Animatronic Bear Possibly Linked to Jeff Koons Heads to Auction

A seven-foot radio-controlled animatronic bear, one of the earliest known examples of its kind, is being auctioned at Roseberys London on July 9 with an estimate of £10,000–£20,000 ($13,500–$26,700). The bear was designed and commissioned by British writer and film producer Stephen Marians for the unaired 1970s children's TV show Toy Shop. Marians later used it for charity events, including a 1985 Save the Children fundraiser where a photograph captured the bear embracing a police officer. That image, taken by Mike Hollist, was published in UK newspapers and as postcards. In 2014, Marians recognized the scene in Jeff Koons's sculpture Bear and Policeman (1988), part of the artist's 'Banality' series, which was featured in a Hayward Gallery exhibition poster. Koons has never disclosed his inspiration, but the sculpture has become iconic, with editions selling for millions at auction. The bear, now in need of restoration, comes with a trove of photographs, documents, and clippings documenting its history.