A battered teddy and doll with a wobbly tongue – given as festive gifts to a little girl in the 1920s – are in need of a new loving home this Christmas.
The bear, which has a missing eye and ripped ear, and a German Heubach Koppelsdorf bisque-head doll, are set to go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers on Thursday, December 19 because their owner simply wants them to be cuddled and treasured again.
The early 20th century, humpback, jointed, straw-filled bear has an estimate of £40-£60. Meanwhile the doll, which has open-and-close eyes, a wobbly tongue and damaged hands, has an estimate of £100-£150.
Maureen Arnett, 69, a personal assistant from Pyrford, Surrey, said: “The toys were given to my aunt and godmother Margaret Hilda Mary Arnett, who was born on August 1, 1921 in Dukes Wood Cottages, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire.
Margaret Arnett’s teddy and doll were given to her as Christmas gifts in the 1920s.
“She was a very weak baby and Christened almost straight away as she was not expected to live long. But she confounded the medics and did the reverse. She lived to be 89 – and treasured the toys throughout her life.
“I don’t know what year she received them but she’s aged about three in a photo I have of her with the doll. It must have been taken around 1924. I also found an old photo of the teddy sitting in Margaret’s garden.
“The toys would have been gifts from her adoring parents, Free (crrt) and Hilda Arnett (mother).Free is an unusual name but it was passed down from eldest son to eldest son.“The fact that my Aunt Margaret kept the toys for so long showed how much they meant to her. As executor of her will, I was responsible for clearing her house, the place she called home for 82 years. The doll and teddy were wrapped up in one of the drawers in her bedroom.I did not have the heart to dispose of them. My own teddy bear is now 67 years old and I can’t part with him.
Maureen Arnett with her own teddy, which she has had for 67 years.
“Recently, I read about a wartime teddy being sold by Hansons because its owner wanted the toy to be treasured by someone after he had gone. I contacted the auction house and I was delighted when they agreed to sell my aunt’s toys.
“It’s not about the money, it’s about finding them a new loving home. I know my aunt would have wanted that.
“It’s time to sell as I’m moving house soon and must clear out some things.I don’t have any children to pass the doll and teddy to and my only relatives are in Australia. I have three nephews but they’re not interested.
“It’s very difficult to sell the toys – it seems like a betrayal – but I take the view that my aunt would rather they went to someone who would appreciate them than just being disposed of when I pass away.”
Hansons’ toy valuer Steve Fulford with Margaret’s bear and doll.
Steve Fulford, toy expert at Hansons, said: “Maureen’s bear may be a little the worse for wear but he’s got a face packed with character. What’s not to love?The doll with its wobbly tongue is lovely, too. As vintage toys, neither are of great value but doll and teddy collectors should still like them.
“Toys, especially the first teddy or doll we were given as a child, are steeped in nostalgia. They remind us of our childhood, parental love and the intense excitement of Christmas when we were young. I still have my first teddy, as do many people. Let’s hope we can find them a new home in time for the festive season.”
The doll, lot 2115A, and the bear, Lot 2116A, will be sold on Thursday, December 19 at Hansons, Heage Lane, Etwall, Derbyshire, DE65 6LS. To find out more, email [email protected]. For a free toy valuation, email: [email protected]
How to bid at Hansons
If you would like to bid on the doll or bear, you can register to bid online at www.hansonslive.co.uk
CLICK HERE to browse the Dec 17-19 Antiques and Collectors Catalogue
You can also email an advance bid to [email protected] but to ensure we have time to process the bid, please send your email by 4pm on December 18, 2019.
