Rupert Bear - Collectable Beswick Figurines

I love collecting things, especially figurines, which makes my home look interesting or somewhat cluttered, depending on your viewpoint.

Meet Rupert Bear (Also Known as Rupert the Bear)! These Valuable Figurines Would Make Lovely Gifts

I fell in love with Rupert and the Rupert Bear characters when I was but a girl in ankle socks.

Rupert the Bear - Beswick Figurine

In Case You Are Wondering "Who is Rupert the Bear?"

There was a series of Rupert Cartoons in the Daily Express which started on November 8th 1920 and was so popular that it lasted for years, and spawned Rupert Annuals, Rupert figurines, Rupert the Bear books, Rupert teddy bears and even a Rupert the Bear song. There is even a Rupert Bear Museum.

The Beswick Rupert and his Friends series is a very collectable set of Rupert figurines, made of finely crafted delicately painted china, and there is a good market for them.

Vintage Rupert annuals are also very collectable, and some of the earlier ones are quite rare, and fetch high prices on the open market.

I am selling a few Rupert Bear items on this page. They would make lovely presents for children and adults alike.

Rupert Bear and Paddington Bear must be the most famous and popular talking teddy bears of all time.

Timeless fashion:

Rupert the Bear's clothes haven't changed in ninety years, and, if you mention "Rupert Bear trousers", or a "Rupert Bear scarf", everyone over the age of 40 remembers those yellow checked trousers and scarf and the red top, which Rupert wore, rain or shine.

About Me - Rupert Bear Figurine Collector

Diana Grant, That's Me!

Known variously as Diana Grant and Glorious Confusion and even Glorious Diana ('cos I am).

I used to read Rupert bear annuals and Rupert Bear comic strips, but it was only many years later that I discovered there was a whole series of Beswick figurines called Rupert and his Friends. Then I discovered I could get them on E-Bay and through other sources, and so my collection of Rupert and his Friends came into being.

Where did I Get My First Rupert Bear Character?

From eBay of course!

I was really looking at something else on eBay, and you know how it is, one thing leads to another when you're surfing, and I was mesmerized by these little figurines, all looking exactly how I remembered them in the stories.

I just had to buy old Rupert Bear.

So I did my homework and looked up several, until I found the going rate (which was somewhat less than buying a new one). And that's how I became hooked on buying Beswick figurines from eBay to make my collection - all fairly recent really.

However, in the course of down-sizing my home in preparation for retirement, space was at a premium, and now I haven't really got anywhere to display my collection to their advantage.

Rupert the Bear

Rupert the Bear

1980-86

Details:

Designer: Harry Sales

4.15", 10.8 cm

Beswick No 2694

Rupert Bear - Beswick Figurine

Rupert With Satchel - Beswick Figurine

Rupert Bear

1998 Limited Edition of 1,920

Details:

No. 753 of 1,920

Modeller: Martyn Alcock

5.75", 14.6 cm

Commissioned by Lawleys by Post

Beswick No. -

Bill Badger

Rupert With Satchel

2000 Limited Edition of 2,000

Details:

No. 422 of 2,000

Modeller: Martyn Alcock

5", 12.7 cm

Commissioned by Doulton-Direct

Beswick No. 4002

Pong Ping

Rupert's Friends - Algy Pug, Bill Badger and Pong Ping

Rupert Has Lots of Little Friends

I think my favourite is Bill Badger. Isn't he fine?

Details:

Style One 1981-86

Designer: Harry Sales

Height 2.75", 7.0 cm

Beswick No 2720

Algy Pug

These are Rupert Bear's Other Friends

Pong Ping and Algy Pug

I have a lot of time for Ping Pong - I always liked him in the Rupert stories.

Details:

1981-86

Designer: Harry Sales

4.15", 10.8 cm

Beswick No 2694

More Photos of Rupert Bear, Algy, Bill Badger and Pong Ping Beswick Figurines - Just to remind you who they are

1 / 7

I bought Algy for my collection because he is part of the Beswick "Rupert and his Friends" collection, but he is by no means my favourite. In fact I think he is rather ugly.

Details:

1981-86

Designer: Harry Sales

4", 10.1 cm

Beswick No 2694

And Here is my Rupert Annual 1958

It's not in the best of condition

A very old 1958 Rupert Annual, noticeably used by its owner, but clean - Not good condition - spine torn and part missing,

In case you are interested in buying it, here is more detailed information:

The Boards are clean but torn in one place, and the inside cover has come away from spine, so the interior is loose; there is the owner's name and scribbles and writing on the contents page and title page and back page and on some puzzle pages, the back page has been torn out; some scribbles or defacing on several internal pages, including 1 page with a bit cut out and another with a bit torn out

Contents of my Rupert Annual 1958

• Rupert and the Water-Lily
• Rupert's Paper Frog
• Rupert's Name Puzzle
• Rupert and the New Bonnet
• Rupert's Flower Game and Puzzle
• Rupert's Matchbox Sledge
• Rupert and the Ice-Flowers
• Rupert's Stamp Puzzle
• Rupert and the Spring Adventure
• Rupert's Paper Water-Lily
• Rupert's Frog Race
• Rupert and the Train Journey
• Rupert's £200 Colouring Contest
• Solutions to Puzzles

Vintage Rupert Annual 1958

Another Rupert Annual

A Rupert Cartoon, One of a Series of English Cartoons

Take This Poll - Which of Rupert and Friends is your favorite--Rupert, Algy Pup, Bill Badger or Pong Ping?

I'm Torn Between Rupert and Bill Badger

How About You?

More Collectable Beswick Figurines

• Collectible Beswick Figurines: Alice in Wonderland Series
  This article contains information and photographs on the Beswick series of Alice in Wonderland figurines and the designers. They are very collectable little ceramic figurines that make great presents too, as they are relatively inexpensive.
• Beswick/Royal Albert Figurines: Beatrix Potter Collectables
  This article covers Beswick/Royal Albert Figurines in the Beatrix Potter Peter Rabbit series. Models I own, something about Beatrix Potter, the Beswick factory, designers & significance of Backstamps

Rupert Bear on YouTube - the Rupert the Bear Song, Sung by Jackie Lee

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2010 Diana Grant

Have Your Say Here - Have You Read Any Rupert Bear Stories?

Barbara Tremblay Cipak from Toronto, Canada on February 14, 2014:

Such a cute page! loved it

Lorelei Cohen from Canada on February 14, 2014:

Gosh but I am dating myself because I also remember Rupert the bear. Happy Valentine's day.

Virginia Allain from Central Florida on February 14, 2014:

Somehow I missed Rupert Bear. Maybe my public library didn't have them when I was a child.

Charito Maranan-Montecillo from Manila, Philippines on February 10, 2014:

I'm familiar with Paddington Bear, but not of Rupert. He sure looks cute!

Angela F from Seattle, WA on June 09, 2013:

I've never seen Ruppert before. Thanks for the introduction :)

anonymous on December 20, 2012:

So cute! I love Bill Badger.

happynutritionist on December 10, 2012:

How very cute these are, I remember Paddington, but am not quite as familiar with Ruppert. Thanks for introducing me in such a beautiful way!

Sandy Mertens from Wisconsin on December 10, 2012:

Rupert is so cute. Lovely lens.

Jennifer P Tanabe from Red Hook, NY on December 09, 2012:

Oh I love Rupert Bear! And I also love Paddington Bear ... a real favorite when I was young!

chas65 on December 09, 2012:

People love bears, any shape or size. These are really cute.

Susan Deppner from Arkansas USA on December 09, 2012:

Love your Rupert the Bear page!

goldenrulecomics from New Jersey on November 25, 2011:

My wife loves Rupert, and we have indeed visited the Rupert Museum! Nice lens!

MelissaInTheSky on November 12, 2011:

Great lens!

clairepac on April 13, 2011:

I have a rupert bear garden figure with a number stamped on him, he seems a really old bear and i am trying to find out some information about him.

Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on December 13, 2010:

This is my first intro to Rupert and I just love him.

costumesngifts on December 08, 2010:

Rupert Bear! He brings so much fond memories! Thank you for this great walk back to memory lane

Tony Payne from Southampton, UK on November 17, 2010:

I used to love Rupert Bear, and growing up in the 1950s too I had the annuals, loved the cartoons, and also loved watching Rupert on tv. It's nice to see Rupert making a comeback.

Wednesday-Elf from Savannah, Georgia on October 25, 2010:

This delightful review of Rupert Bear, his stories and figurines, is my first introduction to him. Having the word 'bear' in the title of this story drew me in to learn more :). Fascinating!

BuckHawkcenter on October 08, 2010:

I had never heard of Rubert Bear before. This is really sweet and now I have to go check out his stories!