Oh my goodness oh my goodness! This is perhaps the most famous prototype of them all. Nana (the original name for Bongo) was first seen in the 1995 catalog (picture of this catalog below) in RED AND CREAM! Obviously, the released version of Nana looks nothing like this prototype. Nana was one of Ty’s favorite styles – he ended up creating a number of notable prototypes. And to be sure, almost every beanie pictured in the catalogs is a “prototype” – no tags, or minor departures from production (check out the patterns on the 1994 mid release poster for Slither, Speedy etc, or in this very 1995 catalog, the Stripes with solid orange body, Sting and tie-dyed Lizzy with white bellies), but no piece has ended up in a catalog with such an extreme departure as the famous red and cream nana. Crazy to think Ty was *this close* to releasing Nana in an entirely different pattern.
This Nana also ended up at the Tyriffic store on display with the other (now) famous prototype Nana departures. She was also featured in the Tyriffic prototype article (also pictured below) with her other siblings. No tags on this piece, as was standard with catalog + Tyriffic displayed pieces. In terms of fame, this piece is perhaps the most famous prototype of them all, as it was seen by the most eyeballs for the longest period of time (out in the open since 1995 with the catalog!).
Rarity Rank: -1. A slight notch ahead of the other Tyriffic Nana’s gives this piece an extra boost in fame. This is a piece of legends. Deserving of the coveted -1 rank! It is the rarest variety of Tyriffic Prototype (see pictures below) and is a wild, true, complete, VIVID color departure for the famous and rare Nana. “Tyriffic Nanas” are among the most coveted and fiercely collected prototypes in the hobby. Technically, there are eight of them. As you will see, this piece had its pax tags removed for display purposes, but this is well known and does not impact the value of this piece.
Pictures below: The red Nana in the original beanie mania article (with 6 of the 8 tyriffic nanas). Then various pictures of Nana while at the original Tyriffic Chicago Store. Look closely! Also pictured, the original Ty Catalog + a glimpse of Nana post authentication tucked away in a deep collection with a second Nana prototype!
Rarest Beans 