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Hugmee

Teddy Bear
1930s (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Chiltern Toys first started making teddy bears in 1915, starting with the Master Teddy. Hugmee bears, featuring jointed arms and legs, glass eyes and embroidered noses, were introduced in 1923. They were produced until the 1960s, with slight changes introduced post-war due mainly to fabric shortages. The original factory was based in Chesham, at the base of the Chiltern Hills, from where the company got its name.

This example is from the 1930s and was bought for the donor from the now closed Holborn department store Gamages, famous for its unparallelled stock of toys.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleHugmee (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Stitched mohair stuffed with kapok, with velvet paws and footpads, and embroidered nose and claws
Brief description
1930s Chiltern Hugmee teddy bear with golden-coloured mohair fur and jointed legs, arms and head.
Physical description
Golden-coloured mohair fur teddy bear; long muzzle with elongated upward stitches on outside edges of nose, clear and black glass eyes, large thighs which taper at ankles and long curved arms. with spoon-shaped paws.
Dimensions
  • Height: 25cm (when in sitting position)
  • Width: 23cm
  • Depth: 14.5cm
Production typeMass produced
Credit line
Given by Sheila White
Object history
This teddy was bought for the donor when she was 3 years old in 1937, at Gamages department store, Holborn, London.
Subjects depicted
Association
Summary
Chiltern Toys first started making teddy bears in 1915, starting with the Master Teddy. Hugmee bears, featuring jointed arms and legs, glass eyes and embroidered noses, were introduced in 1923. They were produced until the 1960s, with slight changes introduced post-war due mainly to fabric shortages. The original factory was based in Chesham, at the base of the Chiltern Hills, from where the company got its name.

This example is from the 1930s and was bought for the donor from the now closed Holborn department store Gamages, famous for its unparallelled stock of toys.
Collection
Accession number
B.94-2011

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Record createdNovember 18, 2011
Record URL
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