"ROUGH RIDER" |
As head political cartoonist for The Washington Post in 1902, Clifford K. Berryman created what was one of the most significant of all cartoon symbols: the "Berryman Bear" which evolved from his famous political cartoon "Drawing the Line in Mississippi."
The cartoon came into being after news reports of President Theodore Roosevelt's refusal to shoot a defenseless captured bear during a Mississippi bear hunt. When this item reached Berryman at The Washington Post, he seized on the idea of depicting the sportsmanlike act of the President refusing to shoot the bear. The cartoon was featured on the front page of the Post on November 16, 1902 and was met with an overwhelming public response.
Toy manufacturers in both Europe and the United States soon introduced jointed plush toys that were quickly dubbed "Teddy Bears." By the end of Roosevelt's first term, the name was firmly established in the world of children's playthings
One hundred years after Clifford Berryman's cartoon first appeared, R. John Wright proudly presented "Clifford" - The Clifford Berryman Bear. The distinctive design was faithfully based on the original Berryman drawings. Made of the finest 2-toned variegated alpaca plush with an open mouth and felt tongue, Clifford was fully jointed and stood 13" tall. He featured a molded leather nose, leather-covered eyes, and felt paw pads with resin claws.
A very special edition of the Clifford Berryman Bear wearing a 'Rough Rider' costume was also produced during the Teddy Bear Cenntennial year in an extremely small edition of only 100 pieces. The bear featured a tailored felt uniform with custom 'RJW' metal buttons, hand-cobbled leather shoes with felt spats, an authentically-detailed hat with a miniature paper flag in the leather hatband, and an exclusive commemorative Roosevelt lapel button. Each Rough Rider bear came enclosed in a deluxe presentation box along with the signed and numbered certificate of authenticity and the forms for owner registration.
DIRECT PURCHASE: The Rough Rider bear offered here is number three of only five Artist Proofs made and comes directly from R. John Wright Archives in pristine as-new condition. The purchase price of $1,300.00 includes shipping & insurance in the domestic United States. [For overseas shipping rates, please contact the RJW office.]
TO ORDER ONLINE: Please select the option below which best describes your request. All orders are subject to availability.
You may also place your order request via phone: 1-802-447-7072.
