Ming Panda from The Heritage Collection by Merrythought - 20cm

During their milestone 95th anniversary year, Merrythought are proudly recreating a small selection of their most iconic designs - straight from the company's archives.
Named as their Heritage Collection, these wonderful pieces will delve back into the earliest years of Merrythought and see the return of some truly unique characters, which have been crafted using the same traditional skills and materials first embraced almost 100 years ago. 

In 1939, Merrythought was commissioned by London Zoo to design a life-sized soft toy version of 'Ming', who is perhaps the most famous giant panda in British history - and the first to set foot on British soil, in 1938. The brief was to create a copy so accurate, that it could act as a stand in for Ming when she wasn't in her enclosure. Merrythought rose to the challenge and created what was the world's first ever life-like soft toy panda.

This detailed replica is made from the same original patterns - on a smaller scale - and has been crafted from off-white and black mohair plush fabrics. She features a jointed neck, which allows her to stand in a variety of poses, and wears a ruby red velvet collar with buckle for the perfect finishing touch.

Ming Panda has been individually numbered as part of a special open edition and is presented in a grey cotton Merrythought presentation bag with certificate of authenticity.

• Size: 20cm (height) / 8 inches
• 1 - way jointed
• Age: 3+ (remove all accessories, ribbons and labels before giving to a child aged below this age)
• Surface washable
• Each stunning character in the Heritage Collection features a replica of Merrythought's earliest 'hygienic toys' label.

Merrythought has been hand-making the quintessential English teddy bear in the World Heritage Site of Ironbridge, Shropshire, since 1930 and is now the last remaining British teddy bear manufacturer. The company is a fourth generation family business founded by Mr W.G Holmes. Famous for crafting the finest, jointed, mohair teddy bears adored by children and adults across the world; every one of their enchanting bears is lovingly brought to life by hand, giving them a unique character and superior quality that can last a lifetime. The range includes traditional and limited edition teddy bears, as well as their iconic Cheeky and Punkie bears. Merrythought teddy bears have universal appeal making them the perfect gift for christenings, weddings or birthdays, as well as for collectors.