INTRODUCTIION
In November of 1999 we saw the release of the Clarion 2000 Bearstone
"Grant & Clari...Home In The Heartland". The reported size of this
Limited Edition is 10,000. This is said to be the smallest LE ever issued.
As always, as we have seen in the recent past, when a new Bearstone
is released it immediately shows up on the Ebay Auction Site. And so
the Clarion 2000 Bearstone also made it's way to the auction block,
sometimes selling for as much as $150. A pretty good profit for a $20
investment.
Not all of the Clarions sold for $150. The reason being that the ones sold
for this amount were advertised as 1E. This obviously drove the pricing up.
I wrote to several of these sellers and asked why they thought they were 1st
Edition. After all, the understamp only displayed the number within the total
LE of 10,000. (The understamp reads "Limited Edition #-----, Style #227724Cl).
What was their answer? Are they right? Let's explore this issue.
THE NATURE OF LIMITED EDITIONS
Limited Editions are just that, limited to a specific number of stones or months of production for a particular year. This is differentiated from regular issues in that regular issues are open ended. This means that an unlimited number of stones will be produced until a decision is made to stop production. Therefore, a Bearstone that is produced through 50 Editions (50E) would have a production (prior to 2000 issues) of 180,000 Bearstones.
Limited Editions are usually only produced for the year in which they are issued. Hence, you find notations about Bearstones like this LE '98 (Limited Edition 1998). The Clarion 2000 (though produced and issued in 1999) is a Limited Edition for 2000, because it was produced for the Clarion, Iowa Teddy Bear Reunion in June of 2000.
(For your information this is the second Clarion produced. The first is a variation of #2254 Bailey...the baker w/sweetie pie issued in March of 1995 with a reported production of 3600).
Limited Editions can be produced by month (with a limited number per month) or produced for the year (with a limited number for the year). When the LE is produced monthly they are usually so noted on the understamp, i.e., Jan #1705, July #2978. When the LE is produced for the year then the understamp usually reflects a total number. For example, Ewell & Walton was a LE of 12,000. On the understamp the designation is #xxxx/12,000. The Clarion 2000 then is a Limited Edition for the year.
LIMITED EDITIONS OF THE PAST
The first designated Limited Edition was #2265 Grenville...the storyteller issued in the later half of 1995, though it does appear that the original '95 Clarion was in fact a "Limited Edition" type issue. (It does meet the criteria for a year production). For purposes of understanding numbering and relative editions, one should consider Special Event, FoB Kit and member only stones, GCC Exclusives, POG Exclusives, NALED Exclusives, SYN Exclusives, GCC Early Intros and Premier Editions as "Limited Editions". While not all of these have a numbering designation on the understamp, the fact that they are produced in a limited manner (Either by year or month) makes them a "Limited Edition" type issue.
Grenville...the storyteller was issued with month designations on the understamp. Though it is not clear how many in any given month were produced it is generally regarded that the January issued (noted on the understamp) is a First Edition (1E). February then is regarded as a 2E. The same is true for Special Event Bearstones.
Just because these January month Limited Editions are regarded as 1E does not mean that they are limited to 3600 per month. Personally I do not think that the monthly issues are limited to 3600 per month. And if I had to guess, I would bet on 6000+ per month. Perhaps even 7200 to 10,000 per month. Not a very exclusive First Edition!
Then along comes #2228 Ewell & Walton...manitoba mooselmen a Limited Edition issued exclusively in Canada. This is the second designated Limited Edition produced. These Bearstones are numbered on the bottom (see example previously noted) and are an example of a year production Limited Edition. There are no regarded numbers in advertisement or otherwise that would lend itself to any designation as First Edition.
THE LIMITED EDITION CLARION 2000
So now comes the Clarion 2000 Limited Edition. It is a Limited Edition just like the rest. And, as stated, it is a Limited Edition for the year. So why do we have sellers telling everyone that the Clarion they have is a 1E? What is their basis?
The answers I received from the parties involved were the same. The number on the bottom is 3600 or less! This makes it a 1E.
Really! Do you have a Ewell & Walton 1E? Does anyone have a Ewell & Walton 1E!!?
How many pieces are in a monthly edition of a Limited Edition? No one knows for sure (except the operating officers of The Boyds Collection Ltd). I cannot remember where or when I heard it or read it, but if memory serves, then the number per month edition in a Limited Edition (or Special Event) is probably a lot closer to 10,000. The Nativity Series and Noah Ark Series have 7200 per edition and they are regular issue. The title Limited Edition sells! It is true that they are actually limited. However, what is the limit? 3600? No! 6000? Maybe. 7200? Not a bad guess. 10,000? Maybe a number closer than we think!
I think that the suggestion that any number 3600 or less is a 1E is ludicrous! It is a representation beyond my imagination. It is pure and simple hype generated to up the price and value of the Bearstones so numbered.
The Limited Editions we have discussed make no suggestion as to the number of pieces to be considered 1E. We have guessed about the monthly editions and they are far higher than 3600. The previous year production Limited Editions do not advertise themselves as 1E, only Limited Edition. If we are to follow precedence then all of the Clarion 2000 Bearstones are 1E!
If you want a designation of numbers to make a numbered Limited Edition special for the serious collector, then the number is 300! Many of the early collectors seem to gravitate to this number in these situations. These collectors informally consider this number a 1E. I believe this is to a good number, because it is very low and very special. Test yourself. When you find a 1E and the number is lower than 1000, it is mentally more special. How about #123? WOW!! The case presents itself.
Historical precedence, not hype, should determine the value and designation of numbers within a year numbered Limited Edition.
That is the way I see it--
In My Bear Opinion!
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In My Bear Opinion
IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.
The information contained in this document represents the current view
of Secondary Marketplace on the issues discussed as of the date of publication.
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TL Stroh
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Copyright 2000 Secondary Marketplace
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