The Property of
The late Col. T.R. Henderson
LT. COL. ('BOB') HENDERSON, ROYAL SCOTS
21-5-1904 -- 24-5-1990
Like most boys, my grandfather (or 'Colonel Bob', as he was later to be affectionately called), used to have great fun playing soldiers with his older brother, Charles. It was with great excitement, therefore, when a new playmate was given to Charles for his birthday: a cinnamon Steiff bear called 'Teddy Boy'. The seed was sown. Colonel Bob's fascination for teddy bears had begun: Charles could see how his young brother's devotion to Teddy Boy had grown and, to Colonel Bob's surprise and delight, was handed ownership of this lovely bear.
During his childhood, Colonel Bob's interest in teddy bears increased day by day. Even his military career as small firearms expert in the Royal Scots Regiment, for Montgomery, did nothing to lessen his fascination. In fact, a small teddy bear would always be found in his tunic pocket.
It was on his retirement from army life that he could totally direct himself as a serious arctophile ('lover of bears').
On the birth of my mother, Cynthia (in 1942) Teddy Boy was soon to become her new playmate, and was dressed for dinner one day in a brightly coloured frilly dress: From that moment, 'Teddy Girl' was born, and has been so called to this day.
Colonel Bob had now begun to look into why the teddy bear was such a popular companion for young and old alike, and this directed him to start 'Bear Tracks', the newsletter of the UK branch of the already successful American organisation 'Good Bears of the World' ('GBW'), which, as a non profit-making trust, raises money to send teddy bears to children in hospital all over the world. With its diverse range of members, GBW carries out this work without fuss or favour today. The creator of 'Paddington Bear', Michael Bond, and the late actor Peter Bull, friends of Colonel Bob, were but two fellow arctophiles with whom he corresponded and exchanged thoughts and views on the world of bears.
It was always with great excitement when a visit to my grandfather was arranged when I was young, as this would mean being introduced to the new members of the collection of bears which had now taken over the house in Edinburgh. The total now reaching some 500 or so bears. Even when Colonel Bob travelled to various fairs and bear-related events, 'Teddy Girl' would never leave his side.
In 1990, it was with great sadness that I received the news of my grandfather's death. I was living in Australia at the time, and decided that the bears should all join me there. So, with each bear having a ticket, the Henderson Collection went to Australia by sea. 'Teddy Girl' travelled by air, looking out of the window in anticipation of making many new friends 'Down Under'.
'Teddy Girl' and the rest of the collection had been in Australia for three years when the time came for me to return to England, the place where they had brought such pleasure and interest to all they had met.
It is with this thought in mind that I hope that 'Teddy Girl' and the rest of the Henderson Collection will bring pleasure and friendship to other arctophiles and collectors, so that they too will be able to share in the fascination which filled and enriched the life of my grandfather....
'COLONEL BOB HENDERSON'
GOOD BEARS OF THE WORLD
Everyone loves a teddy bear, but Good Bears of the World know exactly what a friend a teddy bear can be.
Started in Great Britain early in the 1970s by the late Col. T.R. Henderson in Edinburgh, Good Bears of the World (UK) Trust now based in the south England, although their membership is countrywide.
On request, Good Bears of the World send good bears to sick, injured or disturbed children, the lonely, elderly or infirm.
Hospitals, Hospices, Macmillan Nurses and many Emergency Services encounter situations where the gift of a bear can bring instant comfort.
In their own small way Good Bears of the World aim to bring a little happiness into a sometimes sad and distressing world.
Good Bears of the World think the love of a teddy bear is forever.
A Continental teddy bear teapot
Details
A Continental teddy bear teapot
holding spout between his paws, seated dressed in pink top and black trousers --7½in. (19cm.) tall, 1930s with black and white photograph of Col. T R Henderson, Teddy Girl, teapot in foreground and other items from his collection
See Illustration (2)
holding spout between his paws, seated dressed in pink top and black trousers --7½in. (19cm.) tall, 1930s with black and white photograph of Col. T R Henderson, Teddy Girl, teapot in foreground and other items from his collection
See Illustration (2)