The Vermont Teddy Bear Company & "Pink" Brand Victoria's Secret Stuffed Fabric Dogs
A new "modern" Teddy Bear collectible genre. The Personalized Teddy Bear! The Vermont Teddy Bear Company pioneered the "Bear-Gram" in 1990 in the USA, as a gift alternative to flowers and chocolates! Speak to a Bear Councilor and order a personalized bear, choosing from over 100 outfits or even having a unique outfit created of your choosing! The bear ships in a box with airholes (so he or she can breathe!) and is accompanied by a handwritten note from a Bear Councilor.
The "Expectant" or "Pregnancy" Bear by The Vermont Teddy Bear Company! She has a special "padding" in the front of her dress!
The Vermont Teddy Bear Company was created in 1981 when 30 year old John Sortino began sewing a cloth teddy on his wife's sewing machine for his newborn son. Later bears were machine washable, had movable arms and legs (jointed) and were cuddly and safe for children. They had "personality"! John was determined there should be American Made Teddy Bears after seeing the plush animals his son had that were made overseas! He sold 50 bears in 1981 and 200 bears in 1982. It wasn't until 1990, when he pioneered the "Bear-Gram", advertised via radio personalities live on air during their shows, that sales really took off for Vermont, with 91% of its orders coming in via telephone on the "Gift Line".
The "Sewing Bear", by The Vermont Teddy Bear Company, her collar embroidered with "Nana", she also comes with a little brooch on her collar of a pair of scissors and a sewing measuring tape head bow!
Enhancing the collectible qualities of their "special bears", Vermont Teddy Bear's eyes have the "Vermont" logo around the iris!
All Vermont Teddies have a life-time warranty! Vermont has their own website and on line retail site, but closed all of their physical stores, now marketing through distribution agreements with several noted Toy Purveyors as well as continuing with their Bear-Gram business. Many bears are totally unique due to special orders! In the 1990's their first factory was one of the top tourist destinations. You could tour the facility and view the different departments that were separated by white picket fences, including a Teddy hospital where bears sporting crutches and bandages sat along side customers' bears awaiting repair.
Another "hot" collectible is the "Pink" Brand fabric stuffed dog by Victoria's Secret Lingerie Stores. First introduced in 2004, they are made as a special issue. A dog may be available to purchase or could be a free promo item seasonally WITH a "Pink" Brand purchase, or when there is a promotional event such as a new store opening or a new product line. The dogs are made in limited quantities and once they are gone, they are gone! Often styles are regional, so collectors can be hot on the trail of that elusive dog!
Essentially featureless, the shape is always the same with cute floppy ears, a perky tail, standing on all fours. No particular breed. No eyes, no nose, no mouth, unjointed and stitched from a printed fabric and stuffed. Mini dogs were also introduced.
A "Pink" Brand Dog, known in collector's circles as "Winter Flannel" stitched from a cosy red and black plaid flannel fabric and wearing a knitted white scarf sporting the "P" logo on the red stripe. He was issued for Winter 2007.
This lucky "Pink" dog has his own back pack/knapsack with a transfer print of the "P" Logo along with his bright yellow fleece scarf. He has collegiate white lettering as his fabric print. He is known as "Phi Beta Pink" and was issued for summer/back to school 2007.
For the Flower Child in you, a chintz floral print fabric dog with "PEACE" in ultra suede letters on each side.
A Patriotic "Pink" dog known as "Vote" with his "Vote Pink" button.
There is very little info/guides out there on the "Pink" dog releases, but make friends with a young "Pink" Brand fan, and you'll get the scoop! They sign up for promo notifications to be informed when the next dog may be issued!
All the items shown can be viewed and purchased at Mandicrafts!
Happy Hunting!
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