Sleeping Dogs

[ghopper1924]

Here's an unusual topic: This stuffed animal has been around awhile. It's a sleeping dog, stuffed with sawdust and clad in gingham. The tag underneath, which is partially worn away, says "Berea/Student/Berea Kentucky."

So I called the college, and spoke to a curator who specializes in local material history. He said that the college, in order to supplement their income and provide jobs for their tuition-free students, had a craft shop from the 1920s to 1991. Students would make stuffed animals, among other things, and sell them in the campus gift store. Since this is stuffed with sawdust he thought it might date to the late 1930s. Interesting, eh?

So my question: This dog has been well loved and stitched together in places, although overall it's in pretty good shape. Any ideas on value, or does it even have any?

[jacon4]

Not a clue but i love the story!

[ghopper1924]

Yeah, an unexpectedly fun and interesting journey this go-round.

I've found another stuffed animal in excellent condition from Berea in the 1930s on E-Bay, and they're asking $500 for it. Our dog has been pulled apart and re-stitched, but is otherwise OK. Which may be like saying the same thing about myself, I don't know.   Anyway, my self-imposed value for this dog is $200, just because of the story, where it came from, and the overall pretty good condition.

That may be crazy, but it's been loved by several generations for 85 years, including the little MsGhopper back in the day, and we'll never sell it.

[KC]

Love the story as well.

The only ones I could find sold were Humpty Dumpty and they didn't go for much.

On this one, the sentimental value is most definitely priceless.

Will keep looking....

[ghopper1924]

Update. My archivist friend came back from summer vacation and did an in-depth search of their sources.  Here's his revised date:


"Your dog is a No. 232 Sleeping Dog.  I did not find it in any catalogue before 1957.  Attached is a page from the 1957 -58 catalogue, however it could have been made before.  They did not list all the patterns until the mid-1950s, only a sampling.  Still, looking at the fabric I might revise my estimate to the 1950s."


Good to know for sure, eh? Still, our dog will never go up for sale. 

[mart]

I remember many gingham animals from the 50`s !! Popular along with kids books of the Gingham Dog and Calico Cat !!

[ghopper1924]

I remember many gingham animals from the 50`s !! Popular along with kids books of the Gingham Dog and Calico Cat !!

Of course! The gingham dog makes perfect sense in that context.

[mart]

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=gingham%20dog%20and%20calico%20cat

Here you go !!  Couldn`t remember all the words !!

[ghopper1924]

Thanks!