Rare Beanie Kid Discoveries
Collecting Dolls and Bears Magazine
Skansen Beanie Kids were launched onto the Australian market in 1997 following in the footsteps of the phenomenal success of TY Beanie Babies in the United States. Like their US counterpart Beanie Kids used marketing techniques such as: limited production and retirements to attract the collector. Since their inception Beanie kids has expanded to an Australian release of over 400 different beanies.
With the ever growing number of beanies available collectors have found it necessary to specialise. Skansen Beanie Kids have responded accordingly with a wide selection of sub-sets including ‘Beanie of the World, ’Story Book Beanie’ and ‘Monster Bear.’
For serious collectors; mutations, one of a kind and prototype samples are often the centrepiece of their collection. Beanie kids have again responded with the creation of official mutations which are listed in their collector’s guide.
Early mutations like “Fantasy” were snapped up quickly. Often these mutations were only ever found on the secondary marketplace for inflated high prices. Skansen again responded by creating a fairer system for the shopper to obtain an official mutation. The foil baggie was created, and prevented the hoarding strategies from buyers knowing in advance if they had a mutation.
The Skansen’s office at the Prestige factory at Northmead in 2003 and 2004 ran a factory store. Now closed the factory outlet sold a variety of their Beanie Kids range at reduced prices.
The Skansen’s office at the Prestige factory at Northmead in 2003 and 2004 ran a factory store. Now closed the factory outlet sold a variety of their Beanie Kids range at reduced prices.
On February 10th, 2004 the following production samples were found for sale at the factory outlet store: Ouch the Bear DF6137, Greta the Dutch Girl DF6209, Greta the Dutch Girl DF6209/D, Bonza the Kangaroo Bear DF5478/B, Windsor the English Guard Bear DF5794, Rattle the Tin Bear DF6141, Eco the Earth Fairy DF6198, Stinky the Skunk Bear D7-5522/C (X3), Cara the Irish Bear DF5921/A, Chilly the Bear D 7-5480/A (x3), Leap the Frog Bear DF5559 and Meow the Cat Bear DF5098/C.
A visit to the Skansen office at Northmead in April 2007 confirmed that the Beanie Kids were production samples that had accidentally been placed into the factory sales room. Each production sample has a blank tush tag with numbers and letters written on them in black biro. It was explained to me by staff at Skansen that the numbers and letters are a way of communicating desired changes (for example they may ask for a skirt to be in a different colour as you can see in the example I have of Greta the Dutch Girl.)
Production samples are also a great means of collecting a very special bear. Here are the samples found in 2004. Bears are compared to their originals to highlight the differences to the official releases.
Ouch the Bear – BK354
Released version: Aug 2003 the official release was a lilac bear, with white bandages on its right ear, left arm and right leg. The word ‘Ouch!’ is diagonally embroidered across the chest of the bear above a bandaid which stretches across the stomach of the bear. The lilac colour has a rough velvet touch texture in contrast to the flesh smooth coloured surface.
Sample: Tag Identification: DF6137. Poor Ouch the bear has a little more ‘ouch’ than the officially released version with an additional bandaid wrapped around his left leg. The gorgeous dark brown with orange highlights replaces the lilac colour and flesh coloured palette of the official release. The brown material is smooth like the orange as opposed to the rough velvet texture of the lilac version.
Greta the Dutch Girl – BK350
Released version: ‘Beanie of the World’ July 2003 the official release was
Wow not one sample but two different samples from the officially released version.
Sample 1: Tag Identification: DF6209. Greta the Dutch bear is wearing the identical outfit to the officially released version. The face and legs are a deeper yellow colour than the pale yellow Greta that was released.
Sample 2: Tag Identification: DF6209/D. Greta the Dutch bear is a lovely blue version of the dress.
Bonza the Kangaroo bear – BK375
Released version: Officially released in January 2004 Bonza was a great Aussie icon for any Australia Day, in patriotic green and gold. The front of the green Kangaroo had ‘Bonza!’ embroidered in white across the chest, while his back has an embroidery patch map of Australia
Sample: Tag Identification: DF5478/B. The back of Bonza remains the same on the beanie sample whilst the front has the same writing style of the word ‘Bonza’ but is in a smaller size font than the officially released version.
Windsor the English Guard Bear – BK344
Released version: A royal guard the Queen could be proud of ‘Beanie of the World’ June 2003
Sample: Tag Identification: DF5794. Pommy guard has a yellow material belt buckle which is not on the official release. Although both the released and sample beanie have black hats the material they are made from is very different. The sample has a smooth finish whilst the official version has a rough textured fur hat.
Rattle the Tin Bear – BK351
Released version: July 2003 has a prominent red heart or the left hand side of its chest.
Sample: Tag Identification: DF6141. Poor Tin bear is missing his heart. The oil can in is hand is more prominent than the official release as it is situated on the top of the wrist. Whilst the buttons, knee pads, neckline, belt, boots and hat all remain the same.
Eco the Earth Fairy – BK348
Released version: July 2003, Eco was a successful fairy line with Fire, Air, and Water
Sample: Tag Identification: DF6198 . Echo is an absolutely sweet flower fairy visibly different from the released version. Although the sample has flowers missing from its front the flowers are unique to the sample and were replaced with fur in the released version.
Chilly the Bear – BK342
Released version: A Beanie Kid Premer exclusive just in time for the winter chills May 2003 was the official release date of “Chilly.” A beautiful blue bear with winter parka with fur trim and long boots with matching fur trim the embroidered white word ‘Chilly across the parka chest is decorated with snowflakes.
Sample: Tag Identification: D 7-5480/A. Chilly the Bear has become ‘Icy’ cold. This version of Chilly ended up being released on the foreign market. There is no BK premier exclusive button on the sample.
Stinky the Skunk Bear - BK340
Released version: A May 2003 release Stinky was another popular addition to the ever growing range of bears dressed as animals.
Sample: Tag Identification: D7-5522/C. Stinky the skunk became ‘Pongo.’ Although not released in Australia ‘Pongo” made an international debut.
Cara the Irish Bear – BK324
Released version: A part of the ‘Beanie of the World’ range Cara is ready for an Irish jig in traditional dance costume. The blazing orange dress contrasts strongly against the more traditional ‘Irish Green’ skin colour.
Sample: Tag Identification: DF5921/A This sample bear made the grade and became the official beanie kid selected for Cara.
Leap the Frog Bear – BK317
Released version: With the word ‘Ribbit!’ blazed across his chest this frog was not the first frog for the Skansen beanie kids series. The word “Ribbit’ had been taken in 1998 by ‘Ribbit the Yellow Frog’ which was released at the same time as “Lilly the Green Frog.’ Leap the Frog was released nearly five years later in January 2003.
Sample: Tag Identification: DF5559. Leap the Frog in the chosen final design for release.
Wobble the Penguin Bear – BK373
Released version: Christmas 2003 saw the release of Wobble as another addition to the Bear’s dressed in animal costumes range.
Sample: Tag Identification: DF6576/B This sample bear became the official beanie kid.
Meow the Cat Bear – BK280
Released version: ‘Meow’ was released in April 2002. With gorgeous pink face and nose contrasting against a grey head and black body. ‘Meow’ was the first bear dressed in an animal suit to have the Bear’s name across his chest.
Sample: Tag Identification: DF5098/C This sample bear became the official Meow.
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If you would like to contact Amy Action send all correspondence to amyaction@hotmail.com. Due to the volume of mail Amy cannot always personally respond to all emails.
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