Teddy Bear
Teddy Bear
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US $5.50
Modern / Replica Teddy Bears
Most people when they hear of Teddy Bear Collecting, seem to automatically think of Old Bears, especially I suppose, after hearing all the talk in the news and other forms of media of Old Teddy Bears going to auction and fetching very large sums of money.
However, many teddy bear lovers and collectors do not have a single Old Bear in their hug, instead preferring some of the more modern teddy bears being produced. Of course, many of these modern Teddy Bears are Replica Teddy Bears of famous teddy bears from years gone by.
In the 1980's a number of soft toy companies started to produce Replica Teddy Bears. These bears are usually Limited Edition and are made to the same standards and patterns of the nostalgic original teddy bears. One major difference being, they are far less expensive to buy than their old, original counterparts. Such is the popularity of these Replica Teddy Bears today that they themselves are fetching high prices on the secondary market.
Replica Teddy Bears, when made by companies such as Steiff and Merrythought are usually very well presented, often packed in their own special boxes. These bears are also fully labelled and carry a certificate giving details of their Limited Edition number and some history details. It is most important if you own or collect these teddy bears that you keep (in mint condition) their box and certificate, as if these bears are sold at a later date, they will realise much more money if they have their original packaging and certificate.
The old British Teddy Bear makers, Merrythought, for example, produced a vast range of collector's teddy bears, making modern versions of their Cheeky Bears, Bobby Bruin, Bingie and Punkinhead Bears.
Steiff too, have produced lots of their famous teddy bears, including Teddy Clowns, which was first introduced to the market in 1925. They produced their first Limited Edition replicas in 1986 with a limited edition of 10,000.
Gebruder Hermann also produced replica teddy bears, including a replica of their 1930's teddy bear in 1994. Made in a limited edition of 2,000 this teddy bear carries all the charm of Hermann's early teddy bears.
Buying new teddy bears as opposed to older teddy bears is really down to personal choice, of course, and many collectors find that old and new teddy bears look rather good when displayed together as they get on rather well and so, they collect both.
There are times too, when a new teddy bear makes a more sensible buy, for example. If you are buying a teddy bear for a young child, what better gift than a new teddy bear, as then both the child and his teddy bear friend can indeed ‘grow' together and share all of life's new and exciting adventures. It is always wise, of course, if buying a teddy bear for such a gift that you get the best quality teddy bear you can afford.
The Teddy Bear will then not only last the child for his whole lifetime but also can be handed down as a family heirloom.
If you buy a new teddy bear for either yourself or for a gift, it is wise to take photographs of the teddy and his owner throughout their lives together, as one day this will certainly add wonderful provenance to the teddy bears history. It may also be worthwhile keeping a written diary of dates, etc.
However, we must not dismiss the old teddy bear, as not only do teddy bear lovers and collectors absolutely adore them but they also make rather romantic gifts.
So, owning a new or old teddy bear is your choice and whatever you decide on, it is important that you take your time in choosing the teddy bear, although more often than not, the teddy bear will choose you.
About the Author
Gino loves fast cars, especially fast italian cars. Gino also loves anything Italian. Gino also heads an old teddy bear site which is full of adorable old teddy bears and their friends.
Please visit his website at www.ginosbears.co.uk
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Teddy Bear $10 Teddy Bear |