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Bunnies by the Dozen

(published in the February/March, 1999 issue of Beaniemania)

Rabbits have long been a favorite design of Ty in his Attic Treasure's line with representation in all generations of production.  The 1993 introduction of Sara and Jeremy are two of the most highly prized of the collection.  They are 12 inches tall with poseable cotton-lined ears.  Sara and Jeremy are both reported to be designed by Ty Warner, but when they were initially manufactured, they had the standard 1st generation single heart hang tag (ACE definition) and a special white silky tush tag with a red facsimile of a different artist's signature on it.  Interestingly, the artist's name on their tush tags was Linda Harris.  This "special artist's edition" tush tag is only found on two other Attic Treasures:  Fraser and Henry Gold.  Because of their rarity, these four Attic Treasures are the most valuable and extremely sought after members of the collection.

The eyes are another unique feature of the special edition 1st generation Sara and Jeremy.  They are the two-tone eyes that were later used on the cat trio of Whiskers, Purrcy, and Pouncer,  It is extremely interesting to note that these "cat-eyes" were NOT used on the cats in the 1st generation and were NOT used in the later 1st generation productions of Sara and Jeremy with the more common black and white tush tag.    In addition to the different eyes, early Saras have bright pink paw pads and ear linings in contrast to the more muted tones of the later ones.  Early Jeremy's paw and ear linings are a dark peach color as compared to the tan color on the later versions.  The stitching on both early Sara and Jeremy was dark brown as compared to the later rust color.  Other than these differences, Sara and Jeremy remained essentially unchanged through the next few years, until in their 5th generation production run when they acquired clothing.  Jeremy can be found in either plum overalls with tan and gray buttons or in the classically styled burgundy sweater also worn by Barry the bear.  Sara got lovely pink velour overalls with a pink rose.  Jeremy, #6008  and Sara #6007 were retired after the 5th generation, but Sara got a new lease on production in 1998 with three additional inches in height and a new style number $6120. 

The next generation of Attic Treasures included the new introductions of Benjamin #6023 and Shelby #6024, two eight inch bunnies.  Both of these darlings were originally and incorrectly, tagged as members of the Beanie Babies Collection.  These hang tags were eventually corrected resulting in an overly large run of 2nd generation Shelbys and Benjamins.  In fact, there have been no confirmed reports of Shelbys or Benjamins in either the 3rd or 4th generations possibly as a result of the large 2nd generation run.  The next time Shelby and Benjamin were produced, they sported 5th generation hang tags and clothes.  Shelby, with her light tan coloring, wore an adorable little flowered dress and Benjamin, with his dark brown coloring sported a dapper green striped sweater vest.

Fifth generation also brought a new rabbit to the line in the form of Heather.  Heather, designed by Ty Warner, is a large white rabbit with dangly legs and is singly responsible for luring more than one unsuspecting person (including myself) into becoming an Attic Addict.  She was initially manufactured with a burgundy neck ribbon, but eventually was clothed in blue and white pinstriped overalls with blue buttons.  She was retired in 1997, along with Jeremy, Benjamin, and the small Sara.

The mass retirement of the Attics in 1997 led many collectors to fear that Ty, Inc. was preparing to do away with the Attic line, but the new 1998 Ty catalog quelled their fears with the introduction of a whole slew of new creations including an unprecedented six new bunnies.

Iris, Ivy, and rose, a trio of small rabbits based on the pattern used for Benjamin and Shelby were among the first Attics released with the sixth generation hang tag.  Ivy has the same white fur as Heather, but is only 10 inches high and wears pretty pale green corduroy overalls,  Rose appears to be a twin sister to Benjamin as she shares the same dark brown fur, but wears light rose colored corduroy overalls with a pink flower appliqué.  Iris, a light tan colored bunny, is dressed in pastel purple overalls with a dark purple flower.  All three of the sisters arrived in stores in time for Spring. (* note that these three bunnies were recently retired on 12-31-98)

Bloom, another of the 1998 new releases, is smaller than Heather and larger than Ivy.  She appears to be made using the same basic pattern and the same white fuzzy fur material.  With her adorable garden motif cotton dress and matching blue ear bow.  Bloom was quickly adopted by Attic Treasure collectors as one of "the family."  Unfortunately, her time in the Attic collection was brief, as she was retired in May, 1998, just a few short months after her introduction.

Continuing the tradition of producing Attics in duos and trios,  Ty introduced us in the spring of 1998 to the 6th generation duo of Sidney $6121 and a newly designed Sara #6120.  The new Sara is a 15" larger version of the earlier 12" Sara with the same pink velour jumpsuit and flower appliqué.  She was given a new style number and her paws and the lining of her ears are pink instead of off-white.  Her sister Sidney looks suspiciously like a larger version of Jeremy except she is dressed in the same burgundy outfit worn by Ebony, the black cat.

In this 1998 collection, one of the most unique additions to the bunny clan is Strawbunny, a scrawny floppy eared bunny with pink napped fur and oval shaped black eyes.  She is approximately 10" high.  Many collectors were disappointed with her homely appearance.  Due to her oval, flat, black eyes, the members of the Attic Treasure's mailing list on the Internet quickly gave her the moniker of "Strawalien."

The latest and most sought after rabbit to be introduced to the Attic Treasure line is Gloria.  Gloria was introduced to retailers at the Toy Fair in New York earlier in 1998.  At first glance, she appears to be a twin to Bloom, but on closer inspection, there is a major difference - Gloria is most definitely smiling - a sharp contrast to the rest of the bunny line.  Perhaps it's because she loves her darling patriotic overalls, or perhaps it's just that she's happy to e a part of the Attic Treasure's family, but whatever the reason, Gloria is destined to become one of the top favorites of collectors.  Gloria began arriving in stores in late June and collectors everywhere scrambled to find her.  Ty, once again, caught us by surprise with an "attics only" retirement announcement on August 1st, 1998, and Gloria was among the ten on the list.  Many storeowners were upset because they never had the opportunity to have her on the shelves before she was retired.  It appears likely that only the retailers who ordered her at the Toy Fair were able to get her.  She is in extremely limited supply and we expect her collectibility to be among the highest of the Attic line. 

Be sure to check out the interviews with the designers