Our glossary is still growing, if there is anything
you would like included do let us know and we will add it as soon
as possible. To quickly scroll through our glossary select the first
letter of your word .....
| A |
|
| Acrylic |
A synthetically produced fibre. Acrylic (polymethyl
methacrylate) was developed after World War II for use in Courtelle,
Dralon and other synthetic fabrics. The resultant fabric woven
from acrylic fibres is very soft and warm. |
| Alpaca |
The alpaca is a small llama. It's long, strong, fleece produces
a soft and woolly fabric. |
| Antique |
This varies: for taxation purposes importing goods to UK items must be 100+ years old. However, since the 1980's most regard goods made before WWII (1940) as antique. |
| Arctophile |
Someone who loves and usually collects teddy bears. The term is derived from two Greek words: arctos (bear) and philos (love). |
| Artificial Silk (Art-silk) |
A man-made fibre, invented in the 1880's and first used in
the toy industry at the end of the 1920's. |
| B |
 |
| Boot Buttons |
In the 19th and early 20th centuries shoes and boots were
usually fastened with black buttons (made from wood pulp). These
were often used as eyes in early teddy bears. |
| Burlap |
Also known as hessian. A course fabric fabric woven from jute
and used for some early stuffed toys. |
| C |
|
| Center Seam |
When used in relation to a rare, early Steiff bear. To use
material economically Steiff cut six teddy bear heads from one
length of mohair, a seventh head was then cut in two pieces
and sewn together forming a seam down the centre of the bears
face. |
| Cotter Pin |
A two-pronged metal pin used to fasten the disc joints which
allow teddy to move his arms, legs and head. |
| Cotton Waste |
The waste from the manufacture of cotton was used as stuffing
during World War II when other materials, such as kapok, were
not available. This waste is also known as "sub". |
| E |
|
| Excelsior |
US trade name for wood shavings or wood wool which was used
to stuff teddy bears. |
| F |
|
| Fairy Foam |
Foam used as a stuffing material during 1960's. |
| Felt |
A matted woollen fabric frequently used for teddy's paw and
foot pads. |
| G |
|
| Golden Teddy Awards |
The number of bear artists increased significantly during
the 1980's and 1990's. Their contribution was recognised when
the Golden Teddy awards were introduced in 1987. Robin Rive
has been nominated for and received a number of Golden Teddy
awards. |
| Growler |
A "voice-box" usually fitted in teddy's tummy but
sometimes in his side which is activated by tipping him forward
or backwards. |
| H |
|
| Hump |
A pronounced lump on the back of a bear, first used by Steiff
but copied by other manufacturers. Most often seen on early
bears. |
| Hug |
A collection of teddy bears. |
| I |
|
| Inset Muzzle |
The bears nose and muzzle is made from a separate, often different,
piece of fabric to the rest of the head/face. |
| J |
|
| Jointed |
Generally discs are inserted at each arm, leg and at the neck
allowing movement. In the late 1950's bears without joints were
produced which allowed them to be easily washed. |
| K |
|
| Kapok |
A light-weight, hygenic and soft stuffing material mainly
used in the 1920's and 1930's |
| L |
|
| Layaway |
A service whereby, once a deposit has been paid, the seller
will keep an item for an agreed period of time during which
the balance is paid by instalments. Tell me more about
layaway. |
| M |
|
| Mohair |
Originally yarn or cloth made from the fleece of an angora
goat but today it may be a wool and cotton mix. |
| P |
|
| Pads |
"Paw" pads are those at the end of the "arms"
of a teddy bears. "Foot" pads are those on the soles
of the feet. Pads are usually made of felt, but may also be
made of rexine (for teddy bears made in 1940's or later), leather
or cotton. |
| R |
|
| Replica |
In the 1980's manufacturers, such as Steiff, began making
copies of their antique teddy bears. Often replica's are made
in limited editions. |
| Rexine |
The tradename for a leathercloth made by covering a woven
cloth with cellulose nitrate. Used on British bear paw and foot
pads from the late 1930's to early 1960's. |
| Rod Bear |
A bear with metal joints that run through the body. Introduced
by Steiff and used in their very early bears. |
| S |
|
| Sealing Wax |
Used to make moulded noses for teddy bears. |
| Stick bear |
An inexpensive bear, with thin limbs, made in the USA. |
| Squeaker |
A voice box, frequently fitted in teddy's tummy, which emits
a sound when pressed. |
| Sub |
Stuffing made from cotton waste and used during World War
II when other materials, such as kapok, were not available. |
| Swing Tag |
A thin card tag attached to a bear or hung around it's neck
to identify the manufacturer. These were usually removed by
parents. See the Chad Valley section of our Encyclopaedia for
some examples. |
| T |
|
| Toby Award |
The number of bear artists increased significantly during
the 1980's and 1990's. Their work was recognised when the Toby
(Teddy Bear of the Year) was introduced in 1990. |
| U |
|
| Ultrasuede |
US tradename for a soft, synthetic fabric, developed in late
1960's/early 1970's, similar to suede. |
| V |
|
| Vintage |
There is no official definition of "vintage" but we regard bears made between 1940 and 1980 as vintage. |
| W |
|
| Webbed Claws |
The four or five large stitches which form the paw claws are
linked with a strand of thread to produce a webbed effect. This
was used by Farnell and Merrythought in 1930's. |
| Wood-wool |
Long, very fine wood shavings used for stuffing teddy bears.
Also known as excelsior. Makes a scrunching sound when pressed. |
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