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Bean Watcher
  News and Reports for Beanbag Collectors!
This site exists for your enjoyment. My goal is to make your beanbag collecting experience more enjoyable. I focus on Ty products
-- Beanie Babies, Beanie Buddies, Beanie Boppers, and more. I do not receive any financial compensations whatsoever --
I prepare it because of the joy that it brings to me and others. I hope you'll enjoy the news, photographs, and articles that you see.
So grab a beverage, sit back, and enjoy the read! ~ Bean Watcher
Worldwide News and Reports
OCTOBER 2006 ARCHIVES
Hello Bean Watcher readers!
Here is the early edition.
If there are any updates, I'll
post them after I return home from work.
Happy Halloween!
Bean Watcher
October 31: Announcing the November 2006 Introductions
 Today, Ty introduces the November 2006 introductions. There are multiple styles in three product lines. Here they are:
Licensed Beanies (10): Diego, Wilbur, and Gussy; Dora - China, Dora - Russia, Dora - Tanzania, Dora - France; Barbaro (US exclusive), Spongebob QB, and Football Star
October 31: More Exclusives Coming
 Ty introduces more exclusives today: the Canadian exclusive Beanie Baby trio of Courageous, Courageously, and Courageousness (click here) and the Carlton Cards / American Greetings exclusive Ty Classic called Merribear (click here). To see the introduction of the Special Olympics Canada - themed bears, click here. To see the introduction of Merribear, click here.  Bean Watcher comment: To find a Carlton Cards / American Greetings store near you, click here.
October 31: I've Seen a Ghost!
I've seen a ghost!
Halloween Greetings
from John in the UK
(click on the picture to see it)
October 31: Last Day for Ty's Halloween Fun Activities
 Today is the last day to participate in Ty's annual Halloween Fun activities. Visiting the Halloween Fun page allows you to vote for your favorite Halloweenie Beanie and enter the daily prize drawing. To view the site and have a chance to win a prize package, click here.
October 31: The November 2006 Beanie Baby of the Month
 Jean from the USA shares news of the latest Beanie Baby of the Month. She writes:
I was paying a visit to My Tyfolio today when I ran across a turkey named 'Stuffed.' It said Beanie Baby of the month underneath its picture.
I checked out her report, and sure enough, there is a beanie identified as Stuffed the November 2006 Beanie Baby of the Month. To see a picture of this upcoming release, click here.
Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing your find with us!
October 31: From the Email Bag -- Odds and Ends
 Barbara from Minnesota shares the following report of a rumored Ty Classic. She writes:
I just received a call from my local American Greetings store. They said they got in a new American Greetings Exclusive Classic Bear today. It's name is Merri Bear. The bear is white. I have no further information at this time.
Bean Watcher comment: With the holiday season soon approaching, a "Merri" bear would be a fine gift to give to a Ty Collector! We'll know for sure if this bear is for real in the days ahead. John from the UK (aka the phoenix) shares another update about the Ty UK Collector's Party that will be held this week. John writes:
The full auction list will be finalised tomorrow.....and each auction winner will receive a certificate signed by Mark Swallow allowing them to purchase a boxed bear without queueing the next day!!!!
Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for the update. After today, three days left before the big event. The countdown begins...!
October 30: Names of Harrods' Beanie Babies Revealed
 Readers from the UK have shared official confirmation of the names of Harrods' two new Beanie Babies. There is a post on the store's website which reads as follows:
TY Launch
Harrods is delighted to reveal two new Ty exclusive beanies on 4th November, Charles and Henry. Due to huge demand, customers are limited to 12 of Charles and 6 of Henry, or a single piece boxed and with a certificate.
To view the post, click here.
Bean Watcher comments: (1) Thanks to Steve and Claire, Tanya, and John, all from the UK, who share this update with us! (2) So 12 of Charles and six of Henry.... guess which one will be the hard-to-find one?!
October 30: Update on Ordering Mr. Krabs
 Dan from California shares that the Beanie Baby called Mr. Krabs can be ordered alone, without having to order a Nickleodeon DVD. For those who live in the USA, the cost of the beanie is $6.99 (US). Shipping costs can vary -- it will be based on the item's weight, size, shipping level of service (Ground, Second Day, Next Day) and address. To place your order for Mr. Krabs alone, click here, add the item to your cart, and proceed to check out. Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing this update with us!
October 30: The Week Ahead
 This week, the month of October will come to a close and November will begin. Expect Ty to be busy this week! Some announcements will include the November 2006 introductions, the November 2006 Beanie Baby of the Month, the November desktop wallpaper, and the silent retirement of Scares the October 2006 Beanie Baby of the Month. We will very likely see a few country exclusives as well. What other surprises will Ty have for us? We'll soon find out...!
October 30: Mr. Krabs is In-Hand
Two readers share their in-hand pictures of Mr. Krabs. The reader from the USA who shared a scan of Best Buy's weekly circular (see yesterday's report) also shares pictures of Mr. Krabs (click here), his hang tag, and his tush tag. The inner left side of the hang tag clearly shows the Best Buy and Nickelodeon logos (click here). The back side reveals the style number (47056). The beanie's tush tag identifies the character's creator (Stephen Hillenburg).
Nancy from the USA also shares her in-hand pictures. To see her picture of this licensed Beanie Baby, click here. To see the inside of its hang tag, click here.
Bean Watcher comment: Thanks to the reader and Nancy for sharing their pictures with us!
October 30: More About Best Buy and Toys for Teens
 Many collectors in the USA and Canada are familiar with the company, Best Buy. Its chain of stores are located in many large shopping malls in both countries. However, those who live outside of North America may not be familiar with this very popular retailer. According to Wikipedia.com:
Best Buy... is a Fortune 100 company and the largest specialty retailer of consumer electronics, personal computers and related goods in North America.... The company's corporate headquarters are located in Richfield, Minnesota, USA (near Minneapolis).
Best Buy, the exclusive sponsor of Toys for Teens, has partnered with the U.S. Marines Corps to collect holiday gifts for underprivileged teens living throughout the USA. Last year, the combined financial gifts of Best Buy and its customers exceeded $1.9 million dollars (US). Further, customers donated hundreds of thousands of gifts to support this cause. To see last year's press release about the program, click here.
Bean Watcher comment: The U.S. Marines are also involved in a similar program called Toys for Tots.
October 30: Official Signed Pompey Jersey on eBay
 I periodically search for Ty products on eBay to add to my collection. One item immediately caught my attention -- an official Portsmouth Football Club jersey, signed by all players, during the 2002 - 2003 season. A photograph of the jersey shows the conspicuous Ty logo on the front and the number 10 on the back. Signatures are clearly evident on both sides. To view the auction and see the accompanying picture, click here. Bean Watcher comment: The first year for Pompey in the Premiership was during the 2002 - 2003 season.
October 30: From the Email Bag - Latest Update to the Ty UK Collector's Party
John from the UK (aka the phoenix) shares the following update about the upcoming Ty UK Collector's Party, to take place on November 3, 2006 in London, England. John writes:
Less than a week to go now, and the final touches are being put in place for the Party on Friday....the full auction list will be published on Tuesday/Wednesday for all to see.
Many who are attending are thinking about swaps for the Swap Shop...it will cost £1 to swap your item, and the money will go straight to the Children's Charity. Time to sort out those spares...or to look for something you may have missed!
Looking for something signed??? It's a good bet that there will be a few items with that famous signature...a bear or two, I'd say....but expect the unexpected too!
There will be other signatures to add to your collection as well.....a Hollywood actress from a forthcoming film set in the Lake District, a famous British chef with a restaurant in Cornwall, and a former employee of a member of the Royal Family......but what have they signed?? More to follow.....very soon!
Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing this update with us. The event appears to be well-planned and eventful. I'm sure that many collectors would love to be there! Way to go Ty UK!
October 29: Best Buy's Mr. Krabs Beanie Baby
 A reader from the USA shares a scan of Best Buy's weekly circular that introduces the Beanie Baby called Mr. Krabs. This plush toy, introduced today, is patterned after a character in Nickelodeon's television show, Spongebob Squarepants. This beanie is one of four characters in the show that will be given away for free with the purchase of any Nickelodeon DVD. The characters will change weekly. Purchases will support the program, Toys for Teens.
It is uncertain if the remaining three Beanie Babies are unannounced styles. Two may have been previously introduced -- they resemble Spongebob Squarepants (week two) and Patrick Star (week four). However, there are subtle differences between the Best Buy beanies and those shown on Ty.com. One style is unique -- it resembles the character called Gary (week three).
To view the relevant part of the circular, click here. To see a picture of this unannounced style and for more information about Best Buy's offer, click here.
Bean Watcher comments: (1) Thanks to the reader for sharing this news with us! (2) I will have more information about Mr. Krabs in tomorrow's column.
October 29: More of Marilyn's Pictures
 Marilyn from Wisconsin shares her beautiful in-hand pictures of recently-introduced exclusive Beanie Babies. Her pictures include Thankful the bear (Ty Store exclusive), Suntory Sungoliath the Suntory gorilla (Suntory Sungoliath exclusive), and the gold-thread version of the latest Beatrix Potter trio (UK exclusives). To see her pictures, click on the links below.
Thankful and Suntory Sungoliath
The Second Beatrix Potter Trio
Bean Watcher comments: (1) Thank you for sharing your pictures with us! (2) Be sure to check out the unique inner left side of the Beatrix Potter trio's hang tags.
October 29: Three Versions of Fun and Laughter
 Orion from Japan, webmaster of Beanie Tenjishitsu, shares her beautiful pictures of the Fun and Laughter beanie family (Beanie Buddies, Beanie Babies, and key clips). She writes the following (slightly edited):
I will share group photos of the BBOC Fun and Laughter Beanie Buddies and their family. They are:
To see Orion's pictures, click here and click here.
Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing your pictures with us!
October 29: Who is Barbaro?
 Many readers know by now that Barbaro will soon be introduced. The name of this Beanie Baby may be familiar to many who live in the USA and Canada, but may not be so well-known in other countries. Who exactly is Barbaro? According to Wikipedia.com, an online encyclopedia:
Barbaro (born April 29, 2003) is an American thoroughbred racehorse, who decisively won the 2006 Kentucky Derby and was a heavy favorite in the Preakness Stakes. On May 20, 2006, he suffered an injury shortly after the start of the race, as he fractured three bones in and around the ankle of his right hind leg.... This injury ruined his shot at the Triple Crown and has ended his racing career. It may yet end his life...
Undefeated going into the race... Barbaro charged ahead during the last turn and straightaway of the race to win by 6 ½ lengths.... This margin of victory at the Kentucky Derby was the largest since 1946..... Barbaro's win made him only the sixth undefeated horse to win the Kentucky Derby....
As you can see, Barbaro went from future star to fallen hero. He is now dealing with his greatest challenge -- the fight for his life.
For more information about this beloved race horse, click here.
October 28: The Unannounced Bravo Key Clip
 Jenny from the USA shares a picture of the unannounced key clip called Bravo. This Beanie Baby is similar in appearance to the Alpha key-clip and is associated with the charity, Angel Flight. Jenny writes:
I just received an email regarding the new BRAVO Angel Flight Key Clip (Australia Exclusive.). A picture was included in that email..... It is very similar to Alpha and looks almost identical. However, Angel Flight is more centered on the key clip and the nose is gold! The picture I saw of the key clip did not have a hang tag, but I'm assuming they will.
To see a picture, click here.
Bean Watcher comments: (1) Thank you for sharing the news with us! (2) When I obtain more information about this key clip, I will share it with you.
October 28: More About the Kentucky Derby Store's Barbaro
 Dan from California shares the following message he received from the Kentucky Derby Store about the Beanie Baby called Barbaro. The message states:
Thank you for your inquiry. The Barbaro Beanie from Ty(r) description is as follows: Limited Edition Ty Barbaro Beanie, last year's winner of the Kentucky Derby, is 7" tall, 8" long and wearing his No. 8 on pink saddle cloth. Imported. Color: Dark Bay. These Beanies will have the additional Official Licensed Hang tag of the Kentucky Derby. If I can be of further assistance please let me know.
Thank you for your time,
Toni
Kentucky Derby
Catalog Customer Service Specialist
1-800-379-3274
www.thederbystore.com
Bean Watcher comments: (1) Thank you for sharing the news with us! (2) When I called the Kentucky Derby Store, I was informed that the licensed tag would be different than the one found on Derby 132 the horse. Barbaro's licensed tag would state words to the effect of Kentucky Derby 133.
October 27: The Kentucky Derby Store's Barbaro
The Kentucky Derby Store is currently accepting phone and online orders for the unannounced Barbaro Beanie Baby. The site provides the following information:
Yes…it is true! It's our beloved Barbaro. This Limited Edition Ty Barbaro Beanie is 7" tall, 8" long and wearing his No. 8 on pink saddle cloth. Order yours while supplies last. Imported. Color: Dark Bay. Pre book your order-- NOT AVAILABLE TO SHIP UNTIL NOVEMBER 15TH.
To place your order for this beanie, click here.
Bean Watcher comment: Thanks to all readers who shared this news with us! I will be providing more information about this beanie in tomorrow's column.
October 27: The November 2006 Introductions
 I received several emails about the appearance of the November 2006 Ty product introductions. Pictures from Ty retailer flyers can be found in such places as Yahoo! auctions and the websites of secondary market retailers (e.g., the Beanie Hut and Cindy's Beans).
Thanks to Daniel from Maryland, webmaster of Beanie Universe, the new styles, by product line, are listed below:
Beanie Babies (17 total)
Baby Ty (8):
Ty Classics (2):
Bean Watcher comment: Thanks to all readers who shared this news with us!
October 27: Report from a Ty Halloween Drawing Winner
 A Ty Halloween drawing winner, whose userid is dinofan, shares his report about the prize package he recently received. He also shares a scan of the accompanying letter. Here is his report:
I was one of the lucky 5 winners on the very first day of the 2006 Ty Halloween Drawing Contest. It was SO exciting to actually see that my name was drawn this year! I have been trying every year and finally hit the "Beanie Lotto" LOL! Today my prize package arrived via Fed Ex. Everything arrived in excellent condition, and I really want to thank Mr. Warner and Ty Inc. for the Wonderful Prize Package!
A couple notes of interest:
Good Luck to Everyone in the drawings still to come, and a Huge Congrats to all the other winners! Thanks again Ty!!
To see a scan of the letter he received from Ty, Inc., click here.
Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing your report and picture with us! Your win certainly shows that the following adage is true... If at first you don't succeed, try, try again! Congratulations!
October 27: Update on the Ty UK Collector's Party
 John from the UK (aka the phoenix) shares another update about the Ty UK Collector's Party. Mark Swallow from Ty UK has authorized John to share this news with readers. Here is John's latest update:
It's already known that Harrods will be launching 2 beanies on Saturday 4th November... I can confirm that there will be another bigger friend with them! A certain number of the beanies will be boxed and numbered, like the Shooting Stars were last year...... but how many?....we'll have to wait and see!
However, the "Number 1" of both beanies will be auctioned on Friday night at the Ty Collectors Party...and they have both been signed by Mohammed Al Fayed, the owner of Harrods! These will be among at least 20 items in the auction, including some Ty memorabilia never seen before - a full list will be published during next week, and I will send more information when I can.
The Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity will accept credit cards as well as cheques and cash....and I can also confirm that there will be phone lines available for bidders who are not able to attend. There have already been enquiries about this, so contact Ty UK if you want to take part!
Light refreshments and a bar will be available, and confirmation emails will be sent to those who have registered by the end of this week - this promises to be a very special evening!!
Bean Watcher comments: (1) Thank you for sharing your update with us! (2) Ty UK has been very secretive about the names of the new beanies. However, a fairly reliable source indicates that just one of the two rumored names -- William or Henry -- is correct. (3) John confirms a rumor from the same source about a bigger friend that will be introduced. Hmmmm, a Ty Classic or Beanie Buddy? We'll have to wait and see!
October 27: Marilyn's Pictures of the Ty Rewards Duffel Bag
 Marilyn from Wisconsin shares pictures of the latest addition to her Ty collection -- a Ty Rewards duffel bag. This item (Ty reward) is available to eligible collectors who redeem reward points earned through the use of their Ty Master Card. Marilyn writes:
The Ty duffel bag I ordered came today... MBNA: CC011 is the style number. There is a large TY heart on the large front pocket. Two side zippered compartments, two front pockets each with 2 separate zippered areas plus the main area accessible by a double zipper on the top. There is a set of short hand-carry straps and a shoulder strap.
Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing your pictures with us!
October 26: Latest Ask Ty Response Posted
 The latest winning Ask Ty question and response have been posted. If you saw a ghost bear, who might it be? Just Ask Ty!
Q: Do you dress up for Halloween? If so, what are you going to be this year? (submitted by tyjr101)
A: I honestly can't remember the last time I dressed up for Halloween. Maybe this year I should . . . . dress up like Shudders !
October 26: New Feature - Counterfeit Beanies
One of my goals is to make the Bean Watcher site well-rounded and focus on all areas of interest to the Ty collector. With that being said, I will start posting occasional articles and items of interest related to counterfeit beanies. There are good sites and articles that highlight this topic. I will be sharing them with you. Stay tuned for more...!
October 26: Pictures of Tom Kitten and Jemima Puddle-Duck
 John from the UK (aka the phoenix) shares his fantastic pictures of two Beatrix Potter characters -- Tom Kitten and Jemima Puddle-duck. John writes:
The retail versions of the new Beatrix Potter set are now starting to appear in the UK - apparently there is a delay on delivery of Mr. Tod. There was a similar delay with the delivery of Mr Jeremy Fisher in the first set issued earlier this year. Hopefully Mr. Tod will not be long in getting here....!
To see John's pictures, click on the links below.
Bean Watcher comments: (1) Thank you for sharing your pictures with us! (2) The second Beatrix Potter trio was officially introduced on September 29, 2006.
October 26: October 2006's Silent Retirements
 Daniel from Maryland, webmaster of Beanie Universe, shares news of the silent retirements for October 2006. Here they are: |
