Mr Bean's teddy, centre, was among bears sold Mr Bean's teddy bear has been sold as part of a special toy auction in the West Midlands. The comedy character's toy teddy, donated by Rowan Atkinson, sold for £180 at the sale by Bonhams in Knowle. The sale took place because the Teddy Bear Museum, which used to be based in Stratford-upon-Avon, is being closed. A miniature of the Royal Shakespearian Company's playhouse, complete with bear actors, sold for £72, a spokeswoman for the auctioneers said. Broadcaster and former MP Gyles Brandreth set up the Teddy Bear Museum with his wife Michele 21 years ago. It was a popular Warwickshire attraction, before relocating to Wimbledon. Giant bear He said: "We have had more than a million visitors over the years, from teddy bear lovers to members of the Royal Family. "At 21, the museum has come of age and it's now time for us to find new owners for its unique collection. " The model is showing The Merry Bears of Windsor He said the bears being sold were from his personal collection, as there was no room for them at home. He added: "Losing them will be a wrench but we hope to find new owners for the bears who will love them as much as we have." The museum's Victorian Dolls House sold for £768 at the auction. However, an 11ft (3.3m) teddy bear, which graced the outside of the museum for many years, unfortunately did not sell, the spokeswoman said. The museum includes the first Paddington Bear to appear on television, as well as Aloysius from classic television series Brideshead Revisited. Bears which were loaned or given on trust to the museum will be re-housed in the Polka Children's Theatre in Museum, the auctioneers added.



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