This is one of our all-time favorite prototypes! This Bessie is a full alternate ROYAL BLUE fabric color – the same color fabric used for the royal blue peanut – full departure for this original 3rd generation cow. Complete with pax tags. The pax hang tag is also signed by Ty with his “ok” initials, indicating this design at one point may have been the one Ty wante to release to the public. Early 1994 pax hang tag dates – the only surviving Bessie prototype with a pax hang tag. Recall Bessie was released June 3rd, 1995, so this prototype example pre-dated the release by almost 1.5 years. There were strong stories that Ty originally wanted to release Bessie under the name Bluebelle – which would line up with the royal blue fabric. It was also believed this Bessie might have been a Tyriffic example – jury is still out given it has a pax hang tag (most tyriffic pieces had their tags removed), and the example confirmed in a Tyriffic photo might actually be a Bessie prototype with violet fabric – but the lighting makes it tricky to discern.
Rarity Rank: 1.5. Full/wild departure from a final production design for a 3rd generation piece. Vivid and famous fabric color departure, for a piece that almost came to be. All pax tags, very early pax dates, and “Ty” initials! Very exciting and beautiful piece.
Rarest Beans 