When I was very little, I got a teddy bear. I was so young, I have no recollection of not having it. I still have it. I loved that teddy to death and even played hairdressers on it when I was about 6, giving it a bit of a haircut! (Update 2017: I’ve been scanning some old photos and have found a picture of me aged about a year old with my bear.)
I’ve never seen another bear like it, and had no idea where or when it was made. I figured it wasn’t a Steiff bear, but its identity eluded me. Then two weeks ago on ‘The Collectors’, they did a segment on a doll hospital and at the end of the segment the panel discussed the value of several bears — including a bear that looked just like mine! I was so excited!
Thanks to ‘The Collectors’, I’ve now found out that my teddy is a Berlex Bear, made in Melbourne from the 1930s to the 1970s, and the value is around $300. Value is irrelevant as I’d never get rid of my ‘Ted’.
‘The Collectors’ episode that featured ‘my’ bear is Episode 4, 28 February 2010 and you can view it here: http://www.abc.net.au/tv/collectors/segments/s2824604.htm. The segment discussing the bears starts around 5 minutes 10 seconds in, and goes to 7 minutes 48 seconds.
Here’s a screen shot from the video, showing ‘my’ bear:
Berlex bear
And here’s *my* bear:
And me with my Ted way back when:
Update October 2020: I’ve now had Ted restored back to his handsome self: https://rhondabracey.com/2020/10/21/my-teddy-went-to-the-teddy-bear-doctor/
Rhonda Bracey: At Random 
This could be my story! I too saw The Collectors and recognised my teddy which was bought new for me when I was born in 1953. It was so exciting. I emailed the ABC to get the name of the bear and now I am on a big Google hunt for all the information I can find. My bear had lovely glass eyes but my mother removed them for safety reasons. I lived with a poor blind teddy for years – until I was old enough to embroider a new pair on him.
He looks like he was loved enough! My first bear was Pooh Bear — and I literally loved him to pieces.
Wow I have my brothers bear and recently took him out of the cupboard he is your bears brother for sure cant believe the valuation. Unfortunately the ABC link isn’t available. Did they advise of where or who buys antique bears ?
Jean
Sorry, Jean — I have very little recollection of that show some 7 years on. And I have no idea who might buy antique bears — try Google.
I have Two Berlex bears with tags across there feet made by. Berlex Australia . they are in mint condition, and still squeak. just love them.
Thanks for sharing, Karyn. Now that you mention it, mine had a growler mechanism, which broke sometime when I was a kid. There’s just a bit of a clunk now when you turn him onto his tummy.
[…] my teddy bear, all my life (or very close to it; pictures of me with my Ted when I was an infant: https://rhondabracey.com/2010/03/14/i-found-my-bear/). For the last couple of decades he has sat on a shelf looking a little the worse for wear. His […]
My Berlex Bear is exactly the same as in the photo. I would love to have it restored but don’t know where or how.
Hi Diana
There are teddy bear doctors/restorers around. I live in Western Australia and found one in Perth. Details with before and after photos here: https://rhondabracey.com/2020/10/21/my-teddy-went-to-the-teddy-bear-doctor/
I hope you can get yours restored!
–Rhonda