Channel 24 reports this with reference to Daily Mail.
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According to the expert, the bear is dressed in a homemade military uniform, with a saber and a pistol. His name is Captain Bruini and his story is told on a postcard handwritten by his owner.
It says: “Bruini arrived in Birmingham at Christmas 1908. In 1915 he was transferred to the Salisbury Plain border and joined the army. Using some very dubious maneuvers, he was quickly made a general. He had a motorcycle with a sidecar, wheels which was made from the lids of golden syrup tins. In his right pocket is a driver’s license signed by my father. My cousin Edward, who served in the. Bulford, made his sword from a piece of yew, and Cousin Cecile made him some stylish baggy trousers. I made the rest of his outfit myself, with very limited resources.”
What a rare bear looks like / Photo by Special Auction Services
What makes this bear unique?
Teddy bear specialist Daniel Agnew of Special Auction Services said such gifts for children or loved ones are “fairly common.” But he notes that the bear is Captain Bruini unique because he kept his outfit. Usually after the war it was removed as a bad memory.
The bear will go under the hammer on November 26 at Special Auction Services in Newbury, Berkshire. It is expected to cost around £1,200.
Welcome to World Today News. Today, we have with us two knowledgeable guests to discuss an interesting topic related to World War I and a rare artifact that surfaced recently. First, we have Daniel Agnew, a teddy bear specialist from Special Auction Services, and second, we have Dr. Sarah Stevenson, a historian and World War I expert from the British Museum.
Daniel, you’ve been quoted as saying that this teddy bear is unique because it kept its outfit despite being associated with the war. Can you expand on that and tell us more about what makes this bear different from other Teddy bears of its time?
Daniel Agnew: Well, World War I was a time of great turmoil and change, and for many families, it must have been challenging to hold onto any reminders of happiness or innocence from before the war. However, this teddy bear, Captain Bruini, has kept its uniform and even some of the personal items that were made for it during the war. It’s not just the fact that it kept its uniform; it’s also the story behind it, as told on the postcard handwritten by the original owner. The fact that the bear was owned by a child and went through a family history creates an emotional attachment that transcends the material value of the bear itself. It has a personal story to tell, which makes it unique among other teddy bears of its time.
Dr. Sarah, could you tell us more about this emotional aspect of Teddy bears during wartime? How did they help families cope with separation and loss?
Dr. Sarah Stevenson: Teddy bears have long been seen as symbols of comfort and companionship, and that wasn’t any different during World War I. Families often relied on them to comfort their children, who were often left behind while their fathers went off to fight. These bears held onto the memories of their fathers, uncles, or other male relatives who had gone to war and helped children feel connected to them. They became cherished possessions, full of memories and love, even more so during a time of great uncertainty and sorrow. In many ways, Teddy bears were a link between the home front and the frontlines of the war, providing a sense of continuity and stability for children who were growing up in a world torn apart by conflict.
