Over the years we have not been privy to much information on Sewn On Patch Britannia's. What information we did read was often times limited and therefore left room for speculation.
I have recently encountered a situation that encouraged me to look further into this mysterious bear and learn as much as I could to help educate collectors and myself.
I contacted ryebypost and Peggy Gallagher for their assistance. I was aware that ryebypost sold this elusive bear and asked for scans to share with Peggy to have authenticated. I also asked Peggy if she would be kind enough to answer a few questions, which may help to shed some light on this subject.
I am very pleased to announce that both Peggy and ryebypost were very generous in contributing to this article. Please know that ALL photos were shared by ryebypost and have been deemed authentic by Peggy Gallagher.
Ms. Janie asking the question:
There has been much speculation as to the numbers of the Patch
Britannia produced.
Some reports say a few thousand while others say a very limited
number of 500 or less.
What are your findings on these numbers?
Peggy - No one can really predict or speculate on specific production
numbers concerning Beanie Babies. However, I would estimate that
there are very few authentic sewn on patch Britannia's.
We all have been told that the first generation of this bear was
recalled because of poor quality and because of the looks of the
sewn on patch.
Ms. Janie asking the question:
Do you care to elaborate on this further?
Peggy - I have always heard rumors, for many years, in the Beanie
community that Ty, Inc was very disappointed with the quality
of all Beanies manufactured in Indonesia. Therefore that would
be a good reason Ty stopped manufacturing Beanies in Indonesia.
This theory makes logical sense to me! Ty is so detailed with
all of his creations. He obviously is a perfectionist and the
authentic Indonesian Beanies' quality is less than Beanies manufactured
in China.
Ms. Janie asking the
question:
How rare is this bear and are there hang and tush tag differences?
Peggy - The authentic sewn on patch Britannia is considered very
rare! There will not be any variations with the tush or hang tags!
He was out for a very short time. He will only have the 5th generation
ty heart tag and the 1997 copyright TY Inc., tush tag! (Handmade
in Indonesia) hint: capital "Y" in TY
Ms. Janie asking the question:
Is it true that the material was flammable and of course did not
meet the standards of production?
Peggy - I really believe
Ty was looking at the Indonesian Beanie samples and really had
hurt feelings because of the poor quality and inconsistency of
the product and decided to stay with the manufacture plants in
China. I think the flammable material theory is just a rumor!
Ms. Janie asking the question:
Is it true that this version of bear was only filled with PVC
pellets?
Peggy - This is a tricky
question.... We have to really go back in Beanie History---- I
specifically remember when Princess was introduced (10-29-97)
Remember when the collectors, including myself, started observing
the Princess tush tag with PE pellets (early December 1997). Well,
Britannia was introduced (12-31-97) I think it would be safe to
say the very original manufactured Britannia would have the PVC
pellets. The later manufactured Brits would have the PE pellets!
BUYER BEWARE: If the Beanie
has an Indonesian tush tag it will not have the Chinese water
mark stamped inside the tush tag! Many of the counterfeit Indonesian
Beanies have the copied Chinese water mark inside the tush tag.
The counterfeiters were not thinking!!! LOL
Ms. Janie asking the question:
Is it true that not all real sewn on patch Britannia's look alike?
To be clear and simply they are ugly and from the one's I have
viewed they differ in looks. Do you wish to elaborate on this?
Peggy - I would love to
elaborate..... Pure and simple the Indonesian Beanies look ill
and the fabric and quality is inconsistent. )O:
Ms. Janie asking the question:
What would you tell a collector who is considering purchasing
one of these bear? How would your company determine if the bear
were a fake? Do you autheticate sewn on patch Britannia's?
Peggy - I would encourage
a collector to buy this very rare bear. I would insist on having
the seller send it directly to me prior to the buyer sending any
money. Once we have determined this rare bear is authentic then
the buyer can send the money to the seller and I will authenticate
the Beanie and send it directly to its new proud owner!
Yes, we do authenticate the sewn on patch Britannia! We didn't
use to but now we have our act together and feel very confident
in our opinion on all authentic and counterfeit Indonesian Beanie!
If a seller tells a buyer that Peggy
Gallagher will not
authenticate the sewn on patch Britannia they are 100% incorrect!
~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I would like to thank ryebypost for sharing their detailed photos.
I would also like to thank Peggy for her candor and professionalism
for sharing this information to educate all of us!
Please try and remember
the following; one day it may save you time and aggravation!
Before you ship your beanies back for a refund please consider
doing the following:
I would strongly advise you to photograph your Beanies that you
suspect are fake.
Save all e-mails and contact information from your seller .
Send your Beanies back and request a signature to ensure delivery.
Save the original packaging that your product was shipped in.
Save all documentation of original method of payment.
If your future purchases are bought off of an auction, consider
printing the auction page information.
Buyer beware! Ratings in most cases can be misleading, know your
seller and be cautious!
BE CAREFUL!
NOT all Beanie Babies were made in Indonesia. There seems to be
a lot of Indonesian tags showing up with sellers using the excuse
that they look poor because they were made in Indonesia.
Check all tags thoroughly and as Mulder from the X Files would
say, "trust no one". It's very unfortunate that this
statement has to be made, but believe me, I have seen a enough
to warrant it!
