Patriotic Teddy Bears Celebrate the 4th of July

By Roy Nuhn

As seen in The Antique Shoppe Newspaper, July 2008

Among the dozens of postcard sets - and hundreds of singles - published prior to 1914 that reflected America's love affair with teddy bears, quite a few sparkle red, white and blue. Teddies are portrayed acting patriotically by dressing up as Uncle Sam, waving Old Glory and joyfully celebrating the country's premier historic day.  

"The Roosevelt Bears" were especially active. But only in the two variations of the second set (1907), numbered 17-32, are found the four cards portraying their 4th of July activities. Five, if you count No. 32, showing the Roosevelt Bears meeting President Teddy Roosevelt. The patriotic four are numbered 17 to 20 and come with and without verses.  

The frolicking, curious Roosevelt Bears are pictured enthusiastically celebrating Independence Day with fireworks, including an illustration of their lighting a giant cracker. The bears also ring the Liberty Bell - no mean trick when you consider that no one had been able to do that for well over a half-century.  

Cracker Jack Bears, though very busy advertising their molasses-flavored popcorn treat, also found time to visit Teddy Roosevelt in Washington, D.C., and to take a trip to the statue of Liberty in New York City. Two patriotic episodes out of 16, the number of cards in the set, is not a bad effort: three, adding in the tour they took of a United States Naval man 0' war on display at the Jamestown Exposition in Virginia.  

Of all the other major teddy bear sets of the era, such as Tuck's "Little Bears, "Teddy Bears at the Seaside" and "Bears At Play": Ullman's many sets: Rose Clark's artwork for Rotograph and Heal's "Days of the Week, " only one included illustrations of teddy bears involved in any sort of patriotic activity.  

This exception is one of the sets in the 97 series by Tower M & N Co., New York City. Set number 97-4, consisting of five. postcards, is devoted entirely to glorifying America with its captions, such as "'Hurrah' for the American Eagle" and "Did you every wear stripes?" All of the cards have messages ballyhooing the united States. The artist-drawn bears are seen somewhat posed and waving their hands.  

Additionally, within the Independence Day category itself, several patriotic teddy bear postcards await collectors.  

Ullman's Series 124, done by Bernhardt Wall, includes a great scene of a mischievous bear, tightly holding onto a rocket, about to light a large firecracker. Titled "Wishing You a Glorious 4th," it is part of a group of six. Ullman, of course, also marketed several regular teddy bear sets - such as "Romantic Bears" and "Sporty Bears," etc. - that are today still held in high regard by collectors. Ullman apparently had a preference for publishing illustrated postcards picturing lovable and cute bruins.  

An extremely rare postcard was distributed by Franz Huld, an important printer and seller in the earliest years of the 20th century. "Uncle Teddy" depicts a teddy bear dressed up as Uncle' Sam.

Modern era postcards of teddy Bears, most of them continental size chromes, have been published in great quantities since the 1960s. Part of this vast output has included a small number with patriotic themes.  

Exclamation Co. had one showing two Teddies in front of a bear statue of Liberty (1980s). In a set of 24 bear postcards released by Ted Menten is a very patriotic teddy standing next to 50-star flag. Within the Dover Co. sets of the same decade were also a few flag waving, patriotic bears.  

The Teddy bears, inspired by one of this nation's most popular presidents, were born during a time of extreme patriotism. No small wonder then that at least a few postcards blending them with a celebration of our republic were produced.

Chrome from set of 24 by Ted Menten (1985).

From the 4th of July set designed by Bernhardt Wall and published by Ullman Mfg. Co. (Series No. 124, circa 1908).

Part of the five-card set of patriotic teddy bears (Number 97-4) by Tower M & N Co. (1907).

**NOTE: ANTIQUE SHOPPE NEWSPAPER DOES NOT SELL ANTIQUES OF ANY SORT. WE ARE STRICTLY A PUBLISHING COMPANY AND PRINT ARTICLES ON VARIOUS ANTIQUES**