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Teddy Bears |
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| There
are numerous stories about how the 'teddy bear' was created,
but one commonly heard is based in the USA. The story goes
that in 1903 the 26th president of the USA, Theodore Roosevelt,
went on a bear hunt during a visit to the states of Louisiana
and Mississippi, which turned out to be unsuccessful. His
hosts in an effort to please the president captured a bear
cub and bought it to the president for him to shoot. After
the president refused to shoot the cub the incident was
reported in the Washington Post newspaper. This article
was later captured in a political cartoon and published
in newspapers across the country to the nations delight!
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A Russian immigrant who operated a small novelty store
in New York, noticing the popularity of the small cartoon,
asked his wife to make a small stuffed bear to display
in their shop window. The bear sold immediately, and similar
bears were made and sold. Soon they caught the attention
of Butler Brothers and with their financial backing The
Ideal Novelty Toy Company was started.
Roughly
at the same time, the German manufacturer Steiff was introducing
a toy resembling a bear at the 1903 Leipzig Toy Fair.
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It was here where a big New York Toy Importer, Hermann
Borgford of George Borgford & Co. ordered 3,000 Steiff
bear.
The
teddy bear craze began…
In 1907 Steiff declared it the year of the bear - Bärenjahre!
By the mid 1910's there where many teddy bear companies
and many types of novelty teddy bears. Little
surprise then that by the early 1920's bears were starting
to become popular as illustrations for books, newspapers
and other literature. |
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The
first famous bear to come into existence was Rupert, finding
his start in the Daily Express newspaper in 1920 as a rival
to the Daily Mail's 'Teddy Tails'. Initially created by
Mary Tourtel, and later illustrated by Alfred Bestall and
other artists, the bear has had continued success. The Daily
Express Rupert League was formed in 1932, and the first
annual was produced in 1936. Rupert bear annuals are still
being published to this day, with Rupert still being popular
among every generation! |
Another
famous bear in the book world is Winnie-The-Pooh. Created
by A.A. Milne, but brought to live by Ernest Shepard,
this bear has delighted thousands! Starting in 1926 with
the publishing of 'Winnie-The-Pooh', and continuing with
the book 'The House At Pooh Corner' in 1928, Winnie-The-Pooh,
'although slightly stout and rather lacking in brains
was 'that' sort of bear that people loved. Along with
its two companion books, 'When We Were Very Young' and
'Now We Are Six', the books make a charming and valuable
collection. Interest was renewed in Winnie-The-Pooh when
Disney gave him a new look in their feature length film,
and accessories.
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And
finally, for the top three bears of the book world, we have
to think of a little bear complete with a suitcase containing
his precious marmalade supply and 'wearing a funny kind
of hat'. Originally created by Michael Bond in 1958, Paddington
bear was an instant hit. Illustrated by Peggy Fortnum, the
bear had his first success in 1958 with the book 'A Bear
Called Paddington'. Since then, Paddington has had numerous
adventures, with the eleven original stories being the most
collectable. Paddington went on to become a star not only
of books, but also stage, radio and television.
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Teddy
Bears have had continuing success throughout history. With
authors like Jane Hissey, Raymond Briggs and others featuring
them in the more modern book collections, they definitely
make a collectable classic! |
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