Once upon a time , many moons ago I met a lovely three foot plush white bear named Snuffles.I had no idea what he was or what he was worth but saw he had a FAO SCHWARTZ and GUND hang tag so I thought he might be worth ten dollars at least so I lifted him carefully into my arms.

It was pouring outside that day so the lady at Goodwill helped me fit him into a huge garbage bag and I put him into another bag in my cart and hauled him all around San Francisco that day looking for things to sell.He got home quite dry and when I researched him I saw he was worth more than ten dollars ..maybe fifty?

Within one hour bidding had started and email questions started flooding in.
‘Was it nose worn ?”
“Are your sure he is that tall ?”
‘Does he smell?”

Snuffles went up to $135.00 that day and stayed that price give or take a few pennies for 6 days.On the seventh day every time I looked, the price was getting higher and higher. I go visit my sons every year and it seems that every year there is some sort of miracle that happens that pays for my ticket.Snuffles was definitely the summer miracle that year.

When Snuffles closed at almost 600 dollars the final day I cried. He would always be my miracle bear. The man that bought him lived in Los Angeles and I sprang for ‘over night’ shipping.He was thrilled to have Snuffles.So thrilled he sold it on the Internet for close to 3000 dollars a few weeks later.

My son was upset.He said that I had settled for too low a price. I had told him I ,for one had no idea how much he would go for but was very happy with the price. I asked him who was paying for the air flight to go there.I asked him who was paying for his birthday present.I laughed and started screaming ,
“Why Snuffles the bear of course ” :).We both laughed.

Years have passed and that particular Snuffles has almost doubled in price.

Snuffles was designed in 1980 by Rita Raiffe who, at the time, led the GUND company with her husband Herbert. She was inspired by the shape of a beautiful crescent moon in the sky, and designed a happy bear looking up at the moon. Snuffles debuted in 1981 is now the oldest bear in Gund’s product line. The initial models were 12-inch tall models available in brown or white.

Snuffles has been produced in a number of sizes and colors. Most are between four inches and three feet tall. The available colors have included dark and light brown, blue, pink, as well as rare green and yellow versions. In addition to the traditional teddy bear, Gund has made Snuffles into rattles, puppets and slippers. Some seasonal versions have been released. Most of the colored bears have a white snout, ears, and a white patch on their belly. There has been a variety of fur types made over the years including fur, velour, and terry cloth.

Now I look for them all the time as Snuffles will always be my miracle bear.,:)

This story was written for Boris who bought a Hanukkah Snuffles bear from me this week. His love for Snuffles has allowed him to create a whole website for Snuffles and will soon move all his Snuffles teddy bear collection to Germany with him.

May the GUND be with you.

Linda Seccaspina
Savannah Devilles
copyright 2009