Mohair glove puppet, squirrel, Hopsi, made in Germany by Steiff in 1962

Glove puppet, representing a squirrel, made of mohair plush. The puppet has an oval head with pointed ears ending with black tuffs. The front of the body is plain cream plush, with the head and back of beige plush. Felt feet have been added to the arms and to the bottom of the glove. To the back has been added a large curved tail.

The head is made with several panels of cloth to form the shape and colour. The nose and mouth are indicated by black thread stitches. There are plastic whiskers on each side of nose. The eyes are large black buttons set on white felt. The arms are stuffed with kapok.. The feet are cream felt partly shaded dark brown. The head is tightly stuffed with wood pulp (sawdust) with a finger hole of beige plastic in the centre

*Named HOPSI, after a primer book character, the glove puppet was introduced in 1962.

References: Steiff, by R & C Pistorius; Button in the Ear, by J & M Cieslik

see also B. 227 to 229-1996

Steiff was founded in 1877 by Margarete Steiff. Richard, one of her nephews, designed the first jointed teddy bear in 1902. This design was perfected in 1905. The company became the leading exporter of bears from Germany with Britain and the USA its biggest customers. Although it is best known for its teddy bears Steiff has produced a huge range of soft toy animals over the years as well as dolls and toys. The squirrel Hopsi is one of a range of animal glove puppets that Steiff made in the early 1960s.

B.230-1996