Dean's
The history of DEAN'S Teddy Bears U.K.
DEAN’S Teddies can look back on more than 100 years of history. In fact, it is over 120 years since the company was founded in London by a children’s book publisher that has been successful since 1711. Since its foundation in 1903, DEAN’S has been a leader in the development and manufacture of toys. It was also the first British company to produce teddy bears, probably from 1906, with records dating back to 1915. There was a development that suited the British company. During the Second World War, toys and therefore the beloved teddy bears from Austria and Germany were no longer available. DEAN’S successfully closed this gap in the market.
The company produced a variety of toys: books, beautifully designed dolls, teddy bears and even Mickey Mouse and other figurines. Yes, DEAN`S was the first licensee and manufacturer of Disney figures marketed in the UK by the Walt Disney Company in America in the 1930s.
An up and a down
But history has not always been kind to the island’s traditional bears. Since the 1980s, toys have been imported from the Far East, making British production uncompetitive. Hard times began for DEAN’S, but also for many other manufacturers. In 1988, Neil and Barbara Miller bought the company. Their aim was to make the company successful again in the popular collectible bear sector. The DEAN’S teddies were now all limited editions, which were kept very low. Thanks to the new owners, DEAN’S Teddy Bears U.K. has become one of the UK’s most popular teddy bear manufacturers.
In 2018, the furry friends from Great Britain found a new home. Clemens Spieltiere took over the Dean’s brand and is committed to continuing it in line with its origins. This brought new life and fresh energy to the traditional brand—a new beginning was made. The connection to Clemens Spieltiere opened a new chapter; the blank pages are slowly being filled, and the book is far from finished.
Get an insight into the world of DEAN`S teddy bears
