Teddy bear, 'Rupert Bear' ('Tu') by Merrythought, a limited edition No. 03359, bought at the factory shop in 2000, factory code AY181D, made from the company's original 1932 archive pattern, illustrated label giving a brief history of the cartoon character from the Daily Express, swivel head and jointed limbs - paws have 'thumbs', traditional yellow and black checked cotton trousers and scarf, red top with red studs at back, white plastic lace-up shoes with white laces.
Mr Simpson's note reads: Bought new (2000) from the Teddy shop in the Merrythought Factory complex at Ironbridge. He has been given the suffic "Tu" to distinguish him from my orginal Rupert. His code number in the Merrythought lists is AY181D.
Rupert the bear first appeared as a comic strip character in the 1920's for the Daily Express to help draw more readers to them and away from rival newspapers.
