Musical Teddy Bears. Some teddy bear makers inserted musical movements into their bears. Below are some examples of these bears including a German pink-tinted bear by Jopi and a rare pink Pappe Moritz bear.
GERMAN PINK-TINTED MOHAIR MUSICAL BEAR BY JOPI
20″ (51 cm.) Very thick and curly pink-tinted mohair, clear glass eyes, embroidered black nose, brass bell, swivel head, jointed arms and legs, felt paw pads, with hidden music box in body which plays a tune when squeezed briskly. Condition: generally excellent, mohair is very lush except some wear on snout, music box functions well. Comments: Germany, Joseph Pittman, 1920s. Value Points: rare teddy bear with wonderful color, great music.
Sold for $1,900 at Theriault’s
Mohair musical teddy bear probably made in Australia in the 1950s
Golden mohair teddy bear with jointed arms and legs but unjointed head. The pads are coated linen similar to rexine. The eyes are orange and black glass and the nose and mouth stitched black wool. The small rounded ears are sewn over the head seams. There is a metal knob in the middle of the back.
Reference: © Victoria and Albert Museum
Rare pink mohair Pappe Moritz Helvetic clown musical Teddy bear The thick, curly mohair bear with large round orange glass eyes, black stitched nose, mouth and claws, swivel head and jointed at shoulders and hips, pink felt paw pads, sewn on pink felt pointed hat with pom-poms and red silk ruff with bells, musical ‘squeeze-box’ to tummy, (some colour a little faded, repairs to base of hat, and three paw pads), 36cm (14in) tall.
Sold for £ 1,625 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2011
A rare Helvetic musical clown teddy bear with long lilac mohair, clear and black glass eyes with remains of brown painted backs, ponounced clipped muzzle, pink stitched ‘batwing’ nose, swivel head, jointed limbs with velvet pads, original felt conical hat with two chenile pom-poms, blue neck and cuff ruffs and pressure-operated musical mechanism, 1920s –12½in. (31.5cm.) high (faded, ruff discoloured and slight general wear)
Sold for GBP 1,440 at Christie’s in 2006
Musical Mohair Teddy Bear with humped back and glass eyes 22 1/2″ long early 20th century CONDITION rubs/fur loss from being loved., 1/4″ hole in one ear
Sold for $425 at Fairfield Auction, LLC
SQUEEZE CHEST MUSICAL TEDDY BEAR | All Original Condition. | Squeezing chest release spring which plans chime music. | 13″ l.
Sold for $600 at Bertoia Auctions in 2018
