Two bits of good news! - here's a clue to the first....
Who could've left that pairs of specs on the side?
Yes, it was Rupert.... my father's old bear. He has returned to live with me and his old comrade Old Donkey again, and hopefully won't be leaving or going visiting for a good long time.
Hello, my dear old friend - it's good to be back with you again
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| Teddy bear and toy donkey - both nearing 100 years old |
Here are a couple of photos of Daddy aged 2 years 2 weeks (according to what is written on the back) with his mother, my grandmother, and Rupert so that would've been in July/August 1915.... so we can safely assume that next year Rupert will be 100 years old! I think we must have a special party!
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| Mother, son and teddy bear in 1915 |
My father was adorable in these photos, wearing the broderie anglais dress that very little boys wore in those days - probably very convenient when potty training!
Reg, a cheerful old sheepskin bear arrived at the Orphanage..... and here he is....
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Name: Reg
Age: Not exactly known but at least 60 years and could be more up to 77 years old
Physical Characteristics: Reg is an ‘old boy’- his words, not mine! He is quite rare as made from sheepskin, and he is also slightly grubby. ‘The thought of a bath at my age, my dear, is not appealing’ he told me. I have no idea how a vintage sheepskin bear could be cleaned anyway. So he is a natural sheepskin colour, quite creamy, even yellowy, but grubby on the top and middle back of his head (where dust has collected I suppose). He has chocolate brown colour on his paws and bottom of his legs. His sheepskin is pretty good, furry and deep, though worn at the top of his right arm and showing his ‘skin’. Reg’s eyes area light clear orange/amber with darker centres that have gone a little misty with age, he has a slight smile on his face and a leather or Rexine nose that looks a bit scarred. His right ear is partly coming off and needs re-stitching. He thinks he could face that, but he’snot too sure about the cleaning (perhaps you would be able to kindly persuade him?). His arms and legs can be moved, but his head is fixed in position. Regis quite heavy - he could be stuffed with some vintage material such as woodstraw, wood shavings or something similar - I don’t know.
Size: In the sitting position, head to bottom, about 14 inches and head to foot about 18 inches.
Label: None
Personality/Likes/Dislikes: Reg is quiet, but extremely friendly and very funny when you get to know him. He dislikes change and likes comfy chairs and beds, or maybe a cushion on a window sill, looking out on a well kept garden.Swinging in a hammock is his idea of heaven!
Past History: Two lovely ladies were downsizing, and needed to find newaccommodation for some old friends, including Reg. I was told Reg was ‘pre-war’but I’m not too sure if that’s entirely accurate maybe ‘war-time’ would be nearer the mark. I asked Reg but he says he just can’t remember that far back! Reg is the name he was given a long long time ago, and he wears the comfortable old jacket with fur trim that someone made him a long time ago too.
Ideal Home: Reg wasn’t sure whether to make the Orphanage his Forever Home,but as there is bound to be lots of comings and goings, he thinks he might instead like to go somewhere quieter where he can sit with the other ‘old duffers’ (again, his words, not mine) and have long conversations about old times. He wants to make it clear that he doesn’t want his name changed, and he only wants to go to someone who is prepared to give him a comfortable retirement.
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Reg had hardly arrived at the Orphanage before Exciting Things started to happen! Granny Annie put his photo up on Purplecoo (a friendly place) and a lovely panda lady, who is also sheepskin (and sadly a widow) spotted his kind face and fell in love! A few emails..... a little matchmaking......and it was all arranged. Reg could hardly believe it - he was prepared to settle into a comfortable retirement and now he would be getting married! - at his age! - he could hardly believe it! Maybe it was time to smarten himself up a bit! Get that hole in his jacket mended.... or what about a new outfit, Reg?
Reg's travel arrangements were made quickly - he was off to Inverness very very soon, but
he made time to have a chat and a cup of tea with Cordelia and a cuddle with little Cubby .....
and said goodbye to Rupert, left, and Walter (an old Steiff bear - more about him later) - and promised to keep in touch....
Missing you already, Reg (lucky Mrs.P!)
Cordelia was especially sad to see Reg go as she is missing her husband, Cornelius, dreadfully and Reg was always so understanding.....and so good with Cubby. Oh well, she must be brave.....and she knows in her heart of hearts that Cornelius hasn't abandoned her, and will come back to her as soon as he is found or finds out where she is now living.
Here she distracts little Cubby with one of the toys for sale in Grannys' Attic - a vintage Forever Friends basket shaped house - Polly Pocket style. Cubby is fascinated with the tiny bears that live in it.
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| Vintage 90s Forever Friends basket playset - for sale Grannys Attic Groovycart |
Nisbet left, and Butterscotch - two bears currently residing in the Orphanage waiting for adoption - have gone to see two new additions to the Grannys Attic zoo. If you would like to buy a giant penguin or a spotty seal or one of the other numerous 'bigger than the norm' soft toy animals then go HERE . They are both gorgeous and the penguin is extremely clean for a pre-owned toy.
Cicely and Guillaume were mentioned in the last blog, and are now ready for adoption. Cicely has special needs and will need an extra-special home.....
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Here are their adoption details -
Age: Not known – but they’re not young! I'm guessing 60s or 70s era
Physical Characteristics: Cicely is a small scrap of a bear, getting on in years and now unfortunately deaf and blind. She has no eyes and no ears, but Guillaume her faithful doggie friend is always at her side for protection and guidance. Cicely is a light yellow colour and her coat is not particularly worn, though somewhat flat and tufty looking. She has a little bit of a nose, and a sweet red tongue. Guillaume is a sturdy little thing – it’s possible that some people might think he’s a bear, but he says he’s feels like a dog and that’s what he wants to be. His fur is silkier and shinier than Cicely’s and he has black ‘boot button’ eyes and a brown embroidered nose. He wears his original red ribbon.
Size: In the sitting position, head to bottom, Cicely is about 4.5 inches – and head to foot about 5.5 inches. Guillaume is about 5 inches high
Label: Neither Cicely nor Guillaume has a label
Personality/Likes/Dislikes: Cicely is very quiet, though she can communicate when she wants to. She used to be able to see and hear, but accepts that she can’t now. She enjoys the warmth of the sun in the summer and a roaring fire or sitting near the radiator in the winter. She loves the smell of lavender and the taste of chocolate! Guillaume is very protective of Cicely, and likes to be with her as much as possible. He doesn’t like rough people who might frighten Cicely.
Past History: Not known, except they were together.
Ideal Home: It is obvious that Cicely and Guillaume need a very special home where Cicely will be protected and looked after, with Guillaume’s help. I would think it might be a quiet place, perhaps in the country or by the seaside, with a caring gentle person or family.
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If you would like to adopt Cicely and Guillaume please go to Teddy Adoption at Grannys Attic on Groovycart.
Alexander decided that his little brother, Hugo, should really be doing some lessons, so he set up a little school in the garden.
On the left are the young twin bears, Charlie and Archie, who need to practise their reading. Hugo and Cubby are just learning their ABC's -and Cubby insisted that his teddy bear comes to class and learns too! On the right, are Cicely and Guillaume - they have come just because Cicely enjoys sitting in the sun, and Guillaume stays with Cicely, whatever is happening.
Charlie and Archie, learning to read with Ant and Bee.
Learn your ABC's then we can move on to Peter and Jane, says Alexander to Hugo and Cubby
Fluffy Cubby gives poor blind little Cicely a gentle hug
And after the others finish school and go away, Cicely enjoys the last of the sunshine, with Guillaume, as always, at her side.
Walter is a very old bear - probably Steiff and probably dating from around 1909-1910 - older than Rupert, Granny Annie's father's bear.
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| Walter - 105 year old bear, needing adoption! |
Walter is not in Granny's Attic, but he IS needing a new home and his details are currently on ebay (Sept 2014 - item no. 291236032287 or contact me through Granny's Attic - find my email address in the FAQ's ) Walter was bought in 1997 by my daughter from a little teddy bear shop in Convent Garden. It was around the time Princess Diana died, and my daughter thinking that life can be short, so you should have the things you want, treated herself to an old Steiff bear! Now, after some years in the loft, she feels it is time for Walter to move on to the next adventure in his 105 year old life!
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| Rupert and Walter - very vintage teddy bears |
I expect you are admiring Rupert and Walter's knitted waistcoats. They were exclusively hand made by Inge Borg at Teddy Togs in the 90s and probably no longer available to buy - what a shame! They each have lovely little pocket watches - very handy indeed for watching the decades tick by!
Another new face at the Teddy Orphanage is Cuthbert, or Chuckles as he likes to be known. He is extremely clean and a wonderfully unusual colour.
Adoption Details:
Name: Cuthbert (or Chuckles as he likes to be known)
Age: Not known
Physical Characteristics: Cuddles is an amazing bear, with a wonderful ‘cheeky chappie’ happy face. He is a unusual colour which I would call ‘light mink’ – it’s easier to say what it is not! It’s not white or cream or ivory or grey or brown! Perhaps it could be best described as ‘cafe au lait’ – with more lait than cafe! But sometimes it almost looks silver! He has very light beige felt pads on his paws, and big, very round brown eyes. And a lovely smile too! His arms and legs can be moved, but his head is fixed in position. Chuckles is quite a substantial rotund bear with soft, touchable plush. He wears a silky, golden-brown ribbon bow.
Size: In the sitting position, head to bottom, about 15 inches – and head to foot about 18 inches.
Label: None
Personality/Likes/Dislikes: Chuckles is a happy, friendly, funny bear. He likes most things including sitting on laps and watching TV, or being tucked up in bed next to you! He also has the ability to make someone who is feeling a bit low or poorly, feel much better - you just have to look it at that cheery face and you'll be smiling!
Past History: Not known, but he is sure he is ‘quality’!!!
Ideal Home: Chuckles says he will be happy to go to live with anyone who likes the look of him and who will give him the loving ‘forever home’ he’s searching for.
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And now the photo we've been waiting for - here's Reg with his new ladylove, Mrs. P - everyone at the Orphanage is so happy to be able to offer them our Congratulations on their forthcoming Marriage. Reg can't believe his good luck.....he was settling down to the tv and slippers, considering himself quite an old duffer and then suddenly his life has turned around and upside down because he has found a new home and a new love. Never give up hope, he says - you just don't know what's round the corner, or what life has in store for you.
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| Reg and Mrs. P - Tinka-Bell sheepskin teddy people |
1.
Go to groovycart.co.uk.
2.
Click the green rectangle ‘I want to buy’
3.
Click ‘search for a shop’ – on the lefthand side
4.
Type Grannys
Attic in the search – and click
5.
Some of the photos of items in the Attic will come up.
Click on the green writing Grannys Attic. You will be taken to the Home Page
6.
See ‘Navigation’ in the right hand panel. Scroll down
to find Teddy Adoption, and click on it
7.
You will be taken to the page where you will see
details of all the bears currently in the orphanage
8.
Find a bear you would like to adopt. Consider the
matter carefully then...
9.
Take the Pledge! Repeat to yourself ‘I promise that I will
give this bear or bears a caring forever home’
10. Pay
the Adoption Fee, which includes Travelling Expenses
11. Wait
for your very special bear to arrive!
12. Welcome
and give him or her plenty of space to settle in. He or she will soon start
‘talking’ to you, if you listen carefully.
What if the bear I wanted to adopt has already
been adopted?
If this happens, please don’t get too upset. It
was obviously not meant to be! Perhaps you could adopt one of the other bears?
- or wait and come back to Granny’s
Attic soon to see if another bear you could care for has arrived at the
Orphanage. There will always be super bears of all kinds looking for a forever
home. Your bear is travelling in time towards you, I promise you.
To be cont...
