He lives in a trash can. He’s covered in matted green fur. He’s perpetually in a bad mood, and yet, for some reason, we all want to take him home and squeeze him. The oscar sesame street plush is a weird phenomenon in the toy world. Most plushies are designed to be sweet, inviting, and soft. Oscar the Grouch is designed to be the exact opposite, yet since the 1970s, he has been one of the most consistent sellers in the Jim Henson licensed universe.
He's iconic.
But if you’re looking to buy one today, or if you found a dusty one in your parents' attic, you've probably noticed something. They don't all look the same. Some are neon green. Others are a murky, forest shade. Some have legs, while others are permanently fused to a silver fabric cylinder. This isn't just random manufacturing; it’s a decades-long history of licensing deals between Sesame Workshop and toy giants like Hasbro, Mattel, and Gund.
The Orange Problem and Other Design Quirks
Did you know Oscar wasn’t always green? If you find a vintage oscar sesame street plush that looks orange, don’t assume it’s sun-bleached or a knock-off. In the very first season of Sesame Street in 1969, Oscar was actually orange. Jim Henson changed him to green for season two because the camera technology of the time made the orange fur look a bit muddy on screen.
Collectors hunt for the orange variants. They are the "holy grail" for Sesame Street historians. Most modern versions produced by brands like Gund or Fisher-Price stick to the classic swampy green. Gund, in particular, has mastered the "shaggy" texture. Their current 10-inch take on the character uses a long-pile polyester fiber that mimics the slightly unkempt look of the actual Muppet puppet. It’s supposed to look a little messy. If it looks too groomed, it’s just not Oscar.
Why Quality Varies So Much
Buying a plush today is a bit of a minefield because of the different tiers of licensing. You have the "boutique" collectors' items and then you have the "mass-market" toys meant to be chewed on by toddlers.
Take the Gund Sesame Street Take-Along Oscar. It’s usually priced under $15. It’s soft, it’s floppy, and it’s great for a three-year-old. But if you look at the eyes, they are often heat-transferred or made of simple felt. Contrast that with the older Knickerbocker versions from the 1970s and 80s. Those had hard, plastic "googly" eyes that actually felt like the character.
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There's a specific tactile satisfaction in the vintage stuff. The Knickerbocker Toy Company held the license early on, and their Oscar plushies are famous for having a "wire frame" inside. This allowed kids to actually "retract" Oscar into his trash can. It was genius. Modern versions often skip the wire because of updated safety regulations regarding choking hazards and sharp points. You lose the functionality, but you gain peace of mind that a kid won't get poked by a stray metal shard.
Honestly, the "trash can" is the most debated part of the design. Some fans hate the plushies where the can is sewn to his body. It feels restrictive. The best versions—like the ones occasionally released for anniversaries—allow you to remove Oscar entirely.
Spotting a Fake vs. a Rare Vintage
How do you know if that oscar sesame street plush on eBay is worth the $50 asking price?
Check the tush tag.
If the tag says Applause, you’re looking at a mid-range collectible from the 1990s. They were known for having slightly more "stiff" stuffing, making them better for display shelves than for sleeping with. If the tag says Playskool, it was likely a "rough play" toy from the Hasbro era. These are durable as heck. You can throw them in a washing machine on a cold cycle, and they’ll come out looking brand new.
One thing to watch out for is the "bootleg" market. Because Sesame Street is globally recognized, there are thousands of unlicensed plushies coming out of factories that don't follow safety standards. Real Oscar plushies will always have a Sesame Workshop or Muppets, Inc. copyright on the tag. If the eyes look slightly "off-center" or the fur feels like cheap doll hair that sheds when you touch it, it’s a fake.
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And let’s talk about the eyebrows. Oscar’s expression is defined by that heavy, brown, unibrow-style fur. On high-quality plushies, this is a separate piece of fabric sewn on to create a "shelf" over the eyes. On cheap versions, it’s just printed on or skipped entirely. Without the brow, he just looks like a confused lime.
The Psychology of the Grouch
Why do we buy these for kids? Or for ourselves?
Psychologists often point out that Oscar represents a safe way for children to explore "negative" emotions. While Elmo is pure sunshine and Abby Cadabby is all magic, Oscar is... well, he's a jerk. But he’s a lovable one. Owning an oscar sesame street plush is like a badge of honor for people who aren't "morning people."
For adults, the nostalgia factor is huge. There is a massive market for the Eden Gifts line from the late 90s. These were high-end, often sold in department stores rather than big-box retailers. They used a specific type of bean-bag weighting in the bottom so Oscar could sit upright on a desk. I’ve seen these go for double their original retail price because the "hand feel" is so much better than the hollow, polyester-filled versions you find at grocery stores today.
Caring for Your Grouch
If you’ve got a vintage Oscar, do not—I repeat, do not—throw him in the dryer.
Plush fur is essentially plastic. High heat will "fry" the tips of the fibers, leading to a texture known as "dryer burn." It makes the fur feel scratchy and matted. If your oscar sesame street plush gets dirty, spot clean him with a damp cloth and a tiny bit of Dawn dish soap. If he’s truly filthy, put him in a pillowcase, tie it shut, and run him on a delicate, cold cycle. Then, let him air dry.
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Brush him out with a wide-tooth comb once he’s dry. It sounds ridiculous to brush a trash-dwelling Muppet, but it keeps the "shaggy" look from turning into a solid carpet of tangles.
What to Look for Right Now
If you are looking to start a collection or just want the best version for a gift, keep these specific models in mind:
- The Gund 10-inch Oscar: This is the current gold standard for "cuddliness." It’s widely available and uses the softest materials currently allowed by law.
- The 1970s Knickerbocker: Look for the one with the "PVC" trash can. It’s a piece of history.
- The Funko Pop! Plush: These are stylized with massive heads. Not great for hugging, but they look cool on a bookshelf.
- The Sesame Street "Friends" line: These are smaller (around 6 inches) and are perfect for travel or for sticking in a car cupholder.
The market for Sesame Street memorabilia is only growing as the original "Sesame Generation" enters their 50s and 60s. We want our grandkids to play with the same grumpy green guy we did. Just make sure you’re checking the stitching. A well-made Oscar should last for decades.
Actionable Steps for Collectors
If you're serious about finding a high-quality oscar sesame street plush, start by identifying your goal. Are you looking for a toy for a child, or a nostalgic piece for display?
For a child, prioritize machine-washable labels and embroidered eyes to avoid choking hazards. Brands like Playskool and the modern Hasbro lines are built for this.
For a collector, head to secondary markets like eBay or Etsy and search for "vintage Knickerbocker Oscar" or "Eden Sesame Street plush." Always ask the seller for a photo of the tush tag to verify the year and manufacturer. Avoid any listing that uses "stock photos" instead of pictures of the actual item. Check for "smoke-free home" descriptions, as old plush material absorbs odors like a sponge. Once you receive your plush, use a handheld vacuum attachment to remove dust before displaying him in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent his iconic green fur from fading into a sickly yellow.