I don't know about you, but ever since I was a little girl and learned that *special* versions of Teddy Ruxpin were created for various display or marketing purposes, I became obsessed with learning all I could about them. I dreamt about the day I'd walk into a Goodwill and light would shine down from the heavens on a hastily discarded prototype, just waiting to be loved. Obviously that hasn't happened (believe me, I've thought about it every time I've walked into a thrift store over the past 20 years!), but that doesn't mean we can't learn as much as we can about them in case one of us is lucky enough to come across one. These are really, really rare, and in the event that one is discovered, should be bought by a collector and well taken care of.

So, off we go! To start us off, I've found one of the earliest prototype versions of Teddy I can. In the Teddy Ruxpin fandom, I'm sure we've all seen the image of what seems to be one of the first Worlds of Wonder prototype Teddy Ruxpin bears that was designed to be a reference for mass production. Note, Ken Forsse actually created his *own* prototype Teddy and this one looks considerably different. It's possible he was used to entice investors or demonstrate the technology overseas in Asia to possible manufacturers. He was skinnier, lighter, and was rumored to house a Sharp Tape Player in the back capable of being rewound when a story had finished. He also looked considerably different than other prototype WOW bears that were used for marketing purposes. 

Chances are also likely if you're interested in Teddy memorabilia that you've seen the prototype WOW bear in the ad below. His eyes are an amber color and slightly oversized for his face. He's skinny (or skinnier at least than the bear that was mass produced. All-in-all, a very different (scary to me!) version than the bear above. In the ad below, there are actually two different bears featured. Or at least two different vests. Let's hope there was just one of these guys made. :| The bear on the left page has a patch sewn on his that vest only contains the words "Teddy Ruxpin", and didn't include the iconic face below the text like later versions do. For the bear on the right, there isn't a patch at all! Also, note the prototype tape! I can't make out the title on it, but it's definitely *not* The Airship. Maybe an eagle-eyed reader can?

As for the transition between Worlds of Wonder Teddy Ruxpin and Playskool Teddy Ruxpin, things haven't been well-documented. There is, however, an amazing post by CyborgIlliop on the Teddy Ruxpin Online Forums that talks about the historical timeline. The Worlds of Wonder Teddy II (smaller Teddy Ruxpin that took cartridges and AA batteries opposed to cassettes and C batteries, manufactured 1987-1990ish) had very few distinguished features as a prototype. The most I can tell is that the arms were slightly more stuffed than the mass-produced teddies. However, when Playskool officially took over production, they went all out -- they changed the fur and clothing color and actually created a very specific-looking prototype that they used *everywhere*: box art, marketing materials, magazine ads. As you can see below, the Playskool prototype had paws that had sewn lines for fingers and toes, and the fabric on each paw is noticeably darker than the teddies that were mass produced.

And as I mentioned above, Playskool used that prototype version in *all* of their marketing as they slowly phased out the Worlds of Wonder Teddy II.

So there you have it! A look across the most iconic prototype bears for Worlds of Wonder and Playskool. Also, I'm sure there's probably images or marketing materials of more. If you're as interested in these guys as I am, try to remember the unique features with both, and when you scour eBay or take a trip to the thrift store, maybe this time you'll make your childhood dream come true!

Have you found a bear that looks like a prototype that I missed? Comment and link below!

 The other day I saw there was a request on the Teddy Ruxpin Online Forums from a fan who was interested in finding out what the contents are in a Teddy Ruxpin Fan Club Kit. The kit was available during product sales of WOW merchandise and seems to be established well after Teddy Ruxpin was released in 1984. I say this because each kit included a number of activities and freebies, but also contained product ads with a full array of products that look to be prototypes (some which look to be released and and some unreleased). I thought it was quite funny that they included it (but smart, too!), as they probably knew that children would gaze at their mini magazine of other Teddy merchandise and want to add to their collections. :) I'll get more into this ad below.

First, here is the front and back of the Teddy Ruxpin Fan Club Folder that houses all the contents.

And inside each of these folders was a vast array of things to do. A full itemized list is pictured below. It includes a membership card, a poster, a balloon, an activity book, a paint-by-water picture, an iron-on transfer, and a press-out book. Additionally, there was a newsletter, two welcome letters, and two separate ads.

When you open the folder, there's a wide assortment of items. I took pictures of the membership card, fold out poster, sad-looking 30-year-old balloon,  a press-out book (like a paper doll, almost), and tons of activities. I loved the plug for Teddy On Ice, the live action show that featured real animatronic characters, the old address for the fan club (which happened to be in New Jersey according to the address?), and the beautiful art in each activity book.

The first foldout ad featured all of Teddy's stories at that time in the series. The ad pictures 25 of them. On the back, there's a mail-in option to receive a free Teddy Ruxpin's Greatest Hits (a rather rare cassette tape of just music -- it doesn't contain any animatronic signals) and a beach ball. Do you think it still would work if I mailed it in? ;)
​

In the back of the folder, there's a foldout product catalog that features all sorts of Teddy-related items (this is the ad I was talking about in the beginning -- so many things!). Teddy and Grubby are shown, as is a huge assortment of Anything puppets (some which I've never seen before), outfits for Teddy, plushies like LB, Wooly, and Tweeg, and the Airship playmat and character figurines. Baby Teddy Ruxpin and Grubby is not listed.
​

​All in all, it's a lovely folder full of vibrant art and colorful pictures. Mine happens to be in really nice condition, but if you happen to find one yourself on eBay, I don't recommend blowing up the balloon or pulling out the stapled posters in the activity books. My folder and its contents feel fragile. Although I loved looking at the product catalogs, my favorite thing inside the Fan Club Kit was a "how to draw Teddy" tutorial. I took a big picture and thought I'd share.
 

​What do you think of the contents? Do any of the products listed are prototypes? Comment below. :)