Teddy Bear Encased
Kolb Bakery Teddy Bear Encased with 1908 Indian Cent. Encasement is Teddy Bear shaped and in relief.
According to ECI (before the site disappeared) there were twelve (12) known "Teddy Bear" shaped encasements. The list was compiled in 8/9/2005 by Cecil Starcher. With the addition of two newly discovered pieces the count is now 14.
Below are imaged of the "Encased Teddy Bear 1909 VDB cent from Teddy Bear Bread". This is the first image I have seen of this piece. Previously it was attributed with a 1910 cent. Perhaps there are different dates for these bears? Also of note are the stars on the feet. You will notice that the High Grade Bicycles Toledo Sporting Goods Co. bear has stars as does the Farmers and Merchants Bank bear. Some do and some don't. Were they made by different manufacturers?
Encased Teddy Bear 1909 VDB cent from Teddy Bear Bread
Images courtesy of Dennis Marsh and to Shawn Johnson Both of New Mexico
High Grade Bicycles Toledo Sporting Goods Co.
Below is the list of known "Encased Teddy Bears". I would be interested in learning the dates of the coins encased in the three "unknown" encased bears and any other information you may have regarding teddy bear encased!
This is a "NEW" Teddy Bear encased.
As of June 23, 2022
Reverse reads: JONES' CREAMOLA TOFFEE - EAT JONES CANDY
Obverse reads: BEAR US IN MIND
To see more information on the Jones Bear click HERE. It is of interest to note that even tough this "Bear" was found in Canada and appears to be aimed at the Canadian market, the cent is US.
This is a "NEW" Teddy Bear encased.
As of August 23, 2012
Reverse reads: Farmers and Merchants Bank / Winchester, IND. / Home Coming Oct. 8-9-10
Obverse reads: BEAR US IN MIND
This Teddy Bear encased was new to me in 2019 .
As of August 23, 2012
Obverse reads: "BEAR US IN MIND" The encasement is without a coin and holed through the bears mouth.
Reverse reads: "TEDDY BEAR BREAD / EVERY BITE A DELIGHT / NUTRTIOUS / DELICIOUS"
I purchased this piece on eBay from an individual who found my site and inquired about my interest in the piece. I believe it is an undiscovered Teddy Bear. First, because the legend on the reverse is new to me and it doesn't fit with the known pieces. It could be from Collin's Baking Co.
as I know nothing more about that one except the name "Collins Baking CO.". I am hoping that someone else can answer that question. It also differs from the other teddys as it is holed through the bear's mouth. This is the only bear I have seen that is holed. It appears to have the same obverse as the other "Teddy Bear" encased. (not counting UCLA) For now, I will not add it to the table below.
| Date | Subject | City, State |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown | BAKER'S PUBLICITY | Kansas City |
| Unknown | ARTHUR FURNITURE | Scribner, NE |
| 1907 | SOUVENIR OF OLD VIENNA | Atlantic, NJ |
| 1907 | SOUVENIR OF NIAGARA FALLS | Niagara Falls, NY |
| 1908 | TEDDY BEAR BREAD - KOLB'S BAKERIES | Philadelphia, PA |
| 1908 | TEDDY BEAR BREAD - WHITE'S MODERN BAKERY | Unknown |
| 1909 | COLLIN'S BAKING CO. | Buffalo, NY |
| 1909 VDB | TEDDY BEAR BREAD - TASTE TELLS THE TALE | Unknown |
| 1909 | JONES' CREAMOLA TOFFEE - EAT JONES CANDY | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| 1910 | STANDARD SIGN MFG. CO | Pittsburgh, PA |
| 1910 | TOLEDO SPORTING GOODS - HIGH GRADE BICYCLES | Toledo, OH |
| 1911 | S.M. WISE GROCERY & MEAT MARKET – FAIRMONT W.VA | Fairmont, WV |
| 1913 | FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANK / WINCHESTER, IND. / HOME COMING OCT. 8 - 9 -10 | Winchester, IN |
| 1913 | PEOPLE'S LOAN & TRUST CO. | Winchester, IN |
| 1913 | PLATT & PERKEY 9.99 CLOTHIERS | South Bend, IN |
| 2005 | UCLA | Los Angeles, CA |
This "Teddy Bear" showed up on eBay several years ago. The "S.M. WISE GROCERY & MEAT MARKET – FAIRMONT W.VA." The obverse has the legend, "BEAR US IN MIND". The cent is a 1911 Lincoln cent. It was a new unknown piece as far as I can tell.
S.M. Wise Grocery & Meat Market Fairmont, W.VA.
I bought this Arthur Furniture Co. Teddy Bear on eBay® without the cent Nov 2012. The reverse has the legend, "Arthur Furniture Co. Scribner, NEBR." and appears to be damaged when the coin was removed or perhaps when someone tried to replace the coin.
Arthur Furniture Co. Scriber, Nebr.
An additional "Teddy Bear", (see below) sold on Ebay 5/20/2012. The encasement is empty and there is no way to tell if it ever had a coin in the encasement. The encasement reads, "Baker's Publicity, Kansas City" "Teddy Bear Bread" on the reverse and "Bear Us in Mind" on the front or the bear. Could this be a "sample"? Was Baker's Publicity responsibility for designing the "Teddy Bear" encasement?
Baker's Publicity Co published a Teddy Bear Bread booklet illustrated by W. W. Denslow the original illustrator of the "Wizard of Oz" in 1909. A copy of that pamphlet is currently offered on Amazon.com for $150.00. W.W. Denslow illustrated material is widely collected. Baker's Publicity Co, Kansas City, MO. is still a registered company in Missouri, (as of 2016) although currently inactive.
"Teddy Bear Bread" "Bakers Publicity, Kansas City" On Right
Teddy Bear bread postcards illustrated by W.W. Denslow
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