I’ve shared a special connection with Effanbee since September of 2020, when I purchased a bear I’ve nicknamed Fergus. He was the first American teddy bear to join my collection, notable for its original Effanbee label sewn over its paw pad. This label captivated me and ignited my passion for researching early American teddy bear makers. I thought it was only fitting that the first post on Teddy Americana be dedicated to Effanbee.
The Great Patricia Schoonmaker
I soon discovered that the definitive guide on all things Effanbee was Patricia Schoonmaker’s book, EFFANBEE DOLLS: The Formative Years 1910-1929. After reading it, I was amazed by the depth of her research and felt a strong desire to meet her in person. To my sorrow, I learned she had already passed away. Her work remains invaluable decades after its publication and continues to inspire me. Don Jenson, author of The Collector’s Guide to Horsman Dolls, described Patricia as “a dear friend and mentor, who showed me how to do doll research the right way.” That quote has stayed with me throughout the years.
The Growling Teddy: At a Glance
In Patricia’s book, I compared labels from a photograph of a doll named ‘Whistling Jim.’ The labels share the same style, helping to narrow the origin date of my bear to that period. The book also includes a copy of the original 1915 Effanbee catalogue, featuring photos of their stuffed toys and teddy bears, with a special mention of bears that growl.
Although the Effanbee bear boasts an impressive appearance in its near-mint condition, it feels fragile to the touch—likely crafted from less durable materials. The mohair and felt paw pads feel thin and delicate. While it aims to resemble its German counterparts, the quality of materials used is noticeably inferior. It’s no surprise these bears are incredibly rare; many likely didn’t withstand the test of time. The surviving examples were probably never handled or played with by children.
One superior feature of the Effanbee teddy is its use of a growler, which was not a common practice among American manufacturers at the time. Squeakers are much more common as they were likely cheaper and easier to source. Growlers are most often associated with German bears.
My Quest to Find Others
After my initial research into Effanbee, I was eager to discover more early Effanbee teddy bears and novelties. I even placed wanted ads in several teddy bear groups on Facebook. Early on, I was able to find a bear that had sold at auction (photo left). It still had the Effanbee paw pad label, but was in poor condition, making its features difficult to compare for identification.
At the top of my ‘grail list’ was Sammie, the “Win The War” mascot. For years, I searched for a bulldog with an eye patch but came up empty-handed.
December, 2025: Month of the Effanbee
2025 was a difficult year for me. In June, I lost my sweet, perfect, heart kitty Bob, after a months long illness. Three weeks later, my father very unexpectedly passed away. I took a step back from the bears for some time to grieve. Yet, there is something about a teddy bear that is good for the soul. I soon found myself back searching auctions and continuing my research, as it was a good way to keep my mind occupied.
By that time I’d put Effanbee on the back burner to spend time on other manufacturers. In December, I was scrolling through eBay when an auction listing caught my eye. A comical chubby white dog with brown spots. The expression on the face with the unusually stitched mouth made me do a double take. Though the eye-patch was missing, the rest of the features matched to ‘Sammie’. It had never occurred to me to look for one without the eye patch.
Similarities include the nose and unusually stitched mouth, remnants of a tongue, the standing left ear with remnants of thread where the eye patch would have been attached, and the placement of the brown spots on the mohair. Although it is hard to see in the photo, there is an outline around the neck where the mohair is pressed flat, where the collar would have sat. Sammie sits approximately 8.5” tall and would have likely been the middle to large size. The sizes were not mentioned in the ad so I can only guess. I was beyond excited to add Sammie to my collection and put a checkmark by his name on the grail list!
Unbelievably, just a week later, a new auction listing was added for a familiar looking teddy bear. Though there was no ID, I could tell immediately that it was an Effanbee growling teddy. The growler wasn’t mentioned in the listing, but I confirmed with the seller that the bear would make an internal ‘klunk’ when turned upside down.
It’s absolutely incredible to find a bear in a completely different colour. My original Effanbee bear was made of gold mohair with a black applied fabric nose, black mouth stitching, and dark beige felt paw pads. The second Effanbee bear is made of a lovely creamy white mohair with a brown applied fabric nose, brown mouth stitching, and light cream coloured felt paw pads. Both bears have glass eyes, the same cupped ear shape, no claw stitching, a curvy back with a hump, gently curved arms, and of course, the rare feature of an internal growler. Though the photos are a little deceiving, there is only a 1/2 inch size difference between the two with the gold bear measuring 13.5” and the white bear measuring 14”.
Do you have an early Effanbee teddy bear in your collection? Get in touch, I’d love to see it!
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