Vintage 1950-1970 SA Made Pale Brown Ark Teddy Bear 85cm High with Faux Leather Paws

THIS IS A CUTE VINTAGE 1950-1970 SOUTH AFRICAN MADE ARK BEAR WITH BEAUTIFUL PALE BROWN MOHAIR FUR. IT HAS THE CLASSIC ARK BEAR BABY FACE WITH FAUX LEATHER PAWS. HANDS AND FEET AND EVEN THE HEAD CAN TURN ALMOST 360 DEGREES AROUND. ARK BEARS HAVE WONDERFUL CHUNKY BODIES WITH CUTE "BABY FACE" EXPRESSIONS WITH CLASSIC V SNOUT AND EARS THAT ARE STUFFED. FAUX LEATHER TYPE PAW PADS ARE CHARACTERISTIC ON ALL ARK BEARS.
 
These Ark Bears are from an era starting in the 1950 and ranging into the 1970s. THIS ARK TEDDY BEAR IS 85CM TALL! THIS IS A VERY RARE SIZE IN ANY BEAR, AND ARK BEARS ARE NOT COMMON EITHER, SO THIS IS A SPECIAL FIND IF YOU LIKE UNUSUAL VINTAGE TEDDIES! 

He is a heavy, large bear, stuffed with solid excelsior in his head, a mix of solid/soft in the tummy, soft arms and legs. 

HIS HEAD IS HEAVY BECAUSE IT IS SO SOLIDLY STUFFED, AND HIS MOHAIR HAS SOME WEAR AS SEEN ON PHOTOS. HE IS STILL QUITE AN IMPRESSIVE BEAR ON DISPLAY! 
 
SIZE: 85CM HIGH 50CM WIDE 20CM DEEP
 
CONDITION: SOME MOHAIR LOSS AND STAINS ON HEAD AND BODY. SMALL TEAR ON BACK OF HEAD. ALL ARMS, LEGS AND HEAD CAN TURN SMOOTHLY. FAUX PAWS STILL IN GOOD CONDITION. IN GOOD VINTAGE CONDITION.
 
MARKINGS: WHATEVER LABEL THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN IS GONE. A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE THOUGH WILL CONFIRM IT IS AN ARK BEAR.
 
ARK BEARS (1950-1970):

Ark Bears Made in South Africa  A Durban industrialist, Mr Aaron Jacobs  together with George Weir established the teddy bear industry in South Africa. A small plant which was called Ark Toys was set up at Escombe Natal in 1951 and sent out thousands of teddies all over the world.
The teddies produced were of a very high standard, mohair came from Britain, the eyes, growlers and squeakers (many Ark bears when pressed or hugged gave a growl sound) came from Germany, the kapok from Ceylon and wood wool from South Africa. Ark Bears became known as one of the great Bear brands with the likes of Steiff and Gund.
The range covered golden teddy bears, panda and koala bears through varying sizes up to the big teddy, which was 1 metre high, yet weighed only 1.4kg. In 1970 George Weir sold the business to Prima Toys Pty. Ltd. a toy company based in Cape Town.
 
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