Nestling within a massive toy auction from Norfolk-based TW Gaze on 11th December 2025 are some comic and film and TV-related media treats for collectors, including early British comic publications…
Established in 1857, TW Gaze runs a variety of “chattels auctions”, including Antiques and Interiors auctions every Friday, at the Diss Auction Rooms at Roydon Road, Diss. Their have featured in popular television programmes such as Bargain Hunt, Cash In The Attic and Road Trip.
Bobby Bear was a British comics character in the Daily Herald newspaper, starting in 1919, one of the first bears to appear in Britain as a comic character, pre-dating Rupert Bear by a year. The character followed the huge success of Clifford Berryman’ iconic “teddy bear” cartoon, launched in 1902, and Julius Stafford Baker’s ‘Tiger Tim’, first published in 1904.
Based on the Steiff teddy bear that was popular at the time, his friends included Ruby Rabbit and Maisie Mouse. These early annuals, drawn by Dora McLaren, whose illustration career appears to date back to before World War One, apparently collecting their adventures from the newspaper appear to be quite rare. A Bobby Bear Club started in the early 1930s, similar to Pip, Squeak and Wilfred and Teddy Tail clubs, and the 1932 annual states that over 400,000 members had joined.
• TW Gaze Toys Sale opens at 10.00am Thursday 11th December 2025, Diss Auction Rooms, Roydon Road, Diss. | Full Catalogue Here | You must be registered to bid | Bid at The-Saleroom (registration also required)
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Auctions, British Comics, British Comics - Books, Comics, Doctor Who, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Merchandise, Other Worlds, Star Wars, Television
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