Chiltern and Chiltern type
Chiltern or Chiltern Toy Works started in Chesham in Buckinghamshire in 1908 by Joseph Eisenmann. The first teddy was produced in 1915. When Joseph died in 1919, the factory was left to Leon Rees, his son in law. Leon moved to Waterside in Chesham a year later and in partnership with Harry Stone formed H.G. Stone and Co. Ltd. They opened a second factory in Tottenham, London in 1921.
One of the most popular Chiltern teddy bears was the Hugmee range of bears introduced in 1923. A year later in 1924, Chiltern Toys was registered. Manufacturing moved to Amersham, Bucks and continued producing bears until the factory’s closing in 1960.
Chiltern bears are identified by:-
- Chiltern Hugmee 1923 onwards
- Labels from 1940
- Early 1920s bears clear glass eyes-tipped mohair-4 stitches paws, 5 pads
- Nose stitching vertical with end stitches going upwards
- 1930 Velveteen carded feet-4 stitches on paws and 4 on pads in pairs
- 1940 Flat Faced Hugmee to save material-not always claws
- 1950 Red, blue and black printed labels
There is a school of thought that says that some of the bears with very long upward end stitches may not be Chilterns but Merrythoughts.
The Chilterns have carded velvet or canvas pads, whereas the Merrythoughts have felt or canvas pads.(Pam Pudvine)
To find bears for sale, go to the Search box and type "Chiltern for sale"