1910-1920 J.K Farnell Antique Bear Has been loved a bit or wear on pads , but due to age he is still all together and still has many years to be loved Much sort after for collectors Farnell was founded in London in 1840. It began to make Teddy Bears in 1906-8 and was probably the first British teddy bear maker. In 1910 Harrods produce a catalogue with Farnell bears in it. In 1925 Farnell registered the Alpha Toys trade mark.  The family firm of J K Farnell Co Ltd plays significant importance in the British soft toy history, not only because it was the very first British toy company to manufacture teddy bears but also because it created the actual bear that inspired A A Milne to write the Winnie the Pooh stories. Founded in the Nineteenth century, for many years J.K. Farnell Co Ltd was the most respected and influential soft toy manufacturer in Britain. The superior quality of its products ensured that the company experienced huge success not only nationally but internationally. Changes in the British toy market forced its closure in 1970.