Ernie is a cute, very furry Steff ted having kept much of his gold mohair, if not his earbutton. Dating to c.1930s, he measures 28cm (11″) tall, and has retained his original features apart from a re-sewn mouth.

Woodwool-filled, Ernie has a back-painted amber glass eyes, with a black-embroidered nose and mouth, plus a full set of claws. His nose has lost a few threads.

The old boy’s felt pads are mostly intact with a couple of repairs – a patched insert to his right paw and some messy darning to the other. Both footpads have a sprinkling of pin-prick holes.  There’s a non-working squeaker in his tummy, but his joints all move fine.

Ernie’s pale gold mohair may look different shades in our photos, depending on which device and browser you use to view them.  However, he’s more or less the same colour all over.

Being a fan of Henley Royal Regatta, he’s dressed is his handmade felt blazer, pinned with a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee badge, and an older G G badge – which probably stands for Girl Guides! Ernie also sports a straw boater labelled Asquiths of Windsor.