Toby Simkin Teddy Bear Collection

North American Bear Co - Lauren Bearcall (c. 1975) {20 inch Red color} [from Washington D.C., USA]The Teddy Bear Collection started in Washington DC in the mid-70’s when neighbor, Adrienne Mars gave me a gift of “Lauren Bearcall” when she heard that my personal treasured teddy passed down from my Mothers side of the family had been destroyed by my Father.

Additionally, around this time I was apparently showing interest in the entertainment business, having just seen Hello, Dolly! starring (and met backstage) Pearl Bailey at the Kennedy Centre.

North American Bear Co - Humphrey BeargartNorth American Bear Co - BearonskyMany years later, she sent me “Humphrey Beargart” and later still, the Russian “Bearonsky” — these 3 bears from the North American Bear Co. hold special place in my heart.

Every bear in our collection is hand made, typically of mohair, and curated carefully by us to add value to the collection of about 3,000 teddies in total.  We typically look for a local hand made teddy in cities we travel too, so the collection is truly global.

My favorite teddy bear?

Vintage Antique Elastoplast - Elastoplast (c. 1942) {8 inch Beige color} [from London, England]The Elasoplast antique bear made during World War II and put in a chemist shop window in London to both advertise the bandages, and soften the terrible blow of the blitz of German bombings in London for small children.

Hermann Teddy - Berlin Wall BearThe most valuable bear is likely the c.1912 Antique teddy from Southhampton (Titanic time), or the Hermann Berlin Wall bear with it’s curved paws to hang on the wall, with a piece of the Berlin Wall in it’s knapsack.

Merrythought - Princess DianaBut since they are highly collectible, it could also be the Merrythought Princess Diana white rose bear.

But we don’t collect for financial value (although it’s certainly an insurance consideration), we collect for the memories of travel, the joy of the cuteness, personality, artistry and the fun of it all.

🧸Learn about the crazy history of the Teddy Bear.

More of our Teddy Bear collection highlights

Steiff Teddy Bear Grey 36 c. 1999 9 inch Grey Purple color from London England Bedford Bears Red Black 9 inch Fire Red color from Covent Garden London England  Artist Cherry Bears Yanuk c. 2002 8 inch Creme color from Brisbane QLD Australia Artist Babysitter Bear in Wagon c. 1998 7 inch Gold color from Montclair NJ USA Artist Lani Hula Bear c. 1997 11 inch Beige color from Hawaii USA Artist Rare Bears Murray c. 1995 10 inch Beige color from Canberra ACT Australia Artist Whisty Bears Leonard c. 1999 12 inch Gold White color from London England Merrythought Mischief Bear c. 1999 7 inch Tan color from Ironbridge Shropshire England Artist Lori Poko Shell Bear c. 1997 2 inch Grey color from Hawaii USA Bedford Bears HRH Prince Charles c. Golden Jubilee 2002 10 inch Purple Golden color from Covent Garden London England Bedford Bears HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother c. Golden Jubilee 2002 14 inch Purple Lilac color from Covent Garden London England Bedford Bears HRH Prince William c. Golden Jubilee 2002 14 inch Red White Blue color from Covent Garden London England Bedford Bears HRH Princess Anne c. Golden Jubilee 2002 8 inch Purple Blonde color from Covent Garden London England Bedford Bears Adair Bear c. 1995 5 inch Blue color from London England Bedford Bears Cameron c. 1995 15 inch Gold color from Covent Garden London England Bedford Bears Teddy 41 5 inch Apricot Fawn color from Covent Garden London England Bedford Bears Pinkie 9 inch Red Grey color from Covent Garden London England Bedford Bears Jacob c. 1999 10 inch Blonde color from Covent Garden London England Bedford Bears Brownie 5 inch Fawn Black color from Covent Garden London EnglandMerrythought Bear Golly Bear c. 1998 9 inch Grey color from Heathrow EnglandMerrythought Prayer Bear c. 1999 7 inch Gold color from Ironbridge Shropshire England  Merrythought Beefeater Heritage c. 1995 16 inch Golden color from Internet SF USAArtist Phineas 14 inch Grey Black color from Whistler BC CanadaArtist Paddington Co. Paddington c. 1997 15 inch Creme color from Heathrow EnglandArtist Pat H Bears Ernie c. 2002 11 inch Black Grey color from Brisbane QLD AustraliaArtist Patti Cavenett Seruff c. 2000 8 inch Blue color from Surfers Paradise QLD AustraliaArtist Judy Farrugia Family Mei Mei Shi Shi c. 2000 10 inch 322 Black White Pink color from Canberra ACT AustraliaArtist Judy Farrugia Aussie Angel c. 2000 8 inch Brown color from Canberra ACT AustraliaArtist Eskimo Alaska Seal c. 2000 8 inch Creme color from Seward AK USAArtist Debbie McCombie Gramps c. 2000 10 inch Grey color from Mt Tamborine QLD AustraliaHermann Spielwaren Coburg Rapunzel LE c. 1998 12.6 inch Golden color from NJ USA Hermann Teddy Bear on Wheels c. 1996 7 inch Golden color from Giengen Germany Hermann Teddy Little Gem c. Rainbow 1999 Miniature 2 inch Multi color from Heathrow England Hermann Teddy Nightime Teddy c. 1999 11 inch Beige color from London EnglandSteiff - Winnie the Pooh (c. 2002) {6 inch Yellow color} [from New York City, NY, USA] Steiff Tailor c. Hausierer 2002 14 inch Grey color from Hamburg Germany Steiff Great White Way c. 1999 18 inch White color from NJ USA  Steiff Lavender Blue c. 2001 7 inch Lavender Blue color from New York City NY USA Steiff Poirot c. 2007 13 inch Black White color from Giengen GermanyVintage Antique Love c. 1912 14 inch Beige color from Portabello Road Market England Sigikid Tommy with Saxophone c. 1998 14 inch Gold color from New York City NY USA Sigikid Astronaught c. 1999 9 inch Gold color from GermanyDeans George c. 1995 9 inch Golden color from London EnglandEnglish Teddy Bear Co Marmaid c. 1998 11 inch Aqua color from London England

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