Braf von Hazecourt - William Simpson Teddy Bear Collection

Braf von Hazecourt - William Simpson Teddy Bear Collection

This teddy bear was named Braf von Hazecourt and belonged to Mr William Simpson, an avid collector of more than 250 teddy bears. He sits in an orange cardboard box alongside Veronica (HMCMS:D2008.3.31) - in Mr Simpson's words, the bears 'share a "chalet" residence'. Braf has large eyes and a small tail and is adorned with a red plastic pennant with the phrase 'I Love You' printed upon it in white. 

Braf's label indicates that he was made by the British company Russ Berrie but Mr Simpson believes that he was probably manufactured in China. Mr Simpson received Braf as a gift in 1993. The bear's name is a combination of the gift-givers' names (Bruce and Raff Bint) and makes reference to 'the residence [presumably of the gift-givers] in Hayes Court'.