28 July 2025
|
Paddington Bear was introduced to the world back in 1958. Michael Bond wrote the classic children’s book ‘A Bear called Paddington.’ He has become one of Britain’s most loved characters, with even the late Queen Elizabeth II discussing her love for the little bear. When did the collection of Paddington merchandise start though?
That would be down to Shirley Clarkson, yes mother of infamous Jeremy Clarkson. Clarkson created the first Paddington bear soft toy for her children. At the time, she had no intention of selling these worldwide but after high demand she had a rethink.
Original Paddington Bear Soft Toy
Shirley Clarkson and her company Gabrielle Designs got the license to sell Paddington toys in the UK in 1972.
It was the first Paddington product licence offered. Once the Paddington television series aired in the mid-70s, more Paddington items started to appear in shops. The number of different Paddington products soon grew until the little bear’s image was appearing on an array of items from greeting cards to wallpaper.
Gabrielle Design’s creation was an unjointed bear of cream nylon plush with a navy blue felt duffel coat. Along with a red floppy felt hat and red wellington boots boots with cream soles. A safety pin is in the hat and there is a printed luggage label attached on the coat toggles. The eyes and nose are plastic.
The luggage label reads ‘please look after this bear, thank you’ and has become a staple part of the Paddington Bear look. People around the world recognize this phrase as a link to the world’s favourite British bear.
The original books discussed the blue duffel coat, but it was Gabrielle Designs that added the boots that we all know and love him to have. Michael Bond then added the wellie boots in later books because he loved them so much.
Meanwhile, Paddington’s popularity was growing outside the UK. In 1975, the US company Eden Toys acquired the licence to make and sell Paddington Bear in the rest of the world.
Photo: paddington.com
The Value of the Original Paddington Bear
Gabrielle Designs bears were handmade and are now considered collectors’ items, as every bear is slightly different. Gabrielle Designs ceased trading all together in 1997.
Buyers can find the original bear on eBay for over £250. Collectors have previously sold the version with the yellow hat and boots for more than £300. It is very difficult to find an original in pristine condition because of the material the clothes are made of. Many have gone bobbly, or do not have any clothes all together, these make around £20-30 at the auction.
The Eden Toys version of Paddington Bear can make anything between £50-£200 depending on the condition and outfit of the plush. If they are in pristine condition, barely touched since original purchase then it will make the highest price of the range.
Photo: curiosityclassics.co.uk
Have a look and talk to your family, see if you can find any original Paddington Bears’ that need looking after, and get some extra cash in return.
For more on toy and teddy collecting, look at our most recent copy of Collectors Gazette! Available now!