Details
A Steiff teddy bear
with golden mohair, black boot button eyes, pronounced clipped snout, black horizontally stitched nose, black stitched mouth and claws, swivel head, long jointed shaped limbs and hump --14in. (35.6cm.) tall, circa 1905 (lacks button, pads recovered); and a photograph of the bear with his original family, the Shackleton family
See Colour Plate 4 (2)
with golden mohair, black boot button eyes, pronounced clipped snout, black horizontally stitched nose, black stitched mouth and claws, swivel head, long jointed shaped limbs and hump --14in. (35.6cm.) tall, circa 1905 (lacks button, pads recovered); and a photograph of the bear with his original family, the Shackleton family
See Colour Plate 4 (2)
Provenance
The Shackleton Family Bear
The photograph sold with the bear shows the family of the famous polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton (1874-1922) with this very bear. The photograph was taken in Sandown, Isle of Wight, circa 1905. In the foreground is Ethel Shackleton, who holds the Steiff bear. Behind her is the Rev. Eyres, A West Country clergyman, whom she later married. Standing at the back is Ernest Shackleton. The Shackletons were a colourful family. In addition to Ernest, whose exploits with the Scott expedition and other journeys to the Antarctic made him famous, his brother Frank was involved in a plot in 1907 to steal the Irish Crown Jewels. He was also charge with offences in 1912 with the uncle of the then Duke of Sutherland. Disgraced by his lifestyle and homosexuality, Frank was forced to leave the family and change his name.
This bear and the photograph was acquired by the present owner when one of the Shackleton houses were sold in the early 1970s.
Research at the Archives of Dulwich College provided the above information.
The photograph sold with the bear shows the family of the famous polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton (1874-1922) with this very bear. The photograph was taken in Sandown, Isle of Wight, circa 1905. In the foreground is Ethel Shackleton, who holds the Steiff bear. Behind her is the Rev. Eyres, A West Country clergyman, whom she later married. Standing at the back is Ernest Shackleton. The Shackletons were a colourful family. In addition to Ernest, whose exploits with the Scott expedition and other journeys to the Antarctic made him famous, his brother Frank was involved in a plot in 1907 to steal the Irish Crown Jewels. He was also charge with offences in 1912 with the uncle of the then Duke of Sutherland. Disgraced by his lifestyle and homosexuality, Frank was forced to leave the family and change his name.
This bear and the photograph was acquired by the present owner when one of the Shackleton houses were sold in the early 1970s.
Research at the Archives of Dulwich College provided the above information.
Literature
The Century of the Teddy Bear, Constance King, page 54 & 55