Boots: The Little Bear Who Walked Through History

Some teddy bears become treasured because of who loved them.

Others become treasured because of where they've been.

And then there are those very special bears who are remarkable for both.

We're delighted to introduce Boots, one of the oldest and most fascinating bears in our growing collection of antique teddy bears here at Asquiths.

A Bear More Than 115 Years Old

Boots was made in Germany around 1910, placing him among the earliest generations of teddy bears ever created. At well over 115 years old, he has witnessed two World Wars, countless changing fashions, and generations of collectors who have cherished him along the way.

Despite his age, Boots still has an unmistakable character.

His warm golden mohair, expressive black boot-button eyes, pronounced clipped muzzle, gently sloping hump and elongated limbs all speak of the craftsmanship that made early German teddy bears so distinctive.

Like every antique teddy bear we welcome to Asquiths, Boots wears the gentle signs of a life well lived. The fading of his mohair, the softness of his expression and the wear acquired over more than a century only add to his charm.

The Boots That Gave Him His Name

Of course, the first thing most visitors notice isn't his age...

It's his boots.

Beautifully worn leather boots with wooden soles, complete with horseshoe-edged heels, have accompanied Boots for much of his remarkable journey. They are wonderfully unusual and instantly memorable, giving him a personality unlike almost any other antique teddy bear we've encountered.

It's impossible to imagine him without them.

One of Colonel Bob Henderson's Favourite Bears

Perhaps the most remarkable chapter in Boots' story came when he became part of the collection of Lieutenant Colonel T. Robert "Bob" Henderson.

To teddy bear collectors, Colonel Bob Henderson needs little introduction.

Widely regarded as one of the world's foremost teddy bear historians and collectors, he devoted much of his life to researching, preserving and celebrating the history of teddy bears. His collection became internationally renowned, and he was instrumental in helping establish Good Bears of the World, a charity that has brought comfort to thousands of children by donating teddy bears to those in need.

Among the hundreds of remarkable bears he owned over the years, Boots was one of Colonel Bob's many favourite bears.

That simple sentence, recorded in the catalogue accompanying the sale of his collection, says a great deal. A collector of Colonel Bob's knowledge and experience had handled some of the finest teddy bears in the world, making it all the more special that Boots held such an important place in his heart.

The Christie's Sale

In December 1994, Boots appeared as Lot 31 in the famous Christie's South Kensington Teddy Bears Auction, when Colonel Bob's extraordinary collection was offered for sale.

The original Christie's catalogue described Boots in wonderful detail, noting his golden mohair, boot-button eyes, distinctive hump and, of course, his leather boots with wooden soles. The sale also included a photograph of Colonel Bob proudly holding Boots—a wonderful piece of provenance that remains part of his story today.

For collectors, provenance like this is incredibly special. It allows us to trace a bear's journey through history and connect him directly to one of the most important figures in the teddy bear collecting world.

Finding His Way to Asquiths

Thirty years after that historic Christie's auction, Boots' story took another exciting turn.

In December 2024, we were honoured to purchase him at the renowned Teddy Bears of Witney Auction, allowing this remarkable little bear to begin the next chapter of his life.

He now sits proudly in our Timeless Treasures collection at Asquiths, where visitors can meet him in person and discover the incredible history he carries with him.

More Than Just an Antique Teddy Bear

At Asquiths, we've always believed that the best teddy bears don't simply decorate a shelf.

They tell stories.

Some remind us of childhood.

Some connect us with family.

And a very select few become part of teddy bear history itself.

Boots is one of those bears.

More than 115 years after he was first lovingly created in Germany, he continues to captivate everyone who meets him. From his wonderfully weathered leather boots to his connection with Colonel Bob Henderson, every detail tells another chapter in a life that has already spanned more than a century.

We feel incredibly privileged to be the latest custodians of his remarkable story, and we look forward to introducing him to many more teddy bear lovers for years to come.

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Visit Boots at Asquiths

If you're visiting Henley-on-Thames, we'd be delighted for you to meet Boots in person. Photographs simply can't capture the character of a bear who has travelled through more than a century of history.

We hope you'll stop by and say hello—you may just find that Boots becomes one of your favourite bears too. 🤎