UK NEWS

HEIRLOOM THAT GIVES THE BEAR NECESSITIES

Jasmine Pearce and the bear

Saturday May 17,2008

By Nick Fagge

TEENAGER Jasmine Pearce is hoping her rare 100-year-old teddy bear that has been in the family for generations will help fund her university education.

Family heirloom Ted will go under the hammer on Tuesday with a target price of £5,000.

The German Steiff bear was a fifth birthday present for her great-great-great aunt Maud Davies in 1905 who kept it until her death 12 years ago.

She had a soft spot for Jasmine and her wish was that the bear should one day be sold to go towards Jasmine’s college expenses.

Jasmine, 17, of Honeymead, Somerset, is to study marketing at the University of the West of England. She said: “I was five when Aunt Maud died but I remember she always had her teddy with her whenever we visited.”

Her mother Jayne Chanter said: “It’s a lovely story. The bear was very special but Aunt Maud wasn’t at all sentimental and she knew exactly what she wanted to happen to him after she was gone.”

He’s in remarkably good condition for his age

Valuer Malcolm Claridge

The bear hit the headlines when it was stolen from Maud’s room at a care home in Wells, Somerset, only to be returned to the doorstep a week later.

It is up for auction at Dreweatts in Bristol. Valuer Malcolm Claridge said: “He’s in remarkably good condition for his age. He could fetch more than £5,000.”