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PepperCat86 Posts: 7

I picked up these two bears at a thrift store last year but I never could identify them.  I've looked in my Teddy Bear encyclopedia book and couldn't figure anything out.  Maybe someone on here can help.

The first bear has absolutely no markings at all.  I found it the same day I found a Steiff at the store but I don't think this is one.
PICT0007.jpg
Then there's this one that has also perplexed me.   Someone wrote on it's foot, but I don't know if that's an artist marking or if someone who owned the bear decided to write on it.. I can't make out what it says and I know you can't see it in the photo so I'll have to take another photo of just it's foot if that will help any.
PICT0002.jpg

If anyone can help I'd appreciate it.  It drives me crazy not knowing who produced my bears.

SueAnn Past Time Bears
Double Oak, Texas
Posts: 21,945

SueAnn Help Advisor, Banner Sponsor

Pepper, the first bear was probably manufactured fairly recently.  Is in really good shape with not much wear.  The second looks to be an artist made mohair bear.  Can you not make out what's written on the foot?  It's likely to be the artist's name.

PepperCat86 Posts: 7

I know the first one is very very similar to the type of teddy bear you can buy at the craft store but my bear is nothing like that one.  her body is hard and her fur looks unlike any thing i've seen on bears made now.

the second bear i can not make out anything really.  it looks like "Se" and then a b or a y, and then de.  I'm not sure if a photo would actually capture the signature at all and then it's dated 1-11-96 bear_wacko

jissy Posts: 70

seabde
seayde

Are letters together to make one word or does it look like they are separate. Don't mind what I wrote up top, it's just for my reference when searching google. :)

would it be possible for you to take as close a picture as you can of the foot and send it to me. I have photoshop and might be able to zoom in even closer to get a better look. PM me if it's too big to put on here. And where was it purchased USA or UK?

PepperCat86 Posts: 7

I'm pretty sure I'm wrong on some of the letters.  Maybe what I thought was a B/Y is actually a P?  This is the best photo I could do.
PICT0001.JPG
I purchased it in the USA.

rowarrior The Littlest Thistle
Glasgow
Posts: 6,212

SE Ronde maybe?  Hope someone can solve the mystery for you!

lapousmor Sophie Z'Ours
Sarthe, France
Posts: 2,770

Could it be Seabonds?


Beary hugs,
Sophie.

jissy Posts: 70

I am unable to see it even in photoshop. I would recommend getting a magnifying glass at the pharmacy should be a $5-$10 and well worth it. Use it on the fabric to see if there is still ink deep in the fabric that you are unable to see with the naked eye. I use this method for searching through ancestry documents and it helps a lot.

Us Bears Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,479

That Casio Exilim camera you use has 12 megapixels.  You should be able to get in good and close with that camera and take a larger picture in good, strong light.  You might have to put the camera in macro mode but you should be able to do it.

With a picture that is compressed and cropped as much as the one you sent, it won't be possible to get a good read on the writing on the Bear's foot, even with Photoshop.

PepperCat86 Posts: 7

How can you tell what camera I'm using??  I just got it not too long ago so I'm not very familiar with it yet, it's unlike the other casios ive owned.  I took three additional photos and I guess I'll just PM them to mommabear without resizing them.  All the photos I've been taking are a lot clearer than what I can make out on the bear with my eyes alone.  I appreciate all the help!

Us Bears Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,479

bear_grin  bear_grin  bear_grin

Everything about your digital camera is encoded into the picture data, even the date and time the picture was taken.

Date Time: 2011:03:14 10:43:37
Make: CASIO COMPUTER CO.,LTD.
Model: EX-S8
Orientation: 1 (Normal)
Resolution Unit: inches
Software:              1.00
X Resolution: 72
Y Resolution: 72
Aperture Value: 3.356
Color Space: sRGB
Compressed Bits Per Pixel: 1.642896
Contrast: Normal
Custom Rendered: Normal process
Date Time Digitized: 2011:03:14 10:43:37
Date Time Original: 2011:03:14 10:43:37
Digital Zoom Ratio: 1
Exif Version: 2.2.1
Exposure Bias Value: 0
Exposure Mode: Auto exposure
Exposure Program: Normal program
Exposure Time: 3 / 10
Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
FlashPix Version: 1.0
FNumber: 3.2
Focal Length: 4.9
Focal Length In 35mm Film: 27
Gain Control: High gain up
ISO Speed Ratings: 200
Light Source: unknown
Max Aperture Value: 3.356
Metering Mode: Pattern
Pixel X Dimension: 310
Pixel Y Dimension: 293
Saturation: Normal
Scene Capture Type: Standard
Sharpness: Normal
White Balance: Auto white balance

It seems like a nice, little camera!  :)
You should have lots of fun with it.

I have more than 80 cameras but only one of them is digital.  bear_happy

Just for information... (not to be critical but just so you understand)...
Notice that the data above includes two lines:

Aperture Value: 3.356

and

Max Aperture Value: 3.356

That means that the lens aperture was open as far as it could go.  The camera was trying to gather as much light as it could but it couldn't open the lens up any farther.  Also notice that the shutter speed was 3/10 of a second.  That's a pretty long/slow shutter speed.  That camera was trying its hardest to gather light for you in order to make a picture.  It seems to have done a nice job of it but, if you give it more light, you'll get an even better image.

Try taking another picture of the Bear's foot next to a window with the sun shining in or put him near a table lamp with a bright light bulb.  Take a few shots from different angles until you find a setup that gives best results.

I'm sure you'll be able to get a good picture of the Bear so we can read the inscription on his foot but, sometimes, you have to play around until you get it right.  I've been known to burn an entire roll of film just trying to get one picture to look the way I want it.  bear_happy

jissy Posts: 70

i received the photos, are you sure the "Se" is really an "S" could it be a "G"?

Karon Posts: 751

The first bear is made by the Shanghi Toy CO.

Thet made bear from the 1960 to the current day

PepperCat86 Posts: 7

Hm, it does look like a G.  Not really sure about the others I think I will look for a magnifying glass.

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