Teddy Bear

This teddy bear was given to Josephine Mary Thorn when she was a young girl. Josephine, born in 1926 had several very special toys that she kept all her life including this bear and other soft toys including a rag doll and a rabbit-like plush toy. The bear's wear and tear is evidence that it was a well-loved and much played with toy.

Teddy bears were first manufactured in the early twentieth century by the famous Steiff Company in Germany. This example made in the late 1920s or early 1930s is more likely to be British made. During the first World War German made toys were banned - British toy manufacturers flourished.

The name 'teddy bear' is believed to have come from US President Theodore 'Teddy' Roosevelt who on a hunting trip refused to shoot a captured bear. Satirical cartoons followed and souvenir stuffed bears were named 'Teddy's bear'.