116-year-old teddy bear soldier from World War I to be sold at auction (3 photos)

The teddy bear was given to a Birmingham boy who dressed it in a military uniform when his father went off to war.





The 116-year-old bear was given to a Birmingham boy for Christmas in 1908, but its appearance was transformed in 1915 when the boy's father was called up for military service.

The bear, dressed in a homemade military uniform with a sword and pistol, was meant to "soften the pain of parting," according to an expert.

The story of the bear known as Captain Bruini is told on a handwritten postcard by his owner.

It reads: "Bruini arrived in Birmingham at Christmas 1908. In 1915 he was transferred to the Salisbury Plain border and joined the army. By some rather dubious manoeuvring he was quickly promoted to general. He had a motorbike with a sidecar, the wheels of which were made from the tops of golden syrup tins. In his right pocket he carries a driving licence signed by my father. My cousin Edward, who was stationed at Bulford, made his sword from a piece of yew, and Cousin Cecile made him some stylish baggy trousers. The rest of his outfit I made myself, with very limited resources."



Daniel Agnew, a teddy bear specialist with Special Auction Services, which is selling the rare item, said such gifts for children or loved ones are "pretty common."

But he said Captain Bruini is unique because it still has its costume. It was usually put away after the war as a bad memory.

The bear's owner is unknown and did not sign a postcard with the bear's story. But there are clues, Agnew said.

"We know where they lived and we have a clue as to the father's name - probably Bullwright or Bullwright as he signed his driving licence," the auctioneer said.

The bear was sold at Bermondsey Market in London in the 1970s and belonged to one of the UK's first bear collectors who was gradually selling off his collection.



The bear will go under the hammer on November 26 at Special Auction Services in Newbury, Berkshire. It is expected to fetch around £1,200

A rare teddy bear sewn onto a World War II gas mask case is also up for auction.

They were apparently made in the belief that in an emergency, children might forget their gas mask, but they wouldn't forget their teddy bear.