In a time when auctions routinely realize five and six-digit prices for fine examples of antique bears, it is hard to imagine what just a few cents could afford during the early years of teddies.  In 1907, Delineator Magazine advertised a promotion offering a free 12-inch jointed teddy bear as a premium for achieving six completed sales of printed pillow tops ...at 25 cents each.  The follow year, the purchase of three new yearly subscriptions to The Housekeeper at 60 cents each garnered a free 10-inch bear in a choice of brown or white fur.  Often it was simply the cost of postage or the purchase of an affordable item and a brand new, mohair bear would be the free prize.  The advertisers that offered these toys were rarely in the business of selling teddy bears, but quickly realized the interest of its customers in this new toy.  What company could deny the power of the teddy bear in merchandising and promotional campaigns?

As the 1920's arrived, advertisements readily offered bears directly to the public through catalogs such as Montgomery Ward and Sears, where it was possible to buy a 19-inch, ride-on, growling plush bear-on-wheels for the delivered price of $5.98!  Of course if preferred, an entire dozen of Schuco Flask Bears or Monkeys could be purchased for only $4.75!

A scan of some of these fantastic sales ads is included below:









Credits:  Pamela Wooley, Teddy Bear Review, 2002