THE MERRY BLOG | JANUARY 2026

The History of the Merrythought Label

As a signature of quality, each Merrythought soft toy is finished with a prestigious stamp of approval - the famous brand label, lovingly stitched typically to the paw.

Throughout Merrythought's long-standing history, the brand label has continued to evolve, and can distinguish which era your teddy bear was made in!

1930s

The Original Label

The inaugural Merrythought woven label was introduced in the 1931 ,when the first soft toys came through production.

This first edition label, and those that followed, prominently displayed the all-important brand message 'Made in England'. The declaration was not just a statement of origin, but also a reflection of British, high quality craftsmanship, resonating with customers seeking authenticity during a rapidly industrialising period.

Today’s Heritage Collection characters, which are detailed recreations of some of our earliest designs, each feature a replica of this original label.

1950s

The Emergence of Printed Labels

During the late 1950s, printed labels made their debut at Merrythought. This style offered vibrant and polished branding, appearing boldly upon each soft toy.

At this time, Merrythought had expanded significantly, boasting over 60 product lines.

1990s

The Merrythought Wishbone

New woven labels were introduced in 1991, and were the first to incorporate Merrythought's emblematic wishbone motif.

This wishbone symbol held significance for the company since its founding, as ‘Merrythought’ itself is an old English term for a wishbone, known for bringing good luck when broken between two people!

2020s

Present Day

Today, each Merrythought companion features a simplified woven brand label. Crafted from premium gold and black thread, this label adds a touch of sophistication to our renowned soft toys.

Though more contemporary in design, it continues to embody our dedication to quality and British craftsmanship.

Once this mark of integrity is attached, each teddy bear is then ready to start its journey as someone's lifelong friend, continuing the magical Merrythought story for another generation...

Specialised Merrythought Labels

Astute Merrythought collectors have likely spotted several other variations of our signature label.

These distinctive labels are often more decorative, and thoughtfully chosen to complement some our most cherished characters...

Hygienic Toys Label

Each detailed recreation within our Heritage Collection is finished with an authentic replica of our earliest ‘hygienic toys’ label - as first introduced during the 1930s.

Union Jack Label

Certain collectable teddy bears, such as those in our Royal Bear Collection, showcase an eye-catching Union Jack label, representing their British-made authenticity.

Anniversary Labels

Merrythought has created special woven labels to mark significant milestones in the company's history and sewn them into important teddy bears that celebrate major occasions, such as the 95th Anniversary Commemorative Teddy Bear.

Alpha Farnell Label

Originally created by Farnell, Edward; Christopher’s Robin's Teddy Bear, famously inspired AA Milne’s ‘Winnie the Pooh’ stories. Farnell made the very first British teddy bear in 1906, and became part of Merrythought's brand catalogue after the company ceased trading in the late 1970s. The Merrythought team has continued producing replicas from Farnell's archives, the most notable being Edward.