McBear's Blog - Teddy bear auction

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Posted by: Jo Rothery	23/09/2007
I do wish I could have been at the auction of the bears from the Teddy Bear Museum of Stratford-upon-Avon last week, which was the end of an era of teddy bear history in more ways than one. I expect lots of collectors found some new members for their hug, as the lots sold from just £80 up to £8,000 for some of the celebrity bears, so there really was something for everyone. Sad in some ways to see those bears split up, but lovely that lots of them have gone off to happy new homes. But it was also a sad occasion because it was the very last teddy bear sale at Christie's - the end of 14 years of historic bear sales organised by the lovely Daniel Agnew at Christie's, and a day of laughter and tears. Did you buy any bears at the sale? If so, I would love to hear about them and pass on the good news to my friends in the McBears club. You could add your news by putting a comment on my blog, or email the details, with a picture if you like, to jo@mcbears.com Another thing which everyone in the teddy bear world seems to be talking about is Paddington Bear's 'defection' to Marmite! As we all know, until now Paddington's diet has been principally marmalade sandwiches, but according to a new TV advert, he has switched to Marmite, that spread which most people either love or hate. Personally, I hate it - give me marmalade or honey any day - but perhaps he was just bored with marmalade after so many years. What do you think? Hugs from McBear xx

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Comments (5)

Re: Teddy bear auction - and Marmite!

By Larry on 23/09/2007

Dear McBear, it's me Happy Larry reporting on Paddington's new found fad - Marmite. Love it or hate it I certainly LOVE the advert - in fact I roared with laughter when I saw it - especially the bit with the pigeon! Anyway good for Paddington I say for wanting to expand his diet. After all variety is the spice of life. There's no reason he can't have Marmalade one day and Marmite another is there? There's room for both in this world. Perhaps there was too much sugar in his marmalade so it wasn't doing his teeth any good? He will certainly have a more balanced diet now. I bet he secretly eats bananas too.
Larry xx

Re: Teddy bear auction - and Marmite!

By JoRothery on 23/09/2007

I think you have made some very good points there, Larry - everyone should have a balanced diet, though I think honey will always be my personal preference.
I've had lots of emails today about Paddington, which have been great fun to read.
Jane Hunt of Doodle Bears thinks that dear old Paddington needs his marmalade to be able to send sweet hugs and love out to bear-lovers young and old and that he should stay as sweet as ever.
But Ellie Covell of Ellie Bears disagrees - she loves Marmite so thinks Paddington has shown very good taste indeed by changing his allegiance. She has never been able to understand why he liked marmalade so much!
Hugs from McBear

Re: Teddy bear auction - and Marmite!

By JoRothery on 25/09/2007

Dear McBear

My human showed me the message regarding Paddington's new appetite for Marmite. I was stunned. (UGH!! Gag me!!!!!) I fear Padding may be quite ill and perhaps should consider a good check up, or complete physical. Maybe he needs a specialist, a Stuffingologist might order some test. When a teddy bear prefers Marmite to marmalade, chocolate cake, peanutbutter, ice cream, cookies, and other delights, it's just wrong.
Wishing Padding and all teddy bear friends the beary best,
Theodore Baltimore Craig

Re: Teddy bear auction - and Marmite!

By JoRothery on 29/09/2007

Tilly Storr of Tillington Bears emailed me to say that she couldn't be at the sale of the Stratford bears, although she had visited the museum more than once and enjoyed seeing all the bears (especially Sooty).
She has never bought an old bear - her only elderly bear friends are a bear that was given to her by her grandmother which may
have been her Dad's, a little bear that was given to her by a neighbour when she was about three (and it was very old then) and a Chad Valley (she thinks) bear which her Mother bought for her 11th birthday, even though she thought her too young for bears. What would she think now, we wonder!?
Tilly had the two older bears restored and mended the younger one herself when one of his eyes fell out. She loves them all dearly, of course, and they are the only bears allowed in the bedroom.

Marmite? Well, Tilly loves it (and marmalade too). She thinks it's OK for Paddington to have Marmite sandwiches for lunch but definitely not for breakfast - he should stick to the marmalade in the mornings as, like most bears, he probably needs sweetening up first thing!
She wonders what he'll be planning to have for his tea? Will the advertisers have Paddington eating Bad Boy Pot Noodles?

Re: Teddy bear auction - and Marmite!	By JoRothery on 04/10/2007
My humble apologies to Jane of Doodlebears - in fact, I'm apologising on behalf of Jo, who inadvertently called this lovely bear artist Jane Hunt - she is, of course, Jane Martin. Hugs from McBear - especially to Jane xx