Rare WWI-era teddy bear that comforted boy could sell for £1,200

A rare soldier teddy that comforted a child whose father was leaving to fight in the First World War is looking for a new home.

The 116-year-old bear was first gifted to a boy in Birmingham for Christmas in 1908, but got a makeover in 1915 when the boy's father was called up.

Now dressed in a homemade uniform, complete with sword and pistol, the Steiff bear was meant to 'soften the blow' of parting, an expert said.

Known as Captain Bruiny, the bear's history is described on a postcard, handwritten by the son.

It says: 'Bruiny arrived at Christmas 1908 in Birmingham, He was transferred in 1915 to the border of Salisbury Plain and joined the Army.

'Using some rather questionable manoeuvres he was rapidly promoted to General.

'He had a Motor Bike & Sidecar with wheels made out of Golden Syrup tin lids. He has his driving licence, signed by my Father, in his right hand pocket.

'My cousin Edward, stationed at Bulford, made his sword out of a piece of yew and Cousin Cecile made his stylish baggy trousers.

'The rest of his outfit was made by myself with very limited resources.'

Daniel Agnew, teddy bear specialist at Special Auction Services, which is handling the sale of the item, said such gifts for children or sweethearts were 'fairly common'.

He continued: 'But this is a rare item – often, after the war, any uniform like this would have been removed as a bad memory – people wanted to move on between the wars.

'For the child who owned it, their father was in the British army, so it was very poignant.'

The author doesn't sign his name on the postcard that accompanies the bear and his true identity is unknown.

But there are clues, Mr Agnew said.

'We know where they lived and we have a clue as to the father's name – probably Bulright or Bullwright – as he has signed the driving licence.

'It was sold at Bermondsey market in London in the 1970s, and it's been with one of the first UK bear collectors, who has slowly been selling her collection.'

The bear will go under the hammer on November 26 at the Special Auction Services premises in Newbury, Berkshire, where it is expected to fetch up to £1,200.

A rare Farnell teddy bear stitched to a gas mask case, dating back to the Second World War, will also be up for auction.

These were apparently manufactured in the belief that children might forget their gas mask in an emergency, but they wouldn't forget their teddy.