The teddy bear, that cute 20th century superstar and everyone's favorite childhood soft toy, has an enviable pedigree. Launched into existence more than a hundred decades back by no less than a former President of the USA at America, and almost simultaneously in Germany, teddy bears proceeded to catch the public imagination as no other stuffed toy has done up to now. It had been cuddly, endearing and reassuring. Little wonder than almost everybody, from distinguished statesmen to the child in the neighbourhood clamoured for one.

Were most famous teddy bears that in 1985, London's auction house Christies held its first-ever auction of old teddy bears? Teddy bears are, undoubtedly, everybody's favourite stuffed animal.

Here are a Few of the all-time favorites:

1. Winnie the Pooh / Pooh Bear

Winnie the Pooh is possibly one of the most famous bears ever. He is a fictional character created by A.A Milne, a highly regarded author and playwright. His birth has an intriguing story...

During a routine stop of a train carrying troops from Winnipeg (Manitoba, Canada) to eastern Canada through the WWI, in White River, Ontario, a young lieutenant Harry Colebourn bought a small female black bear cub in the guy who'd just shot its mother. The orphan was called'Winnipeg', after his hometown of Winnipeg, also shortened to'Winnie'.

In December 1919, Colebourn presented the London Zoo with Winnie in which it immediately turned into a massive attraction. The London Zoo became Winnie's home till she died in 1934.

Christopher Robin, son of author A.A. Milne, used to appreciate this small, black bear and had nicknamed his own stuffed bear'Winnie'. It had been his son's fascination for this bear that prompted Milne to write a whole series of novels about Winnie the Pooh. Incidentally, the title of Pooh initially belonged to a swan. 'Winnie-the-Pooh' was published by Methuen on October 14th, 1926.

Today, children's toy stores are dominated by Pooh paraphernalia. There are Winnie-the-Pooh bears, clothes, bedding, animated cartoons, and even web sites.

2. Paddington Bear

A classic among children's literature, Paddington Bear was charming children of all ages since it was first created by a British author, Michael Bond, in 1958.

Bond depended upon a teddy bear sitting somewhat forlornly onto a shelf in a shop near Paddington Station in London in 1956. Something about this solitary monster caught Bond's imagination and he shortly penned the first book called'A Bear Called Paddington'. This adorable little bear is actually an immigrant who hailed from Darkest Peru. He hid himself on the lifeboat of a ship and came in England, as advised by his Aunt Lucy who had reared him so far.

This tiny bear instantly endeared himself to its young (and not-so-young) readers along with his old hat, battered suitcase, duffle jacket and enjoy of marmalade sandwiches. Although he had a knack for getting into trouble, he also had an almost-human feeling of right and wrong and penalizing wild adventures.

The very first Paddington Bear soft toy was made in 1972 by Gabrielle Designs, a small business run by Shirley and Eddie Clarkson. It was Shirley Clarkson who gave young Paddington his signature Wellington boots to help the bear stand upright.