Pam’s Pictorama Toy Post: For those of you who are following my recent trip to France, this little bear was purchased at Antic Toys Dolls, in Lyon – my first toy purchase that day.  I don’t collect teddy bears, but on rare occasion, a bear calls out to me and is purchased. This one is very small, only about five inches, fully jointed. The salesperson, with his very limited English, told me that it was Steiff, but I don’t believe there is any evidence it is, although a very nicely made bear indeed. What I love about Steiff teddy bears, and occasional other bears, is a real human look in the eyes and this bear does have a very sweet and serious face.

If I was very wealthy, there would be select teddy bears I would work to add to my collection. One is this Dean’s Rag Company black bear below. I love not only his expression, but the idea that he has claw footed bear-ish feet!

Dean’s Black Bear (sadly) not in my collection

And I would also own a very early Steiff. This one is a good example and I would scoop him up in a second if I could too.

Early Steiff Bear, not in my collection

I do not remember for sure where I purchased this small white bear below with his somewhat baffled expression. Like my latest purchase, he is fully jointed, but about ten inches. The threads coming off his nose give him a unplanned Chaplin-esque look. I am not positive, but I think I may have brought him back from a flea market in Berlin (where I also purchased an alligator evening bag and a German cat ad cut-out, future post) or a junk store in Dresden on the same trip. Perhaps bears appeal most to me when I am looking for a bit of the comfort way on the other side of the ocean.

Kim introduced me to the song The Teddy Bears’ picnic when we first got together and I am crazy about it. I offer it for your enjoyment here: The Teddy Bears’ Picnic. Subsequently, we were introduced to this incredible short (a sort of Goldie Locks Teddy Rooselvelt killing cute bears) which has a fascinating interlude where animated Steiff bears romp in the middle, The “Teddy” Bears 1907. This one leaves me shaking my head – but you don’t forget it!

Sheet music cover, not in my collection