Teddy bear
Steiff
Category
Toys
Date
circa 1908
Materials
Fur fabric, leather and wood wool
Measurements
720 mm (height); 340 mm (depth)
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 671303
Caption
"Uncle Bruin" teddy bear made by Steiff c.1908, part of the collection of toys at The National Trust Museum of Childhood at Sudbury Hall, Derbyshire. The teddy bear was donated to the museum along with a fabric doll, and the donor requested that they be allowed to remain together as they had not been apart since 1910.
Summary
A Steiff teddy bear called 'Uncle Bruin' (circa 1908). He is made of fur fabric on a canvas base with a leather muzzle and four leather paws. He has a black wool stitched nose, brown wooden eyes, and is stuffed with wood wool. Both arms and legs are jointed to the body. He does not have the characteristic 'Steiff' button in his ear. Notes on the paperwork read - 'Given to Mrs Sainty's (donor) sister Elizabeth Stain when she was two years old in circa 1910. 'Uncle Bruin' and 'Pricella' have been clasped arm-in-arm for the last 85 years or so'. 'Uncle Bruin' and 'Pricella' are never to be separated.' 'Pricella' is recorded separately as inventory number 671637. 'A 'Lenci doll' (inventory number 661638) was given to the donor Virginia Sainty at the same time as Pricella was given to her sister Elizabeth. The donor states 'I was given 'Chloe' but found her stiff and not very lovable.' Doll experts Dorothy and Evelyn Coleman visited the museum on 23rd May 1994. They believe 'Priceilla' to be possibly a 'Chase Stockinet doll', made in Pawtucket, USA'. Martha Chase Doll Company 1889 -1970s.
Makers and roles
Steiff , maker