Merrythought Winnipeg Bear | Limited Edition 100 Years of Winnie-the-Pooh Alpaca Bear

Merrythought Winnipeg – Limited Edition Alpaca Bear

Celebrating 100 years of Winnie-the-Pooh: 1926–2026

Behind the name Winnie-the-Pooh lies the extraordinary true story of a real Canadian black bear – Winnipeg, affectionately known as Winnie.

To commemorate the centenary of A. A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh, Merrythought has created this exceptional Limited Edition Winnipeg Bear, lovingly handmade in England using the finest pure alpaca plush and traditional bear-making techniques.

The True Story of Winnipeg

Winnipeg's remarkable story began in Canada during the First World War. Lieutenant Harry Colebourn, a British-born veterinary surgeon serving with the Canadian Army Veterinary Corps, purchased an orphaned black bear cub while travelling across Canada with his regiment. He named her Winnipeg after his adopted hometown in Manitoba, soon affectionately shortening her name to Winnie.

When Colebourn's regiment travelled to England for training, Winnie came with him and became a much-loved mascot. Before Colebourn was deployed to France, however, he entrusted Winnie to London Zoo, where she would eventually remain.

It was there that the gentle black bear captured the imagination of a young Christopher Robin Milne, who regularly visited the zoo with his father, author A. A. Milne. Christopher Robin became so fond of Winnie that his own teddy bear was renamed after her.

That childhood friendship would help inspire one of the most famous names in children's literature: Winnie-the-Pooh.

A Bear Made to Mark 100 Years

First published in 1926, Winnie-the-Pooh has enchanted generations with stories of friendship, kindness and life's simple pleasures. In 2026, the book celebrates its 100th anniversary, making Winnipeg's extraordinary place in its history more meaningful than ever.

Merrythought's Winnipeg has been created as a lasting tribute to the real bear behind the famous name.

Lovingly handmade in England from beautifully soft jet-black alpaca plush, Winnipeg features a contrasting fawn-coloured muzzle, expressive lifelike eyes, delicately embroidered paw detailing and a wonderfully cheerful smile.

Each bear is individually numbered and limited to just 1,926 pieces worldwide, a number specially chosen to represent the year Winnie-the-Pooh was first published.

Winnipeg is presented in a pure cotton dust bag and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, making this a particularly special keepsake for Merrythought collectors, lovers of classic children's literature and admirers of the remarkable history behind Winnie-the-Pooh.

Product Details

• Handmade in England by Merrythought
• Inspired by Winnipeg, the real Canadian black bear known as Winnie
• Created to commemorate 100 years of Winnie-the-Pooh in 2026
• Limited edition of only 1,926 pieces worldwide
• Each bear individually numbered
• Luxurious jet-black pure alpaca plush
• Contrasting fawn-coloured muzzle
• Expressive lifelike eyes
• Embroidered paw detailing
• Filled with recycled polyester (PET) and recycled glass beads
• Presented in a pure cotton dust bag
• Includes Certificate of Authenticity
• Light surface clean only
• Suitable for children over 36 months

Please remove all tags and accessories before giving to a child.