!44: Some Famous Teddy Bear Manufacturers From the USA, the UK and Germany - Where It All Began

!±8± Some Famous Teddy Bear Manufacturers From the USA, the UK and Germany - Where It All Began

Amazingly, in the early 1900s the concept of the teddy bear was explored, simultaneously yet independently, both is the USA and Germany. The UK soon caught on, and these three countries are known for the earliest significant manufacturers of these toys. This makes the products from these companies highly sought after as collector's items. Here is a list of these earlier well known producers, some of which are still in production to this day. The list starts with the USA as it was there that President Teddy Roosevelt inspired the name that we are all so familiar with.

USA

Ideal Novelty and Toy Company, founded by Morris Michtom whose wife made Teddy the Bear, was the first company to make these iconic toys in the United States.

Gund is the oldest US manufacturer of soft toys, founded in 1898.

Knickerbocker was founded in 1850, but the first stuffed bears appeared in 1925.

Vermont Teddy Bear Company, although a young company (founded in 1981), is the largest maker of hand-crafted teddies in the USA

Germany

Gebruder Bing made its first stuffed bear in 1907. Very high quality bears were made, but the company only survived until 1932.

Schuco was founded in 1912, but only began making teddies after World War I and continued until 1976.

Steiff, founded in 1880, produced one of the earliest toy bears in 1902 and continues to produce high quality specimens to the present day. Steiff bears are of the most valuable available to collectors.

Chiltern began making teddies in 1915. They are still being made under the Chiltern/Chad Valley label.

Chad Valley also first produced plush bears in 1915. Woolworths now has the rights to the Chad Valley trade name.

J K Farnell started their production of these toys in 1908. The company continued producing them until 1968.

Merrythought joined in 1930 and is still operational, aiming especially at the collector's market. Most recently this company has won the rights to make a special edition teddy bear commemorating the 2012 Olympic Games to be held in London.

Deans started manufacturing their teddies in 1915 and continue to the present time.

The teddy bears produced by these companies are generally more expensive, and popular with collectors. However, nobody needs to go without a cuddly toy bear since mass production ensures that there are millions available all over the world at a price that most people can afford. The major producers of these ranges are in the Far East.