拍品專文
Specially produced for the American election in 1913, were the red, white and blue Teddy Bears in the U.S. national colours. Sold under the name 'Bär Dolly' (Dolly-Bear), No.5320. These bears were available in three sizes (10, 12 and 13in.) and manufactured from 1913 until 1916.
The bear is not only rare in his own right, but represents an historically important American election.
Theodore Roosevelt became President of the USA in 1901 on the death of William McKinley. He won in his own right in 1904. When he retired in 1908 his hand-picked successor, William Howard Taft, won the election for President. During Taft's administration he and Roosevelt fell-out over policy on numerous occasion, leaving Roosevelt (still very popular around the country) as a possible front-runner to beat Taft for the Republican Party nomination. However, as Taft was the incumbent President, the Party was not so willing to unseat him, and Taft won the nomination for re-election. Roosevelt went on to form his own Party, the Bull-Moose Party, campaigning feverishly throughout the country, even surviving an assassination attempt where he was shot in the chest. Luckily the thick speech he carried in his jacket pocket absorbed most of the impact of the bullet and he was able to give his speech, only afterwards saying 'Well Gentlemen, maybe now I had better go to the hospital'.
The Democrats in the meantime had nominated an almost unknown New Jersey governor, and ex-Dean of Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson as their candidate. Wilson promised Progressive policies and isolationism. This platform, and the split of the Republicans between Taft and Roosevelt gave the Democrats their first White House victory since 1892, and only their third since before the Civil War. Wilson went on to become one of the most influential Presidents and a campaigner for democracy and freedom
The bear is not only rare in his own right, but represents an historically important American election.
Theodore Roosevelt became President of the USA in 1901 on the death of William McKinley. He won in his own right in 1904. When he retired in 1908 his hand-picked successor, William Howard Taft, won the election for President. During Taft's administration he and Roosevelt fell-out over policy on numerous occasion, leaving Roosevelt (still very popular around the country) as a possible front-runner to beat Taft for the Republican Party nomination. However, as Taft was the incumbent President, the Party was not so willing to unseat him, and Taft won the nomination for re-election. Roosevelt went on to form his own Party, the Bull-Moose Party, campaigning feverishly throughout the country, even surviving an assassination attempt where he was shot in the chest. Luckily the thick speech he carried in his jacket pocket absorbed most of the impact of the bullet and he was able to give his speech, only afterwards saying 'Well Gentlemen, maybe now I had better go to the hospital'.
The Democrats in the meantime had nominated an almost unknown New Jersey governor, and ex-Dean of Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson as their candidate. Wilson promised Progressive policies and isolationism. This platform, and the split of the Republicans between Taft and Roosevelt gave the Democrats their first White House victory since 1892, and only their third since before the Civil War. Wilson went on to become one of the most influential Presidents and a campaigner for democracy and freedom