British Collectable Toys

One of the world's foremost teddy bear experts delves into the history of the famous brand that inspired Winnie-the-Pooh. The family firm of J. K. Farnell & Co. Ltd. occupies a position of unparalleled importance in British soft toy history, firstly because it was the very first British toy company to manufacture teddy bears, and also because it created the actual bear that inspired A. A. Milne to write the Winnie-the-Pooh stories. Yet impressive as those facts undoubtedly are, they comprise just a small fraction of the fascinating Farnell story. Founded in the nineteenth century, for decades J. K. Farnell & Co. Ltd. was the most respected and influential soft toy manufacturer in Britain. Thanks to the superior quality of its products, the company experienced enormous commercial success at national and international levels-even in Germany, home to its biggest rival. Surviving economic depression, devastating fire, the ravages of World War II, and other traumatic events, the company kept going until fundamental changes in the British toy market forced its closure in 1970. Since then, the Farnell name has been forgotten by all but a dedicated band of teddy bear enthusiasts and the true story of this pioneering British firm has fallen into obscurity. Now, thanks to Kathy Martin's intensive research, the facts about J. K. Farnell & Co. Ltd. and its fabulous teddy bears are revealed in this informative and entertaining book.

A deep dive into the history of the much-loved plush bear brand from one of the world's foremost teddy bear experts. Merrythought was one of Britain's longest running British-made teddy bear firms with a dedicated international following for their quality, highly collectable bears whose life-size models used to dominate stores such as Harrods and Hamleys. This book-with its quality color illustrations and use of original sales material-will appeal to teddy bear collectors as well as dedicated Merrythought fans and is full of tips on collecting the popular toys. Written by leading teddy bear expert, Kathy Martin, editor of Teddy Bear Scene and a regular on programs such as QVC as well as a consultant to firms producing collectable bears, this is a must for collectors, dealers, and those who loved their own Merrythought teddy bears when young. After a short-term closure, Merrythought was revived and will delight future generations. Its closure made headlines news, showing the enduring popularity of the quality bears.