The Second Generation of Merrythought
With ambitions to take Merrythought’s teddy bears to customers around the world, the company grew its sales across Europe and the British Commonwealth. Significant investment was made into the production process to improve efficiency and output, and help meet the increasing demand.
Disney
Merrythought has designed and manufactured an array of famous Disney characters throughout its history, stretching as far back as 1953. These included 'Donald Duck', 'Mickey Mouse', 'Pluto', 'Lady and Tramp',' Bambi' and 'Thumper' to name a few. One rather famous Disney bear, Winnie the Pooh, first appeared in the Merrythought range in 1966, complete with his little red top, and remained in the catalogue for a further decade.
Various other well-known characters also appeared in Merrythought’s collections during this era, such as ‘Sooty’ and Hanna Barbara’s ‘Yogi Bear’.
The Original Cheeky Bear
The Cheeky Bear is a distinctive style of teddy bear that was first created by Merrythought designer Jean Barber in 1955. Appearing in that year’s trial book, then named simply ‘Teddy T’, this smiley bear was described as ‘a completely new bear – Tubby Teddy - very soft stuffed with amber eyes and growls’.
Legend has it that at The British Industries Fair that year, Her Majesty The Queen was introduced to this new ‘Teddy T’, and is said to have exclaimed ‘what a cheeky little bear!’. This unique Merrythought character would thereafter always be known as ‘Cheeky Bear’.
Today’s Cheeky Bears have a unique character that remains true to the original 1950s design, and are loved and collected around the world.
Bernard Trayton Holmes
Bernard Trayton Holmes, son of founder Gordon, joined Merrythought in 1949 and his enterprising and occasionally eccentric character soon started to shape the future of the company. He focused on growing sales, both in Britain and in new export markets, and pushed for greater efficiency in the Merrythought factory to help keep up with the increasing demand and growing range of products. He even purchased a then state of the art, custom-made stuffing machine from the United States, which is still used in the factory today.
Woppit
Merrythought’s Woppit bear, who appeared in the 1956 catalogue, was to find fame as the mascot of land and water speed record breaker Donald Campbell. His little bear, with the slightly adapted name of Mr Whoppit, was at his side in the cockpit of the Bluebird K7 hydroplane boat in 1967, as he tried to become the fastest man across the water Sadly, Mr Whoppit was the only survivor when Bluebird crashed during the 300-mph record attempt, emerging from the wreckage intact and serving as the memento of Campbell’s achievements ever since.
Exhibit Trade Fairs Including British Industries Fair
In 1958, Merrythought was one of only six British companies that exhibited at the Nuremberg trade show in Germany, demonstrating the company’s ambition for exporting to new markets. Merrythought also attended the British Industries Fairs throughout the 1950s, and on one occasion met a particularly discerning visitor, Her Majesty The Queen, who was presented with a Merrythought corgi.
