This beautiful original 1974 Gabrielle Paddington Bear is a collectible vintage toy that captures the charm of the beloved character created by Michael Bond. Made by Gabrielle Designs, this bear was crafted with high-quality materials and has had only a single owner since new and is in excellent condition.
This lovely Gabrielle designs Paddington stands out for its classic appearance and craftsmanship, which reflects the character’s whimsical yet endearing personality. Paddington features his iconic blue coat, red hat, Dunlop wellington boots, along with his signature label that reads “Please look after this bear. Thank you.” Paddington stands at around 48cm (19 inches) tall, 36cm (14 inches) wide paw to paw and weighs 1.43Kg.
Gabrielle Designs was started in Doncaster by Jeremy Clakson's mum Shirley Clarkson from her home in Doncaster, England. As a gift for her children Shirley would lovingly craft that year's toy of choice and having recently read and loved Michael Bond's new book about a 'delightful little bear called Paddington' Shirley knew at once that was to be this year's toy. Not only that but once the first bear had been put together from studying the original drawings, she knew it was going to be a Gabrielle product. After some negotiations with lawyers representing Michael Bond Gabrielle Designs was granted the first licence to manufacture a Paddington Bear soft toy.
As a piece of nostalgia, this beautiful Bear is highly sought after by collectors and fans, representing a timeless link to childhood and the adventures of Paddington in London. Whether you’re a serious collector or just love the character, these bears are a wonderful piece of history.
