A COLLECTION of modern, limited-edition British Charlie Bears has sold at a Stockton auction for more than £58,500, the oldest of which was only 15-years-old.

The group was sold over two auctions, at Vectis Auctions in Thornaby, Stockton.

The company says it is extremely unusual when a new collectable achieves anywhere near the same value as older versions.

The prices recorded included a world record for a Charlie Bear sold at an auction house – Lot No. 471 Charlie Isabelle Collection Poem panda bear which saw the buyer pay £2,280 for the privilege of adopting him.

Lot 472 Betsy, which could be purchased originally for a retail price of £89.99 just a few years ago, sold for £825 – a return of 917 per cent.

Other highlights include Dion, a more traditional black and white panda sporting a collar of bells, selling for £1,920 and Tutti Frutti, who lived up to her name in ice cream shades of mohair, went for £1,200.

Bidding for the bears was fierce, with multiple commission (pre bids), telephone lines and internet platforms being a hive of activity with hundreds of bidders. The bears, many of which were UK exclusives and only available in very small limited edition numbers, will now be shipped to new owners all over the world.

William Morris, owner of Charlie Bears, said: “When we first started Charlie Bears, we always dreamt of creating fantastic affordable collectable pieces that children and adults alike could fall in love with which would also become heirlooms of the future for generations. It’s very thrilling to see our dreams turn to reality and to also see some much sought-after bears find new forever homes."

The collection came from one single vendor, purchased from 2006 until 2012 and was in as new condition.