Author Archives: rarestbeans

We outlined the production version of Mitya – the red Russian bear given out at the 2017 Kids Russia Toy Fair. Only about 50 examples were made, with 10-15 pieces rescued. Here we have the three known prototypes for that piece. Again, recall Ty’s intense focus on symmetry. The Russian flag is comprised of threeContinue reading “Ty Mitya PROTOTYPE Teddy Set: Blue, White, and Red. Russia Toy Fair Bears”

We have on record five fully baked, completed Billionaire 2 prototypes. Fully baked – meaning, all pax hang and tush tags, with a signature fuzz fabric that was unveiled with the production Billionaire 2 bear’s release. There are several Billionaire 2 prototypes without pax tags/with minimal departure features from production. Behold, the two cream BillionaireContinue reading “Billionaire 2 Cream Bear Teddy PROTOTYPES: Executive Set”

This is the famous “Dollar Teddy” prototype. This piece came out of an exceptionally large prototype lot back during proto gate. The other famous pieces found with this guy included the Picasso Teddy and the Shaggy Teddy. While these guys are “later” prototypes, they captured the collecting community by storm because they were SO farContinue reading “THE Dollar Teddy Bear Prototype”

Inch the worm was always one of this author’s favorite production beanies. The original production Inch was issued, first in 3rd generation, with felt antenna in June of 1995 (mid 1995 release) with entirely different color segments (see below). Production fabric colors include quackers yellow, goldie orange, legs green, royal blue peanut blue, and magentaContinue reading “Inch the worm felt antennas PASTEL Prototype!”

This is the very final Royal Blue Peanut prototype that we have on record that has not yet been reviewed on this blog. Behold, the BUG-EYES Royal Blue Peanut;). This piece is a divisive little thing. Some collectors instantly fall in love, while others put this guy in the “weirdo” camp. This author is unfortunatelyContinue reading “Royal Blue Peanut Prototype: Bug Eyes!”

Prior to Billionaire 5, all previous Billionaire Bears came with a single, identical hang tag for its respective run – only differentiated by number. But for Billionaire 5, 6, and 7 Ty released different tags that corresponded with country rep locations. While purchasing a “regular” Billionaire 5/6/7 is a fairly easy task if you haveContinue reading “Billionaire 5, 6 and 7 Teddies – Rare tags”

Clubby the bear was the original BBOC exclusive. The BBPG does a great job outlining general Clubby information, including a breakdown of its respective tush tags. General Clubby info here: https://beaniebabiespriceguide.com/clubby/ Clubby 1 was released with tush tags numbered ranging from 00 to 03 – we believe those corresponded with earlier to later shipments. TheContinue reading “Clubby “00” Tush Tag”

This is a very special piece indeed. The Ty #1 rep bear, discussed in several previous posts, is still to this day one of the most coveted production pieces in the hobby. With only 253 examples, and most buried in the oldest most vast collections, finding a MQ example will still take many thousands ofContinue reading “Ty #1 Rep Bear White and Red PROTOTYPE”

Keeping this Nana train going. Here is another of the (most) famous Tyriffic Nana prototypes. This is the fuchsia and yellow example – the only fuchsia body colored Nana. No pax tags – none of the Tyriffic displayed Nanas have their tags. This is SUCH a vivid departure for Nana. This example, along with OrangeContinue reading “Nana the FUCHSIA AND YELLOW PROTOTYPE Monkey – Tyriffic”

In a Nana Mood:). While not as famous as his red and cream counterpart, this royal blue and cream nana is very much a part of the Tyriffic Nana troop! Any Tyriffic Nana is a prize beyond measure in Ty land. Finding out where both known royal blue Tyriffic nana prototypes ended up was aContinue reading “Nana the Cream and Blue PROTOTYPE Monkey – Tyriffic”