Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner

[trystan]

Trystan, Is it possible to ask for a photo of the bear as it is now without the photo on his lap.

I am 90% sure it is the same bear, but would like to see his tummy compared to the photo before I committ myself

Yes, no problem. I've now asked for a picture of the bear without the photo on his lap. Also, we're going to be sent a scan of the photograph so that hopefully we can see a bit more detail (especially of the tankard and the locket).

Great stuff!

Trystan

PS Here is a shot of the bear on BBC Breakfast this morning: http://ow.ly/i/2hx1z

[Jane Masri]

Some better images of Teddy. 
MJB.  In a previous post of mine I found that Bristol airport has departures to many parts of Europe but none that I could see to North America, so that's one continent we can rule out 
One of the reports mentions that airport staff have been going through passenger lists for that day looking for two passengers with the same name.....not sure why as it could have been someone travelling on their own 

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/06/04/100-year-old-teddy-bear-abandoned-bristol-airport-pictures_n_3382584.html?utm_hp_ref=uk?ncid=GEP

http://english.cri.cn/11354/2013/06/04/2941s768479.htm

Jane

[bevj]

I've read this with great interest.
Perhaps someone else has already suggested the following, in which case, my apologies!

"Taken on baby's birthday, 4th March 1918
One year & 5 months old."

Perhaps Daddy was away at war somewhere and asked his wife to send him a photo of the family.
Communications may have been erratic and it is quite possible that his letter took a long time to arrive.
Then Mum  sorted out this photo.
The photo was taken on 4th March 1918 (baby's birthday) but by the time she sent it, baby was already 17 months old - therefore the photo was sent to Daddy on or around 4th August 1918.
So baby was born on 4th March 1917.

Bev

[Treetotal]

I think the title of the post should be changed to include Dora's name as the original owner of the bear.

Carol

[Treetotal]

This is probably the clearest image I have seen online and I have to say that I don't think it's the same bear:

http://www.inquisitr.com/686684/world-war-i-teddy-bear-abandoned-at-bristol-airport-photo/

I wonder if "Sonnie" is the bear's name and phrased as if it was written by the Daughter?

That could suggest that Glyn could also be a girl.

So many theories and suggestions

Carol

[Ruskie]

A couple of thoughts:
For starters they shouldn't be letting those little girls play with the bear in the airport. He is in a delicate state.
His fur looks pristine.
This has already been asked but I haven't seen an answer: What else was in the bag with the bear and the photo?
Person who lost the bear may have been a visitor to the airport rather than a traveller.
Person may have dumped the bear and photo and not want to be reunited with them - (perhaps it was given to a youngster by an elderly relative as a keepsake/parting gift, child thought 'yuk', 'I don't want this junk' and binned it)
Agree with Jane - I have no idea why airport staff would be looking for two passengers who travelled that day. And what names would you search for? Sadly, both children are likely to be dead by now. Bear and photo could have gone to anyone, or been sold in a house clearance decades ago ... there are numerous possibilities.
It probably doesn't matter if it is the same bear as in the photo or not - it belongs (or belonged) to someone, as did the photo.
Unfortuantely I think the only way the owner will be found is if they come forward to claim them.

[lyn22]

I have been reading with interest and I think the bears are different bears they have a few  obvious differences ( ears feet paws ) but I think the bear not in the photo has a different material for its fur. I have a lot of bears and one very old one and when they are old the fur goes very patchy and flat. I think I was trying to see how many times I could write bear. I wonder if the person was taking the photo and the bear to ask someone if they were the same bear.  Take Care Lynette

[AngelFish]

Thanks for the summary.

I don't think we can state exactly what/who we need to look for as there are so many possibilities and different suggestions.

Here is a picture from The Huffington Post, of Bear showing his tummy. Their report says an expert looked at the bear and thought he might be German or French. He didn't say he thought it might not be the bear in the photo. http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/06/04/100-year-old-teddy-bear-abandoned-bristol-airport-pictures_n_3382584.html?utm_hp_ref=uk?ncid=GEP

This photo made me wonder if the bear is a fake, but I don't think an expert would give his name to an interview if there was a chance that was the case.

[AngelFish]

Person who lost the bear may have been a visitor to the airport rather than a traveller.

Reports mention he was found in the departure lounge.