman Raymond, former president of Pressman Toy, passed away on July 22 at age 97.
Pressman Raymond served as president of the company for nearly 20 years, succeeding her husband, Jack Pressman, the founder of the company.
“At a time when few women entered the ranks of executives, Lynn ran the toy company in her own flamboyant and one-of-a-kind style. Known for her lavish parties, Mr. John hats, as well as her business acumen, no one ever came close to her style and panache,” according to a company statement.
Born Lynn Rambach, Pressman Raymond married Jack Pressman in 1942, 20 years after he started his toy and game company. Within five years, Pressman had dissolved his business partnership with Max Eibetz and appointed Pressman Raymond vice president of the company.
While vice president, Pressman Raymond is credited with the idea for the company’s popular Doctor Bag, a kit released in 1956 that was designed to help children overcome fear of doctors. The product was so popular it prompted Pressman to manufacture a Nurse Bag and, in 1962, Mattel-licensed Ken and Barbie doctor and nurse bags.
Following Jack Pressman’s death in 1959, Pressman Raymond took over as company president, becoming one of only a handful of female executives in the toy business. Under her leadership, Pressman Toy became an early adopter of television as a means of promotion for games.
Pressman Raymond's son James (Jim) Pressman has run the company as president since 1979. Her other son, Ed Pressman, is a noted film producer.
Pressman Raymond attended the 2009 Toy Industry Hall of Fame induction ceremony to accept the award on behalf of her late husband.
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