DADS TEDDY BEAR

by Jackie Welland
(Ottery St Mary Devon England)

Dad was born on 23rd January 1904 at Chiddingfold Surrey.On his 4th birthday (1908) he was given this Teddy Bear by a lady who lodged with his parents. As I understand it she was called Miss Hookway and was a teacher at Chiddingfold C of E school, her home was in Appledore Devon..She would travel by train between Devon and Surrey via London and she bought Teddy during one of her trips..Dad treasured this Teddy all his life. It is one of my earliest childhood memories (I’m 81yrs) seeing it sat on the corner of the wardrobe in my parents bedroom I was never allowed to touch it, although I do remember at “spring cleaning” time when he came down from his perch was maybe the one time I handled him...Dad lived to be one month short of his 93rd birthday and Teddy was always with him, after Mum died and Dad went into a home Teddy of course went too and sat on top of a cupboard until Dad passed away in 1996 since when I have looked after him although he has since been wrapped in tissue paper and kept in a draw,..I’ve tried numerous times to find out his origin without success. I’ve even received silly replies like “it’s a US bear circa about 1920” as if Dad would have had a Teddy at 16yrs old...I know at one time he had a little white label on his foot and I seem to remember it had “Made in Saxony” written in blue, whether this is my imagination I’m not sure but why it sticks in my mind I don’t know...Teddy does not have any of the recognised trade marks of a Stieff bear ie no ear button,extra long arms, humpy back or a seam running from his nose over the top of his head, he does have black boot-button eyes and jointed limbs and a sweet little face, he’s a out15 inches tall...considering his age he’s in reasonable condition, he did escape our cottage fire in 1969 with only slight smoke damage...Myself and family are not really interested in selling him although some idea of valuation would be interesting

I’m enclosing a couple of photographs, one with my own very much love and care worn Teddy, not in such good condition as Dads!! Mine is circa 1939 I think, I was born in January of that year and with World War 2 starting in September I would thinkTeddies weren't easily available after that date
If you are able to throw any light on Dads Teddy that would be lovely...I look forward to hearing from you when you have time..thank you Yours Jackie Welland

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