THE MERRY BLOG | SEPTEMBER 2020

Celebrating 90 Years Of The Finest Teddy Bears

Merrythought is proud to celebrate 90 years of bringing magic and delight to adults and children around the world, with our ranges of traditionally handcrafted soft toys.

One can only wonder if Gordon Holmes ever imagined that the teddy bear company he founded in September 1930 would be continuing his legacy 90 years later, and from the very same historical building in the World Heritage Site of Ironbridge. It is testament to the high standards he set, that after four generations the Merrythought teddy bear is still handmade in England using largely the same techniques and processes that he developed all those years ago.

For nine decades Merrythought has been committed to producing high quality handcrafted teddy bears with, as expressed in the company’s first catalogues, a promise of ‘Quality, Courtesy and Service’.

Step inside the Merrythought factory today, and you’ll find a skilled team of artisans carefully crafting each classic teddy bear from the very best natural materials. From cutting out the intricate pieces of plush and paw fabric, sewing them together and stuffing to just the right weight, to hand-sewing the joints into the limbs and adding the eyes, every step is done with the upmost care and attention to detail. A hand-stitched nose and smile really brings a bear to life, and ensures that each one has its own unique character for someone to fall in love with.

Initially purely a manufacturer, Merrythought also started to retail its teddy bears in 1987, opening the existing Ironbridge shop which is exclusively dedicated to the soft toys that are handmade just a few feet away.

Alongside its core collections of soft toys, Merrythought has also manufactured teddy bears for a number of royal babies and famous children, and has worked with high profile brands such as Mulberry, Burberry, British Airways and the Savoy Hotel, whilst also collaborating with a number of charities. These currently include SSAFA, The Armed Force’s Charity, the Children’s Air Ambulance and Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust - each of which have a teddy bear that raises funds for their very worthwhile causes.

90th Anniversary Commemorative Teddy Bear

This special limited edition bear combines the ruby (40th) and golden (50th) anniversary year colours throughout its design, and features Merrythought’s 90th anniversary logo embroidered onto its left paw.

Featuring deep-brown glass eyes and a hand-embroidered nose and smile, the bear is finished with a luscious double satin bow, in the centre of which is a beautiful plated-gold and ruby crystal Merrythought wishbone pendant.

Each bear is individually numbered as part of a limited edition of only 300pcs, and presented in an exclusive ‘90th anniversary’ luxury drum box, along with a certificate that has been hand-signed by Merrythought’s Managing Director, Sarah Holmes.