Moritz Pappe was originally called the Liegnitz Doll Factory and was founded by Arthur Pappe and Dr Curt Pappe in 1869. The company originally made dolls but by 1910 it was also producing teddy bears. It was best known for its novelty bears – somersaulting and musical, and it produced an early example of a Baby Bear. Like its fellow German makers of Steiff and Bing, Moritz Pappe used a button trademark. Its button was first embossed with a star and later with a clover leaf. Reference: Victoria and Albert Museum
Moritz Pappe “Helvetic” Musical Bellows Bear.
This 20″ five way jointed musical bellows bear is now attributed to Moritz Pappe, a German company which flourished during the 1920’s. Previously these teddies are referred to as “Helvetic” bears“ but no documentation has surfaced to reveal the company’s existence. The word “Helvetica” found on some of the bellows may simply mean that the musical mechanism was Swiss made. Helvetica is a Latin adjective for Switzerland. What is unquestionable is the extraordinary quality of the music emanating from the softly faded pink mohair bear with the huge glass eyes. The bear was once part of the Paul and Rosemary Volpp collection. Very fine plus with fading to original pink coloring. Condition: Dimensions: 20″ T.
Sold for $550 at Dan Morphy Auctions in 2018
Rare pink mohair Pappe Moritz Helvetic clown musical Teddy bear The thick, curly mohair bear with large round orange glass eyes, black stitched nose, mouth and claws, swivel head and jointed at shoulders and hips, pink felt paw pads, sewn on pink felt pointed hat with pom-poms and red silk ruff with bells, musical ‘squeeze-box’ to tummy, (some colour a little faded, repairs to base of hat, and three paw pads), 36cm (14in) tall.
Sold for £ 1,625 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2011
Pappe Moritz musical teddy bear with pink mohair, large orange and black glass eyes, pronounced clipped muzzle, black stitched nose, mouth and claws, swivel head, jointed limbs with felt pads, hump and pressure-operated musical mechanism, 1920s –18½in. (47cm.) high (faded, one ear incorrectly placed, balding to back and backs of legs, some general wear, thinning and discolouration, holes in pads)
Sold for GBP 780 at Christie’s in 2007