3rd Dec, 2024 12:00

Teddy Bears of Witney Auction

 
Lot 56
 

56

Bristol’, a German Teddy Bear, circa 1910, lost at Bristol Airpot in 2012

Sold for £1,900
Estimated at £1,500 - £2,000


 
Bristol’, a German Teddy Bear, circa 1910, lost at Bristol Airpot in 2012, with blonde mohair, black boot button eye, pronounced muzzle, black stitched nose and claws, swivel head, jointed limbs, slight hump and inoperative growler —20in. (50.5cm.) high; an original photograph of this bear with the original owner and his sister; a Bristol Airport bag; a Lost Property tag and a newspaper featuring the bear — this much-loved circa 1910 German bear, which was inadvertently left behind at Bristol Airport in 2012 before being reunited with his owner more than a year later. He was bought by Ian from SAS in 2015 - originally he was called Edward Bear was given to Kenneth George Baker by his uncle soon after he was born in 1910. Kenneth was never strong and died at home shortly before his third birthday. He left behind a sister Dora (sitting in the photograph) and younger brother Glyn. Dora became the bear’s new guardian. Dora died childless, aged 80, her bear passed onto her nephew Bob (Glyn’s son). In 2012 Bob moved from South Wales to Cyprus. He flew from Bristol Airport, but when his flight was called, he inadvertently left his family bear in the departure lounge. Bob was already on the plane when he realised and having heard several Tannoy messaged about left luggage being destroyed, he presumed the worse and the bear was lost forever. After a media campaign ‘Bristol’ and Bob were reunited fourteen months later, sadly due to ill health Bob decided he should sell Bristol and find a new home for him.