Mohair plush bear on wheels probably made in Germany about 1920

This is a pull along toy set on four wheels. The bear is a traditional shape with a long snout, round ears and a prominent hump. The fabric is a golden mohair Yorkshire cloth, well worn over much of the body, the metal frame inside the body is also slightly rusty and has affected the legs and rear areas of the fabric by staining it. Both eyes are missing and the left ear appears to been resewn. The base frame is a rectangle made from length of metal with 4 metal wheels. All the metal has been slightly affected by rust. The wheels are solid with a pattern of small circles moulded on the outer side.

Given by Mrs P. M. Brown

Patricia Margaret Brown (nee Angus) was born in Denmark Hill,
28/07/1926. This bear was the first toy she could remember and it was simply called Bear On Wheels.

There is no indication of a maker, however, the design suggests German rather than English. Several well known companies were producing these bears during the 1920s including Steiff, Schuco, Gund and Hermann.

Many soft toy manufacturers made toys in the form of real bears as well as teddy bears. These toy bears are much more realistic than teddy bears. They often had wheels added to make them pull-along toys rather than huggable cuddly toys.

B.100-1995