A rare soldier bear who comforted a boy whose father was leaving to fight in World War I is looking for a new home.
The 116-year-old bear was first given to a child in Birmingham for Christmas in 1908, but received a makeover in 1915 when the boy’s father was called.
Now dressed in a homemade uniform, complete with sword and gun, Steiff the bear was meant to “soften the blow” of the farewell, one expert said.
A rare soldier bear who comforted a boy whose father was leaving to fight in World War I is looking for a new home. The 116-year-old bear was first given to a boy in Birmingham for Christmas in 1908, but was renovated in 1915 when the boy’s father was called.
Known as Captain Bruiny, the bear’s story is described in a postcard handwritten by the son.
Known as Captain Bruiny, the bear’s story is described in a postcard handwritten by the son.
It says: ‘Bruiny arrived at Christmas 1908 in Birmingham. He was transferred in 1915 to the Salisbury Plain border and joined the army.
‘Using some rather questionable maneuvers, he was quickly promoted to general.
‘He had a motorbike and a sidecar with wheels made from Golden Syrup can lids. He has his driver’s license, signed by my father, in his right pocket.
‘My cousin Edward, stationed at Bulford, made his sword from a piece of yew and cousin Cecile made his elegant baggy trousers.
“The rest of his equipment I made myself with very limited resources.”
Daniel Agnew, a teddy bear specialist at Special Auction Services, which is handling the sale of the item, said these types of gifts for children or boyfriends were “pretty common.”
He continued: ‘But this is a rare article; Often after the war any uniform like this would have been retired as a bad memory; people wanted to move on between wars.
“For the boy who owned it, his father was in the British Army, so it was very touching.”
The bear’s wooden sword and gun. The bear will go under the hammer on November 26.
Looking for a new home: Bear’s battered face, which will sell for up to £1,200 at auction
The author does not sign his name on the postcard that accompanies the bear and his true identity is unknown.
But there are clues, Agnew said.
‘We know where they lived and have a clue as to the father’s name, probably Bulright or Bullwright, as he signed the driving licence.
“It was sold at Bermondsey market in London in the 1970s, and has been owned by one of the UK’s earliest bear collectors, who has slowly been selling off her collection.”
The bear will go up for auction on November 26 at Special Auction Services’ premises in Newbury, Berkshire, where it is expected to fetch up to £1,200.
Also up for auction is a rare Farnell teddy bear sewn into a gas mask case, dating back to World War II.
Apparently these were made in the belief that children might forget their gas mask in an emergency, but they wouldn’t forget their teddy bear.