The business was started after WW2 by Wilhelm and Berta Fechter. Berta Fechter [nee Bohn] came from Neustadt, a town at the heart of German Doll and Teddy production where she learnt her trade working at the factory of Nicol Steiner. The Fechters moved to Graz after the war, possibly a wise move as Neustadt became part of Eastern Germany after the wall went up. They started their business in a house in the Leonhardbach district and registered it in 1949. Their first products were reputedly made from any available materials including American army blankets but they quickly progressed to good quality mohair as it became available and later to synthetic plush.

Fechter Bears:

The most commonly found type of Fechter bear is that of the open mouthed ‘Teddy Baby’ type similar to Steiff but with its own unique touches. This bear can be found in various sizes, types and colours of mohair, and later, synthetic plush. Earlier bears had glass eyes and felt paws, later ones plastic eyes and short pile plush paws. All had the open felt mouths with red felt tongues. Fechter also made bears with closed mouths, not as easily found, as the open mouthed bears were certainly more popular in Austria. Collectors in the UK mostly favour closed mouth bears, my research concluding that the type of bear you had as a child plays a big part in determining which type you prefer!! Another characteristic of Fechter bears is their very firm woodwool stuffing. It is also interesting to note that much of the mohair used by Fechter was the same as used by Steiff, possibly from the same suppliers and obtained through Berta’s German connections. The pictures show a Fechter bear made from the long mohair as used for the mane of Steiff’s larger 'Leo' lion and another bear part of which is the same mohair as found in Steiff squirrel ‘Perri’