Century-old teddy sells for four times estimate

A rare century-old teddy bear has been sold at auction for £1,250 - more than four times its auction estimate.

The straw-stuffed bear, thought to have been made by the famous German teddy bear maker Steiff in about 1908, was spotted by the Cotswold Auction Company during an estate clearance.

The 118-year-old bear, which still has a working growl - now described as "more like a squeak" - was expected to fetch between £300 and £500.

Auctioneer Lindsey Braume said: "He was very much in a play-loved condition with straw coming out of his nose and his [fur] was very worn, so we're delighted."

The 60cm (23in) tall bear, stuffed with wood straw, boasts a brown mohair coat and swivel head with jointed limbs.

Despite suffering from "numerous" bald patches, a torn muzzle, and repairs to both pads on his paws and feet, the Edwardian bear attracted a lot of interest ahead of the sale.

Braume described the teddy as "quite a character".

"You don't see the really early bears like this very often," she said.

"He's been very much loved. We think he's been in the same family since he was first bought and just been handed down through the generations."

Despite the bear not having the trademark Steiff button in his ear, Braume said they "very strongly" believe him to be made by the famous German toymaker.

"They often lose [the Steiff button] as time goes on," she said.

"[But] he's got the very typical pointed nose - the typical hump on his back and very long arms and he still has got his growl, which is amazing.

"Before the auction the bidding was at £750 and on the day, it just kept going. It was fantastic."

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