Soft toys, Ivy and Brumas polar bears, made by Dean's Rag Book Company, England, 1950-1955.

Long cream mohair plush stuffed bear sitting upright with fixed limbs. The feet are small and the arms are outstretched to the front There are three black stitched claws on each paw. The eyes are amber and black glass backed with black felt. The ears are small and the nose is a circular piece of leather with a black stitched mouth beneath. The makers label is stitched on the front lower body.

Short cream mohair plush stuffed bear sitting upright with fixed limbs. The legs and arms are outstretched to the front. The paw pads are a pinkish felt. The eyes are amber and black glass. The ears are small and the nose and mouth are stitched in black wool.

Ivy and Brumas were polar bears at London Zoo. Brumas was born 27 November 1949 and Ivy was her mother. Ivy had come to London from Hanover Zoo in 1947, and was about twelve years old when she gave birth. Brumas was named after her keepers Bruce and Sam (whose name was reversed). Although Brumas was female, the press reported that the bear was a he so the public thought that the cub was male, a belief that is still widespread.

Brumas was the first baby polar bear to be successfully reared in Britain and was an immediate attraction with the public. She caused such interest that, in 1950, the Zoo's annual attendance figures reached the 3 million mark. Brumas died on 17 May 1958.

Both bears proved a popular merchandise resource and were celebrated in newsreels, books, postcards, toys and other souvenirs. Dean's Rag Book Company were granted the licence to produce soft toy versions of the bears.

The clothing worn by the Brumas toy is probably homemade.

B.700:1, 2-2010