Plush Bears
Although many people will have first discovered Paddington through reading his books or seeing him on television, there are many others who first came to know him in the form of the soft toy or plush bears.
The very first Paddington plush bears were made by Gabrielle Designs in the UK in 1972. These were followed three years later by the bears made by US company, Eden llc (formerly Eden Toys).
For many years Gabrielle Designs Paddingtons were the only ones which could be bought in the UK, whilst Eden Toys manufactured for the rest of the World. For a while Gabrielle Designs exported their bears and eventually Eden Toys also sold some of their models in the UK.
In 1997 Gabrielle Designs ceased trading and a couple of years later the same thing happened with Eden Toys.
In the last few years licences have been granted to a number of manufacturers throughout the World and so it is now possible to buy quite a few different versions of Paddington.
However, the closest to the original bears from Gabrielle Designs is the traditional Paddington Bear which is now made by the UK based company, Rainbow Designs. And the good news is that if you're looking for replacement clothing for an old Gabrielle bear, then the clothing for this bear is just the right size.
Click here to be taken straight to the Rainbow Designs' website where you can now buy hats, coats and boots separately, as well as the fully-clothed traditional bear itself!
The very first Paddington plush bears were made by Gabrielle Designs in the UK in 1972. These were followed three years later by the bears made by US company, Eden llc (formerly Eden Toys).
For many years Gabrielle Designs Paddingtons were the only ones which could be bought in the UK, whilst Eden Toys manufactured for the rest of the World. For a while Gabrielle Designs exported their bears and eventually Eden Toys also sold some of their models in the UK.
In 1997 Gabrielle Designs ceased trading and a couple of years later the same thing happened with Eden Toys.
In the last few years licences have been granted to a number of manufacturers throughout the World and so it is now possible to buy quite a few different versions of Paddington.
However, the closest to the original bears from Gabrielle Designs is the traditional Paddington Bear which is now made by the UK based company, Rainbow Designs. And the good news is that if you're looking for replacement clothing for an old Gabrielle bear, then the clothing for this bear is just the right size.
Click here to be taken straight to the Rainbow Designs' website where you can now buy hats, coats and boots separately, as well as the fully-clothed traditional bear itself!
Eden Toys bears were made in many different styles, such as this Paddington in a golfing outfit