Collections record Beta

Teddy Bear

2014-6-1

Cream colored early 20th century teddy bear. Likely made in either Germany or America. Toy bear has long snout and stitched nose and mouth. Black bakelite eyes. Pads of feet covered in cream felt and leather. Bear is worn throughout.

This teddy bear is an example of early teddy bear designs. Born in 1898 in Colorado Springs, CO, Eleanor Babbitt received this teddy bear as a young girl in the early 20th century when the toy was first becoming popular. As a youth Babbitt and her family moved to New York. She later owned and operated a book store there. In the late 1920s she obtained a private pilot’s license which she used in the 1930s. In 1938, Babbitt moved to Litchfield and brought her cherished teddy bear with her. Throughout her life in Litchfield she was an active volunteer, first serving as a plane spotter for the aircraft warning system in Northfield during World War II. She later volunteered with the Litchfield Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Charlotte Hungerford Hospital. Eleanor Babbitt passed away in 1994 at the age of ninety-six.

The teddy bear is an iconic children’s toy, celebrated in story, song and film. Developed in the early years of the 20th century, the toy took its name from former United States president Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt. The first teddy bears sought to imitate the form of real bear cubs, such as the one seen here. Since then they have greatly varied in form, style and material.

Height 17"

• leather
• wool
• natural fiber
• synthetic fiber
• bakelite