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The Development of
the Hermann Teddy Trademark
There
were several variations of Bernhard Hermann's factory trademark and
later of the trade name and trademark of Gebr. Hermann KG. Up to the end
of the 1920's these were seen on the company stationery but from then on
they also increasingly appeared as a metal tag and quality symbol
attached to the toys themselves. There are no examples of little tags or woven strips with the company emblem from the years before 1920
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Company Stationary |
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During the course of the company's history there have been different
styles of letterhead, invoices, orders forms etc. one particular style
of lettering, however, was used as a trademark in the 1920s - this was a
combination of Bernhard Hermann's initials. On the letterhead, BEHA was
printed in capitals inside a stylized globe symbol, on top of which a
fox terrier stood. Another letterhead, used for invitations to the
Leipzig Fair, showed a small teddy standing on top of a globe, with the
initials BEHA. A large teddy bear, a cat and a dog on wooden wheels were
grouped around. In the 1930s letterhead with a red symbol appeared, similar to the
seal used today. Diagonally across the centre, black lettering spelled
the word " Teddy", and at the edge were the words " Marke
BEHA bürgt für Qualität " (BEHA stands for quality). In the
second half of the 1940s the wording on the edge of this symbol changed
to " Hermann Teddy bürgt für Qualität" (Hermann Teddy
stands for quality). In the early 1950s this wording was, in turn,
replaced by the trademark "HERMANN Teddy ORIGINAL". The
German patent office accepted
the
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a registered trademark on 27th April 1954, under the reference number 656
702. On 10th August 1970 the words "HERMANN Teddy
ORIGINAL" were likewise registered as a trademark under number 871
752. Apart from changes in the color, from green to red,
both trademarks have been in use up to the present day. |
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Fabric Labels or Flags |
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flags, may also help in determining the exact age of an animal. These narrow
white cotton strips were sewn into the seam of an arm or leg. Until 1980
these flags bore the words " HERMANN Teddy ORIGINAL Made in west Germany",
printed in green. From 1985 the same text was printed in brown with
additional information about the quality and composition of the material.
After 1988 these labels were cream-colored with the trademark and fabric
information woven in red. Rarely do collectors come across comprehensive
catalogues or documentation of old Teddy-Hermann products. Therefore they
are delighted when they can get a hold of and correctly identify an old
Teddy-Hermann animal complete with identification symbol, metal tag or
quality seal. If an old plush animal has no trademark then it might be
difficult for the collector to determine the manufacturer or the age of the
animal. |
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 In
such a case it may promote identification if a small piece of red or
gold-colored Teddy-Hermann cord is still poking out of the chest - this was
where the seal would have been attached. |
| Since 1993 Teddy-Hermann
products have had completely new type of coding. All mohair teddy bears
taller than 20 cm in size have a special identification mark-the well-known
and trusted Teddy seal, a guarantee of quality cast in brass-colored metal,
and complete with a safety catch. This symbol is firmly anchored in the back
of the teddy bear's head. This method prevents forgeries and ensures that
even decades later it will be easy to identify a Teddy-Hermann bear from Hirschard. The unmistakable trademark of the Teddy
Plüschspielwarenfabrik Gebr. Hermann GmbH & Co. KG, Hirschaid is
the teddy seal. For the Hermann teddy manufacturers this seal is not
just a trademark. it also symbolizes a commitment to excellent quality
and tried and tested designs. Those who know and love charming nostalgic
teddy bears welcome the red teddy seal, knowing that it
distinguishes
original products from the many imitations on the market. |
Gold seal on back of head
since 1993
on all bears over 20cms/8" |
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Only Original Hermann Teddy bears carry the red seal |
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