Discover the Adorable World of Charlie Bears Collectible Teddy Bears

Introduction to Charlie Bears

Charlie Bears are beloved collectible teddy bears that have brought joy to collectors around the world since their creation by Charlie and Charlotte Morris in 2005. Each Charlie Bear has its own unique character and story behind it, with designs ranging from cute and cuddly to cheeky and quirky. Let's take a closer look at the history and wide range of Charlie Bears available to collectors today.

Origins of Charlie Bears

The first Charlie Bears were designed by Charlotte Morris as a hobby and creative outlet. As a trained graphic designer, Charlotte sketched the first whimsical Charlie Bear designs on paper during her free time. When she showed the sketches to her husband Charlie, he was instantly smitten. Recognizing the potential in Charlotte's heartwarming designs, the couple officially founded the Charlie Bears brand in 2005 in Cornwall, England.

The early years of the Charlie Bears business revolved around Charlotte designing the bears while Charlie handled the operations and production side. Each new Charlie Bear design was lovingly brought to life using the traditional methods of heirloom teddy bear making. The brand's use of luxurious mohair fabrics and quality craftsmanship made the bears stand out in a saturated plush collectibles market.

Growth of Charlie Bears

As word spread about the endearing Charlie Bears designs, the business experienced tremendous growth. By 2007, Charlie Bears were being sold in stores across the UK and demand was increasing rapidly. To keep up with growing customer interest, Charlie Bears moved production to a larger workshop in England that allowed them to increase their output.

Over the next few years, Charlie Bears expanded distribution to Europe, the United States, Australia and beyond. The brand also moved to an even larger headquarters and production facility in Cornwall. While increasing output, Charlie Bears stayed true to their heritage of handcrafting each bear in small batches using quality fabrics.

Today Charlie Bears are sold through a network of authorized retailers around the world. Under the continuing creative leadership of Charlotte Morris, new Charlie Bear designs and characters are introduced frequently to excite and delight collectors.

What Makes Charlie Bears So Collectible?

There are many factors that make Charlie Bears so cherished by collectors of all ages:

Unique Character and Story for Each Bear

Charlie Bears are much more than just teddy bears - each one has its own endearing character and backstory. Charlotte puts a tremendous amount of thought into the inspiration, name and personality of each new Charlie Bear design. Collectors enjoy reading the tale behind each bear almost as much as owning them.

Limited Edition Production

Most Charlie Bears are produced in limited edition runs, ranging from 250 to 5000 pieces for each design. The limited availability increases the collectibility of each Charlie Bear. Once a design sells out, it is retired permanently and will no longer be produced.

Handcrafted Quality

All Charlie Bears are carefully handcrafted using traditional English heirloom teddy bear making techniques. Starting with the finest mohair, each bear is cut, stitched, and assembled by hand in a 25-step process that ensures heirloom quality.

Wide Variety of Designs

With hundreds of different Charlie Bears available, collectors are sure to find designs that appeal to their personal style. There are Charlie Bears to match any interest or decor, from cute and cuddly bears to sophisticated vintage-inspired ones.

Popular Charlie Bear Designs and Characters

Let's take a look at some of the most popular Charlie Bears that collectors seek out:

Dougal

One of the most iconic Charlie Bears, Dougal is a cheeky Highland Terrier dog design first introduced in 2007. His adorable floppy ears and reddish fur make him totally irresistible. The original Dougal design has spawned a whole line of spin-off products like smaller Dougal Cubs versions.

Dudley

Dudley is a sweet Charlie Bear dressed in old-fashioned footman livery, complete with brass buttons and a hat. His cute moustached face and prim uniform give him an air of British sophistication.

Mr. Hobbs

Mr. Hobbs is a charming Charlie Bear dressed as an English gentleman, complete with spectacles and a tweed cap. His friendly demeanor and warm mohair fur make him perfect for cuddling.

Beatrix

Beatrix has a beautiful vintage look and always wears a lovely floral dress. Her sweet face and delicate outfit give her a very feminine and romantic Victorian doll-like quality that collectors adore.

Winston

Winston is one of the most popular Charlie Bears for collectors who love bears dressed in military uniforms. As his name suggests, this bear is clad in an RAF pilot's uniform, complete with leather helmet and goggles.

Where to Purchase Charlie Bears

For collectors interested in starting or growing their Charlie Bears collection, here are some tips on where to buy:

Official Retailers

The best source for purchasing authentic Charlie Bears is through one of their many authorized retailers around the world. Buying from an official retailer ensures you receive a genuine Charlie Bear and also means you can take advantage of exclusive limited editions.

Online Auctions

Sites like eBay and Ruby Lane frequently have listings for retired or hard to find Charlie Bears being resold by collectors. This can be a good route for obtaining older designs no longer available in stores.

Collector Events

Attending a teddy bear collector convention or show is a wonderful way to see Charlie Bears in person and potentially purchase from a dealer's booth. These events often have limited edition Charlie Bears not available through regular stores.

No matter which bear has chosen you, collecting Charlie Bears is a joyful lifelong hobby. From sweet little cubs to sophisticated dressed bears, the hard part is deciding which delightful Charlie Bear to take home next!

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if a Charlie Bear is authentic?

Authentic Charlie Bears will have the Charlie Bears logo embroidered somewhere on the bear as well as an authenticity label sewn into the seam. The label will include details like the bear's name and limited edition number.

How much do Charlie Bears cost?

Prices vary widely based on the bear design, limited edition size and age. In general most new release Charlie Bears range from $100-$300 at retail when first introduced. Older retired bears can sell for significantly more.

How should I care for my Charlie Bear?

It's best to gently surface clean your bears to remove dust or dirt using a lint roller or soft brush. Never submerge them in water. Charlie Bears are solely intended for indoor display so be sure to avoid direct sunlight, heat or humidity extremes that could damage them.

Are Charlie Bears a good investment?

Most collectors view Charlie Bears as treasured keepsakes rather than financial investments. However, certain limited edition or rare designs can appreciate significantly in secondary markets over time, especially if kept in mint condition.

FAQs

What is the most valuable Charlie Bear?

Some of the most valuable Charlie Bears for collectors include limited edition collaborations with brands like Harrods or special 180th anniversary designs released in very small numbers. Individual bears have sold for over $10,000.

How many different Charlie Bears are there?

Since their start in 2005, Charlie Bears has designed over 700 unique teddy bear characters and counting. New designs are frequently introduced each year much to the delight of collectors.

Where are Charlie Bears made?

The vast majority of Charlie Bears are designed and handcrafted at the company's headquarters in Cornwall, England. A small number of designs are produced in China to keep up with demand.

Can you still visit the Charlie Bears studio?

Unfortunately Charlie Bears no longer offers public tours of their Cornwall studio and workshop. This decision was made a few years ago due to the workspace becoming too small and busy.

How can I learn more about collecting Charlie Bears?

The best resource is the official Charlie Bears Collectors Club on Facebook, which has over 25,000 members. The club is run by Charlotte Morris and features frequent updates, exclusive bears, and a community forum.