Posts Tagged ‘Bears’
Mohair Bears
Saturday, September 24th, 2011
Teddy Bears by Hermann
Johann Hermann, who was born in a small village just outside of Sonneberg, Germany, started to make wooden violins for children, a tradition of 200 years in his village. In 1907, however, he stopped making violins and, for some reason, decided to set up a soft toy making business, along with the help of his family. Quite why he had the idea to begin this, I have no idea, according to the history books, I don’t think anyone really knows.
Johann’s son, Bernhard, the first of his children, as well as helping his Father decided he also wanted to set up in business on his own. Bernhard had trained in business and commerce. In 1912 he started his new business and called it BEHA, being simply a phonetic of his initials. However, soon afterwards, the First World War began and Bernhard was called up to fight – he was actually sent to France. Along with all the other problems caused by war to the business, shortages of materials simply added to all the difficulties.
By the 1920’s, the business had recovered and was once again in full swing and Bernhard’s business produced some very high quality Teddy Bears, who were made of high quality mohair and who had Glass Eyes and many of which were stuffed with wood wool. Some much cheaper Teddy Bears were produced, usually by outworkers.
Bernhard’s business became well established for the production of good quality toys and Teddy Bears. However, despite the quality toys being produced, Germany during the 1920’s were not easy times, as the country was in the grip of a depression. By this time too, both England and the United States were also producing some very good quality Teddy Bears, this hit the company hard, however, despite the odds being against him, Bernhard’s toy company survived.
In 1925, dolls were introduced to the range of soft toys and Teddy Bears, one of the most popular lines being the nevue dolls. These dolls were also commonly known as bed dolls, they were made for adults, mostly being for the U.S. market, they were dolls made of cloth who had long and rather dangly legs and were dressed in the styles of the times. Some of these very collectible dolls was even made with a cigarette between their lips (a very fashionable statement of those times).
Then along came the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939. Once again materials were in very short supply and many of the factory workers were conscripted. Nevertheless, despite all the problems, the factory carried on production throughout the war years.
However, this was not to be the end of the company’s troubles. The post-war years also brought it’s problems too, Sonneberg being in the eastern part of Germany. It seemed likely that this would result in the company being nationalised. Bernhard’s son, Werner helped his Father search for a new location for the factory and finally he came across a location in Hirschaid. At first all Teddy Bear production came from a small workshop that was set up in a local bar room. Soon, however, a new factory was built.
In 1953, Bernhard’s family made the move themselves. Bernhard’s sons, Hellmut, Artur and Werner, all being involved in their Father’s business. The business became known as Teddy-Pluschspielwarenfabrik Gebr. Hermann KG (Hermann Brothers Company, Manufacturers of Teddy Bears and Soft Toys). Soon the business began to grow once more.
Today, the management is in the hands of the fourth generation of the Hermann Family, the name of the company now being Teddy-Hermann.
Whilst writing this article, I would just mention that a second Hermann soft toy company was set up by Johann Hermann’s other son, Max, which today is still in business. This company also make Teddy Bears under the name of Hermann-Spielwarren.
For reasons I don’t know, it seems that when Bernhard set up his own soft toy company, his siblings did the same, Artur, Max and his sister Adelheid started companies making Teddy Bears. Max set up the company, Max Hermann, Sonneberg. M aheso, the company’s trademark was incorporated in the early 1930’s. This was a green triangle and a bear and dog on a lead. Part of this logo is still used today, although the Hermann name replaces the Mahesco trademark.
About the Author
Gino loves fast cars, especially fast italian cars. Gino also loves anything Italian. Gino also heads an old teddy bear site which is full of adorable old teddy bears and their friends.
Please visit his website at www.ginosbears.co.uk
Schaumburg 2010 Teddy Bear Show Highlights
|
|
Artemis & Dumpling – Deb Canham Artist Designs Artemis and Dumpling from Deb Canham Artist Designs comes from her Dress Up Bears Collection. This miniature collectible set includes a tan mohair bear dressed in a detailed red felt wizard’s outfit, and an adorable green felt dragon. Artemis and Dumpling is 3-3/4 inches tall…. |
|
|
Hurley Bear Claw Jacket – Women’s You may want to take the Hurley Women’s Bear Claw Jacket with you camping, but its cozy mohair fabric, comfy style, and oversized pockets may entice a bear to take too long of a look at you. It’s really not nice to taunt the bears with this sweet piece, so sport this one around town instead.Product FeaturesMaterial: mohair blendInsulation: Fabric Waterproof Rating: Fabric Breathability Rating: Hoo… |
|
|
Buying and Selling Teddy Bears Price Guide $8.00 This comprehensive, illustrated colour price guide to the secondary market features more than 450 teddy bears dating from the earliest 1904 creations to contemporary bears by manufacturers, studios and individual artists. Well-known authorities Terry and Doris Michaud have created a unique, easy-to-use rating scale based on condition; the result is the first price guide ever to present three condi… |
|
|
Crochet a Mohair Bear Teddy Bear, a Crochet Pattern By Sue Pendleton $10.50 Have you ever wanted to crochet a teddy bear from mohair yarn, but feel a little bit uneasy about working with fuzzy thread? It’s easy to feel intimidated by mohair and eyelash yarn if you don’t know the techniques that make it a lot easier. This pattern gives detailed, step by step instructions telling you how to crochet a small bear from mohair or other fuzzy yarn using a size 5 crochet hook ()…. |
|
|
Hand Knit Mohair Fashions … |
|
|
Steiff Keyring Rabbit Light Brown $14.48 Make your keys a little more at home with this adorable key ring with a plush rabbit. Made of cuddly soft plush, machine washable, and each about 4″ long.Features include: •Rabbit Keychain•Made of cuddly soft plush•Machine washable•About 4″•Made in Germany, and includes the famous ?button in the ear? Steiff trademark tag… |
|
|
Bears $25.61 Bears |
|
|
BEARS $18.69 BEARS |
|
|
BRITTELLE,WILLIAM: MOHAIR TIME WARP $10.93 BRITTELLE,WILLIAM: MOHAIR TIME WARP |
|
|
Mohair Sam NF Regular $20 Download the Mohair Sam NF Regular font for Mac or Windows in OpenType, TrueType or PostScript format. |
