French Teddy Bears
French Teddy Bears It was not until 1919 that the first mohair Teddy Bear came from France. This Teddy Bear was produced by a company called Pintel. Marcel Pintel first began producing stuffed toys (les jouets bourres) for his Father’s firm in Paris in 1913. The first ‘Pintel’ Teddies, however, were infact rather delicate, firmly [...]
Teddy Bears by Chad Valley
Teddy Bears by Chad Valley In 1850, two brothers, Joseph and Alfred Johnson, began a business together in George Street, Birmingham, the business was called Johnson Brothers. The speciality of the business was mainly in stationery. However, in 1897, Joseph Johnson, who by this time was running the business with his son, moved to new [...]
Teddy Bears in Advertising
Teddy Bears in Advertising Almost since the Teddy Bears birth back in 1902, the Teddy Bear has been making his mark in the field of advertising. You really don’t have to travel very far these days before you see that familiar smiling face of the Teddy Bear staring back at you from a shop window [...]
Why Birthday Teddy Bears are So Special
Why Birthday Teddy Bears are So Special When it comes to birthday teddy bears, it’s not about the money involved in buying the teddy bear, but the love symbolized through giving a teddy bear to someone who is important to you. Teddy bears have long been a symbol of comfort and love. Let’s face it—how [...]
Taking Care of Your Teddy Bear
Taking Care of Your Teddy Bear When you invite a teddy bear into your life, he will immediately become your best friend, companion and confidante and in return all your teddy bear asks for is a little Tender Loving Care. When you buy an old teddy bear he will undoubtedly need some special care and [...]
Merrythought Teddy Bears
Merrythought Teddy Bears The first Merrythought Teddy Bear did not leave the factory until 1930 but the history of Merrythought certainly goes back further. Somewhere back in 1919, W G Holmes (the present Managing Director’s grandfather), went into partnership with Mr G H Laxton opening a rather small mill in Yorkshire. Their idea was to [...]
Dean’s Teddy Bears
Dean’s Teddy Bears The now very famous British soft toy company, Dean’s Rag Book Company started as long ago as 1903. Based then in Merton, South London. To-day Dean’s is one of the oldest surviving toy companies in Britain. Dean’s was started in 1903 by Henry Samuel Dean, first making the now very famous and [...]
Teddy Bear Ephemera
Teddy Bear Ephemera Almost as soon as the Teddy Bear was born in 1902, Teddy Bear Ephemera was produced and started to flood the market, and was made in practically every kind of medium you can think of. Even before the birth of the Teddy, bears have always been popular. Teddy Bear items are now [...]
Displaying Teddy Bears
Displaying Teddy Bears So, you have now built up quite a hug of Teddy Bears and now you want to display them. Well, you certainly don’t have to spend lots of money on this. What I would suggest firstly is that you decide how you want them displayed. Many collectors want to put all their [...]
Blue Bear Plush
Blue Bear Plush Blue bear plush toys are generally reserved for celebrating the birth of little boys, but there’s no hard and fast rule that says little girls can’t have blue bear plush as well. Soft toys shouldn’t have a gender distinction given everyone’s personal tastes are different. In North America, black bear populations are [...]