It seems that we all love teddy bears. Whether you have a sad and battered teddy from your childhood, or a modern one bought as a souvenir – few can resist the appeal of this ageless toy that has earned our love for over 100 years.

The Americans claim the teddy as their own. In 1903, a cartoon of President Theodore Roosevelt appeared. A keen hunter, he had refused to shoot a bear cub and the cartoon of the episode firmly established the link between bears and ‘Teddy’. But before Mr Roosevelt even considered loading his rifle, bears were being manufactured in Germany.

The German Steiff bears are possibly the best known bears with their distinctive button in the left ear. They were created by Margarette Steiff whose childhood had been overshadowed by Polio. She originally designed and made a range of animals, all with movable limbs. These zoo animals are rare and have now become extremely desirable. Her early bears had distinctive long limbs and a small hump to the back. Over the years, the design may have altered slightly, but two things remain – the high quality of manufacture and the distinctive button.

Collectors will pay small fortunes for some of the rarer bears, even with their often well-worn appearance. Teddies, it seems, are expected to be used, to be cuddled and to be loved.

“A bear teaches us that if the heart is true, it doesn’t matter much if an ear drops off.”
Helen Exley

In 1993, the auction house Christies, held their first auction devoted entirely to teddy bears and such is the demand, that two sales are now held annually. Bears can be taken home for as little as £100, but just a few years ago a bear reached the astonishing price of £100,000!

If you are lucky enough to find a bear for your collection, professionals recommend that you place it in a sealed plastic bag and freeze it for 24 hours. This will kill any unwelcome guests that might be having a picnic feast with your teddy as host!

Several years ago West Country aristocrat Sir Benjamin Slade, paid over £40,000 for a 1909 Steiff bear once owned by Elvis Presley. Mabel, as the teddy is known, was on loan to the tourist attraction at Wookey Hole, Somerset in 2006 when disaster struck. Part of an exhibition of several hundred teddies, Mabel was the star of the show and demanded the kind of security that any superstar would expect.

Unfortunately, Mabel was the victim of an inside job and was attacked by one of the Doberman Pinschers employed to protect her. Barney went on a 15 minute rampage and caused carnage on a scale never seen before. Mabel had a large piece of her stomach torn away and was beyond repair. A further £20,000 worth of damage was inflicted on many of the other bears.

The Germans don’t have sole control of the teddy market. You can also find collectable bears from UK manufacturers. Chad Valley began making them here in the late 1920’s. They used luxuriant gold mohair with softly stuffed limbs. A decade later and Merrythought began production of their distinctive bears which had large round ears and joined claws.

Production of teddies all but ceased during the Second World War. When it resumed, the teddy had evolved into the more soft and cuddly version, that we see today.

“It’s hard to visualise the toys you had fifty years ago – all save bear. He’s as clear as if he were sitting on the desk in front of you…of course…he probably is.”
Pam Brown

If you can’t afford to invest in one of the more expensive bears, you can always opt for a modern version to start off your collection. Today’s manufacturers have recognised the appeal of the bear, and many are now being produced with this in mind. Whether you collect from one manufacturer, or follow a theme, there is one certainty. The bears will repay your investment with pleasure by the armful.

Go into any souvenir shop and you are certain of finding a teddy. The Tower of London, Gatwick Airport, the National Trust – they all know the power of the teddy and by incorporating their logo into its wardrobe, it’s an excellent marketing tool.

Displayed on a shelf or on a comfy chair in the corner, they will continue to delight. Even the most cynical of us, would find it difficult to view such a collection without recalling our own memories with fondness and perhaps a tinge of regret. What happened to that dear old teddy of mine?

“Everything in life I share, except of course my teddy bear!”
Unknown

In a recent survey of customers, Travelodge discovered that many men admitted to dreaming of a night-time cuddle with a teddy. However, our stuffed friends were pipped to the post by Angelina Jolie who was the most popular cuddling partner overall.

But what of the teddy we all grew up with? Tucked away in a box or in a plastic bag in the loft they may be, but we just can’t bring ourselves to get rid of them. They are the link to our childhood, of fond memories, perhaps of a safer time.

Teddies, it seems, slept during the day so they could guard us at night. With them close to us, nothing bad could ever happen, no nightmare quite that terrible.

Ask a friend if they still have a teddy and the answer will probably be “No, I have several!” An eye missing, a bald patch. It matters not. They mopped up tears and gave us something to snuggle into. It seems bears are for life!