Hidden depths

[vr_trakowski]

Back when I was leaving nursery school my teacher let me take home my favorite toy from the toy boxes because I could not bear to be parted from her.  She had been left there by a previous student.  I have loved her, sometimes quite hard, for many years since; she has had her eyes replaced and she's been repeatedly washed, and she's much more worn now, though she was hardly pristine then. I've always wondered where she came from, as I've never seen a stuffed cat quite like her. 

In a moment of boredom I began searching on Google Images to see if I could find her.  To shorten a long story, I got an informal opinion from an expert, and it turns out that my battered, beloved Mittens is a Steiff. 

I never guessed such a lofty pedigree, and her button was long gone by the time she came my way.  She has no value, of course, not in her condition.  Except to me, and not because of her origins! 

I still love her dearly.  Some things one never outgrows. 










P.S. By request. ;)

Comments

[cabooklover.livejournal.com]

I wish I had some of my childhood toys and stuffed animals. My parents divorced my freshmen year of high school and my Dad got custody of me but my mom wouldn't allow me to take anything from HER house to his. One day my mom packed everything up and moved to St Louis and didn't give any of us kids a chance to get our stuff. She claims to have everything but it has been in storage since 2004, so who knows if we'll ever get any of it back and what condition it will be in by then.

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

Oh dear, that's terrible! I hope you get the chance to rescue at least some of it soon.

I lived in the same house from birth to growing-up-and-moving-out, so I was fortunate in that I never had to get rid of anything except to make room.

[spockside]

And what a darling she is!

I have a 43-year-old stuffed Kanga and Roo, myself. Well-loved.

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

Hee, thanks! It wasn't until I saw that linked photo that I realized just how battered Mittens has become, but it matters not at all.

I'll bet they are! :D I have a homemade Eeyore of almost the same vintage, ditto.