Adorable, bright, plush, retired and rare, 7" Grateful Dead Dancing Bean Bear named SAMSON. This little one was part of the FIRST edition series set released in 1997 by Liquid Blue. The bear is in great condition. The hang tag is original and vibrant, has no creases or bends, and is a FIRST GENERATION TAG (please see collectors' info/trivia provided below about the tags!). The tush tag is a little faded with age but still legible.
If you make the bear a part of your household, don’t forget their birthday! SAMSON'S birthday is 6/21/80 - West High Auditorium 😊
I am slowly selling off my collection of bears that I have amassed over the last thirty years, so please look for more of my listings! Please buy gently pre-owned -- your wallet, the planet, and I will thank you! I ship the next business day to the contiguous U.S. Thanks for checking out my listing!
TRIVIA AND TIPS about looking for an AUTHENTIC FIRST EDITION SERIES Liquid Blue Grateful Dead bears
(1) The tush tags are significantly smaller than any other series.
(2) Not all of the Liquid Blue bears were manufactured in the same country. The first series was made in the Philippines and the tush tag states so.
(3) The name of the bear was NOT printed on the tush tag.
(4) The collars were longer and not stitched down to the back of the neck.
(5) Following a dispute with Ty, the manufacturer of beanie babies, Liquid Blue created a second version of the series one hand tags. The second versions created the standard for the hand tags that we have we have to come to know, love, and instantly recognize with the bears. However, the first generation of the hand tags were smaller, did not contain a bar code, did not have a holographic Liquid Blue symbol in the corner, their elastic bands were threaded through the opposite corner, AND used the words "a Beanie Bear collectible" instead of "Grateful Dead Bean Bear Collectible."
HAVE A GRATEFUL DAY AND KEEP ON COLLECTIN'!