Treasures from deepest, darkest Peru

• Gabrielle Designs 1970s Paddington Bear
• Steiff Paddington bear
• Eden Toys Paddington Bears
• Paddington Bear Sterling Silver Charms
• Vintage Paddington Bear Books
• Paddington Bear 50p Coins
• Paddington Bear Stamps
• Paddington In Peru

Good day! It’s Paddington Bear here, from deepest, darkest Peru! I’ve heard there’s another adventure of mine coming to your big screen this November, and it has made me think about all the wonderful bits and bobs of memorabilia that have been collected over the years. Aunt Lucy always says it’s important to look after your treasures, and it turns out that some people really do take this to heart, so much so that some of these items are now quite valuable indeed. Come along, and let’s take a look at some of the special things that collectors have been gathering over the years - from my original duffel coat to shiny 50p coins, there’s rather more out there than just marmalade sandwiches!

Gabrielle Designs 1970s Paddington Bear

Well, I must say, it’s quite amazing to think that one of the most beloved items among all the Paddington memorabilia is the Gabrielle Designs version of me from the 1970s. You see, back then, there wasn’t a proper bear that looked like me, so a very kind lady named Shirley Clarkson decided to take matters into her own hands. She made the very first bear version of me as a present for her children, and it was such a success that it soon became official. Each bear was carefully handmade by Shirley and her team at Gabrielle Designs in the UK. They were quite thorough, making sure that each one had my signature duffel coat, hat, and, of course, my trusty boots. What makes these bears particularly special is the love and care that went into every stitch and button. Unlike some of the later versions made by Eden Toys, which were mass-produced in America, the Gabrielle bears were truly one-of-a-kind because they were made in smaller numbers, and each bear had its own unique character.

These Gabrielle bears are quite rare nowadays, especially if they’re in good condition. I hear collectors are quite keen on them, particularly if they still have all their original pieces - my hat, my duffel coat, and the special tags that say ‘Please look after this bear. Thank you.’ And, oh, the Aunt Lucy bears - you may not know this, but Aunt Lucy was the one who taught me everything I know about being polite and kind, so it’s wonderful to see that people value her versions even more. Apparently, those Aunt Lucy bears are even rarer. It’s remarkable to think that a bear who loves nothing more than a marmalade sandwich could end up being so precious to so many people.

Steiff Paddington bear

Oh, the Steiff bears are rather grand, aren’t they? The Steiff company made some very special bears that look just like me, and apparently, they are highly prized among collectors. I’ve heard that a Steiff bear made in 2014, one of those rare limited edition ones, is worth as much as £2,500. It’s all because Steiff is known for making bears with great attention to detail, and they made only a small number of them. I suppose having one of those Steiff versions must feel rather nice, although I’m quite happy just with my hat and coat.

One thing that makes the Steiff Bears so unique is the level of detail they put into everything. You see, each bear is made with such care, from the fabric of my duffel coat to the exact tilt of my red hat. I’ve even heard that the Steiff bears have a tiny golden button in their ear, which is a special mark of quality. Apparently, they’ve been putting those buttons in the ears of their bears for over a century, as a way of showing that each bear is a genuine Steiff bear.

Eden Toys Paddington Bears

Eden Toys made their own version of me for all my friends in America back in the 1970s. Those bears were made in much bigger numbers, so they might not be as rare as the ones Shirley Clarkson made, but they’re still quite special. If you have an Eden Toys Paddington Bear in good condition with my hat, boots, and duffel coat, it could still be worth quite a bit I’m told. It’s wonderful to know that people still treasure these bears, even after all these years. It’s lovely to think that even after all these years, people still treasure these bears. It makes me feel like I’m still part of many childhood adventures.

Paddington Bear Sterling Silver Charms

I must say, I’m quite flattered that people want to wear a little version of me around their necks or on their wrists. There are quite a few types of Paddington Bear jewellery out there, and they’re all rather charming. Most of them are made from sterling silver, with some crafted in gold, and they feature me in all sorts of poses - sometimes standing with my suitcase, other times wearing my hat or holding a marmalade sandwich. These pieces often come as pendants, charms, or brooches, making lovely keepsakes and are quite treasured by those who love a bit of Paddington to brighten up their day.

Vintage Paddington Bear Books

Ah, books! Where would I be without Mr. Michael Bond’s stories? The very first book about me, A Bear Called Paddington, can be worth a small fortune if you have an original edition. It’s quite amazing to think that people treasure those old books so much. It makes me feel rather honoured, really. And even some of the other early books, like More About Paddington, are quite valuable too - it just goes to show that my adventures have been enjoyed by many, and for that, I am very grateful.

And it’s not just the first book that people love. I’ve heard that some of the other early books in the series, like More About Paddington, are also quite valuable. I think that’s because each book is filled with new adventures and mishaps like the time I tried to make my own wallpaper or when I helped Mr. Gruber with a rather puzzling mystery. I must admit, I never quite expected that my little stories would become so cherished. It makes me feel very honoured to know that people continue to enjoy my adventures with the Browns, Mr. Gruber, and all my other friends in London. 

You know, I sometimes wonder how Mr. Bond managed to come up with all those adventures for me. I suppose it helps that I seem to find myself in all sorts of curious situations without even trying. But I think the most wonderful thing about the books is how they remind people to be kind, to look out for others, and, of course, to keep a jar of marmalade handy for emergencies.

Paddington Bear 50p Coins

Did you know I’m even on a coin? The Royal Mint made some special Paddington Bear 50p coins, and there was quite a stir when one of them was accidentally released a bit early. One person even sold theirs for £16,000! Imagine that - enough marmalade sandwiches to last a lifetime! Most of the coins aren’t quite that valuable, but they are lovely to collect, and I’m told they might be worth more in the future.

There were a few different designs, and they all show me enjoying my adventures around London places like Paddington Station, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, and even the iconic St. Paul’s Cathedral. I think it’s lovely that these coins celebrate all the places I’ve grown to love here in Britain. The designs are very detailed too—you can see me standing proudly in my duffel coat and hat, sometimes with my suitcase, sometimes waving hello. Being a part of British currency really makes me feel like I belong here. After all, Mr. and Mrs. Brown took me in at Paddington Station, and London has been my home ever since. It’s quite special to think that now I’m on something that represents Britain itself. I suppose it just goes to show that even a small bear from darkest Peru can become a part of something much bigger, especially with a little kindness and a good supply of marmalade!

Paddington Bear Stamps

It seems I’ve also made my way onto stamps as Royal Mail released some special Paddington Bear ones. Their presentation packs are wonderful collectables, and they’re a lovely way to keep a bit of my history alive. I believe they cost between £10 and £20 now, but who knows how much they could be worth one day? It’s rather exciting, really, being on a stamp and helping letters travel all around. Imagine travelling across the country, perhaps even the world, on the corner of an envelope. Quite the adventure, really!

Paddington In Peru

Well, friends, it seems that from toys to books to coins and beyond, there’s an awful lot of Paddington memorabilia out there.  As it happens, I’m embarking on a new adventure very soon in my next film, Paddington in Peru. And you’ll never guess - I now have an official British passport, issued by none other than the Home Office itself! The film team wrote to them, and they decided to give me an official passport so I could travel back to Peru to visit my dear Aunt Lucy. 

I must say, getting a passport makes me feel very much a part of Britain. After all, I’ve called London my home since 1958, and I’ve always tried my best to be a good bear—although, of course, there have been a few sticky situations, involving marmalade or ketchup! So, thank you to everyone who has followed along with my adventures and welcomed me into your homes.