This is a really exciting treat. And unlike any other prototype so far reviewed on our site. It’s a reminder that all corners of the Ty world – prototypes, production etc. still have undiscovered secrets. Recall the Lucky Erin bear that went virtually undetected for almost 20 years! What we have here is a prototype/alternate version Hong Kong 2010 teddy. A quick recap on Hong Kong bears: Ty prior to the pandemic attended the annual Hong Kong Toy Fair show (Asia’s largest and the world’s second-largest annual toy and game trade exhibition). In 2010 the Hong Kong 2010 bear was displayed and distributed. It was a solid red bear (smooth) with yellow ribbon, and NO tush tag (removed). Reps confirmed somewhere around 100 were made, and the bear was repurposed from another lot of bears given the last-second idea to have a special bear for the show to display and give away to vendors. This is a similar story to the violet employee teddies (predecessors to the Billionaire bears) – Ty had titme to make a few prototype examples, but ultimately had to use existing inventory to have those bears out in time. So what we have here appears to be a prototype – full alternate shaggy body, white nose, and ribbon, with sample tush tag. However, is also has a PRODUCTION hang tag (that matches the eventual Hong Kong 2010 released piece, AND the more common “sample not for sale” extra hang tag typically seen only on sales rep production samples (typically used as display items at shows, or to share with customers ahead of ordering). If the tush tag were removed from this piece (as we saw for the 2010 bears used), this piece easily could have been substituted in as the bear used! We would guess this bear was ALMOST the example used for the release run. So is it a prototype? A sample? A production piece alternate version? Arguments for all. WILD!
Rarity Rank: -.5 A true departure/alternate prototype or alternate version for the uber rare and limited Hong Kong 2010 bear! A true prize. And what an interesting story that surrounds the Hong Kong 2010 bear, and the significance of this piece. A type of piece and story that is actually not uncommon with very special limited edition pieces Ty introduced with short runways.
