---Why I Bought It---

I was not one of those who was an avid collector in the 1990s.
I stumbled upon the Beanie Babies when I found a gorgeous stars and stripes teddy on Ebay. After that I was hooked!
Since then I have bought quite a few - not to collect - but just because I like them, and some for presents.
This sitting koala bear was bought as part of a job lot with loads of others from Ebay.



---The Brand---

A Beanie Baby is a stuffed animal, made by Ty Warner Inc, later renamed as Ty Inc. in late 1993.
Ty stopped producing the product in 1999; but demand led them to reconsider.
In 2000, a Beanie Baby named "The Beginning" was introduced to remind people of Beanie Babies' comeback. (Wikipedia)



---The Product---

8 inches nose to foot.
A realistic sort of koala who has n=mottled grey fur but has cream fur for his stomach, ears and fads of feet.
He has balck beady eyes and a large black plastic nose.
Padded head but his body is filled with beans/pellets.
---Beanie Bear Information---
Birthday 04/28/99
Style Number 4240
Introduced 05/01/99
Retired (10/27/99)
---Poem
--Koalas climb with grace and ease--
--To the top branches of the trees--
--Sleeping by day under a gentle breeze--
--Feeding at night on two pounds of leaves!--



---Variations---

Ty have made about half a dozen koala beanies.



---Cost---

As this bear is one of the 'retired' beanies the cost is hard to determine.
Currently it can be picked up for between £3.50 and £15.
I only buy mine when they are either in a job lot of are around £1-2.



---Tags---

An integral part for collectors was to keep the tags of these stuffed animals in immaculate condition.
There were two tags - one was the 'swing tag' - a heart shaped cardboard tag attached to its ear and a fabric 'tush tag' sewn into its base somewhere.
You were able to buy plastic heart shaped transparent covers for the 'swing tags' to stop them getting scuffed and damaged.



---My Opinion---

This is a realistic looking koala bear and does not come with a ribbon or anything like that.
He is a just a basic koala bear - who can be put to sit back on his back legs or put forward and he will then stand on his four legs.
I like these sort of Ty Beanies for when younger children come to visit as they have no ribbons or other attachments that can be taken off and are just the basic wild animals.
I know if I had young children at home now I would be collecting lots of these animals - as they would be good for playing with and having 'tea parties' but not too buly to store.
I like these natural looking beanies and also have a pair of bears and a super elephant, as well as my cats of course..
His fur is very soft and he has a cute sort of cheeky expession on his face.



---Would I Recommend?---

Yes definitely.



---Star Rating---

5 stars.



---Website---

http://world.ty.com