In Search of the First Teddy Bear

(Article written about this publication 2002)

A 100-year-old mystery has been solved!

It all began when President Theodore Roosevelt refused to shoot a bear tied to a tree during a hunt for bears, Nov. 14, 1902. A cartoonist for the Washington Post, Clifford Berryman, drew a cartoon showing Roosevelt refusing to shoot the bear, called "Drawing the line in Mississippi." This cartoon saw print Nov. 16, 1902. In turn, that cartoon inspired Morris Michtom, a New York shop owner, to create "Teddy's Bear," a toy which was the foundation for his new business, the Ideal Toy company. Ideal claims to be the first manufacturer of what eventually became known as teddy bears. But at the same time, a German toy manufacturer, Steiff, developed a toy bear as well. Both companies claim to be the inventor of the teddy bear.
So Myke Feinman, Streator, Bureau Chief for a daily newspaper published in Ottawa, with a little help from his own teddy bear, solved the mystery.

"My teddy bear, Schaumburg, went back in time, to find out once and for all which came first, the American or the German teddy bear. The ending will surprise everyone."

"This represents about eight months of historical research," Feinman said.

The whimsical adventure includes four "newspaper articles" from 1902 and 1903 outlining Schaumburg's journey through time. Feinman's teddy bear met Roosevelt, Berryman, the Michtoms and the Steiffs to learn the truth, solving the 100-year mystery.

The publication also contains historical documentation, as well as legends about Roosevelt and teddy bears. There are numerous illustrations including newspaper "photos" of Schaumburg with Roosevelt, the Berryman cartoon, and a "redrawing" of Berryman's cartoon by Feinman. Feinman is also a cartoonist who has two novel-length comic books published in the 1990s.

Besides Feinman, Schaumburg will be on hand November 8 at Liberty Village in Streator to "sign" his book as well with a special paw stamp. This will be Schaumburg's eighth book signing, having made appearances at such places as Peoria, Fairbury, Marseilles, Ottawa, and Seneca in the past few months. Feinman said Schaumburg is very pleased with the book sales so far, saying that is how he earns his honey.

The photographs are by Anthony Feinman, the reporter's adult son from Bloomington, who also did the graphic design for the publication. "This book has just about everything — science fiction, fantasy, adventure, teddy bears, and history," Feinman said. The book is suitable for children of all ages, but adults should read it to children under age 10 due to the vocabulary.

"This fun little book (15 pages including a two page mini illustration poster, but excluding two blank pages) tells the story of an investigation into the very first teddy bear. The hero of the story, Myke Feinman's teddy bear Schaumburg, uses a time machine to go back to 1902, where he investigates the Michtom "Teddy's Bear" and Steiff's "Bar (Bear) 55 PB." Along the way, Schaumburg discovers the real first teddy bear, and boy is he in for a surprise!

My twelve-year-old daughter picked up this book, and got a real kick out of it. The story is quite cute, and is intended for a younger audience. It gives the reader a feeling for the genesis of the teddy bear, without reaching any dogmatic conclusion. Overall, she is glad that she read it, and so am I!"
-K. Johnson (Review from Amazon.com)

	In Search of The First Teddy Bear Story by Myke Feinman Digital Photography by Anthony Feinman Ink & Feathers' Price: $5.00 plus $2.00 shipping & handling Schaumburg Harmony is sent back in time to the year 1902 by the B.B.B. (Better Bear Bureau) to discover once and for all who was the first teddy bear in history: The Micthtom bear or The Steiff bear. What Schaumburg finds out will mystify readers as well as surprise them. On his jounery with the help of a reporter named Fredrick Arctophile, Schaumburg meets President Teddy Roosevelt, cartoonist Clifford Berryman, Morris & Rose Mitchtom, and Richard Steiff. This is a story that must be read by all teddy bear lovers around the world! This 16 page short story is now available in its second printing. Published in late fall of 2002, this story has been met with extreme popularity due to its charming story and witty photography. Who could not fall in love with this adorable teddy bear on the cover? It sells for $5 plus $2 shipping and handling. To obtain your copy, simply click the Add to Cart button above or for those leary of doing business online, Click Order Form to download a PDF order form.(Must have a version of Acrobat Reader) and snail mail us a check or cashiers/money order to: Ink and Feathers Comics, 1214 Orchard Rd #7, Bloomington, Il 61704. This book is also available in a package deal! Click on our Online Store for more details
	(Article written about this publication 2002) A 100-year-old mystery has been solved! It all began when President Theodore Roosevelt refused to shoot a bear tied to a tree during a hunt for bears, Nov. 14, 1902. A cartoonist for the Washington Post, Clifford Berryman, drew a cartoon showing Roosevelt refusing to shoot the bear, called "Drawing the line in Mississippi." This cartoon saw print Nov. 16, 1902. In turn, that cartoon inspired Morris Michtom, a New York shop owner, to create "Teddy's Bear," a toy which was the foundation for his new business, the Ideal Toy company. Ideal claims to be the first manufacturer of what eventually became known as teddy bears. But at the same time, a German toy manufacturer, Steiff, developed a toy bear as well. Both companies claim to be the inventor of the teddy bear. So Myke Feinman, Streator, Bureau Chief for a daily newspaper published in Ottawa, with a little help from his own teddy bear, solved the mystery. "My teddy bear, Schaumburg, went back in time, to find out once and for all which came first, the American or the German teddy bear. The ending will surprise everyone." "This represents about eight months of historical research," Feinman said. The whimsical adventure includes four "newspaper articles" from 1902 and 1903 outlining Schaumburg's journey through time. Feinman's teddy bear met Roosevelt, Berryman, the Michtoms and the Steiffs to learn the truth, solving the 100-year mystery. The publication also contains historical documentation, as well as legends about Roosevelt and teddy bears. There are numerous illustrations including newspaper "photos" of Schaumburg with Roosevelt, the Berryman cartoon, and a "redrawing" of Berryman's cartoon by Feinman. Feinman is also a cartoonist who has two novel-length comic books published in the 1990s. Besides Feinman, Schaumburg will be on hand November 8 at Liberty Village in Streator to "sign" his book as well with a special paw stamp. This will be Schaumburg's eighth book signing, having made appearances at such places as Peoria, Fairbury, Marseilles, Ottawa, and Seneca in the past few months. Feinman said Schaumburg is very pleased with the book sales so far, saying that is how he earns his honey. The photographs are by Anthony Feinman, the reporter's adult son from Bloomington, who also did the graphic design for the publication. "This book has just about everything — science fiction, fantasy, adventure, teddy bears, and history," Feinman said. The book is suitable for children of all ages, but adults should read it to children under age 10 due to the vocabulary. Recent Quote from fan: "This fun little book (15 pages including a two page mini illustration poster, but excluding two blank pages) tells the story of an investigation into the very first teddy bear. The hero of the story, Myke Feinman's teddy bear Schaumburg, uses a time machine to go back to 1902, where he investigates the Michtom "Teddy's Bear" and Steiff's "Bar (Bear) 55 PB." Along the way, Schaumburg discovers the real first teddy bear, and boy is he in for a surprise! My twelve-year-old daughter picked up this book, and got a real kick out of it. The story is quite cute, and is intended for a younger audience. It gives the reader a feeling for the genesis of the teddy bear, without reaching any dogmatic conclusion. Overall, she is glad that she read it, and so am I!" -K. Johnson (Review from Amazon.com)
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In Search of The First Teddy Bear

This is a story that must be read by all teddy bear lovers around the world!

A 100-year-old mystery has been solved!

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In Search of
The First Teddy Bear