The Old Bear Company

Stunning Hecla c1906

This stunning Hecla bear dates to around 1906 and is in lovely, original condition. Ted has a good covering of mohair with glass eyes and rust coloured nose/claw sitching. He is five way jointed, filled with wood wool/kapok and measures 13.5" tall - please enquire for more photographs Hecla bears were made around 1906 by a work force believed to comprise German immigrants living in New york. Numerous toy companies set themselves up across America at this time to compete with the established German toy maker, Steiff. Hecla bears were made using finest materials and, although the company failed to market itself effectively and ceased production within a couple of years, the quality of workmanship and rareity of their bears ensured a place in history and they are very much in demand today. A Hecla's main features inlcude blonde or cream mohair, painted black glass eyes (or occasionally shoe button in the larger bears), rusty red coloured nose and wood wool stuffing. Some have been found containing scraps of New York newspapers! The sizes ranged from 8" to 24" and it is possible that a Hecla bear was used to advertise Teddy Bear Bread. Additional pics SOLD

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