Old Bear Logo

[Novaln1975]

Anybody have any info about this bear logo? What year was it used and to what use?

I am retracing the logo for a project I cant talk about right now. This is the only pic I have and some detail is missing mainly around the fletchings. If by any chance someone could post a pic of the same logo but in better condition?

 
Thanks

Simon the BowLogoRetracer

[Novaln1975]

Small world. The pic I have comes from your Quiver.

PM sent Rich.

Simon

[Wade Phillips]

The Bear Archery Shop of Detroit was founded in 1947... It was simply the old Bear manufacturing facility in Detroit when they moved manufacturing to Grayling. Fred used the Detroit facility for a retail store and made shooting lanes.

Check your 1947 and 1948 "Archery" magazines, Fred ran more than one advertisement for the "Bear Archery Shop of Detroit".

The Pot Belly Bear was used for several advertising items and from time to time his image changed from what you see here. He, (I am assuming the bear is a HE rather than a SHE), was used on decals and patches.

I have a Bear Scabbard quiver and a couple of arrows with the Pot Belly Bear as well as one unused water transfer decal. The decals were simply a means of advertising and could have been stuck on anything.

The Pot Belly Bear is a Cool Dude.

[Novaln1975]

Wade

With the lack of detail on the pic, I can not determine for sure if it’s a HE or a SHE. I can see that he genderless bear is left handed ...

So this logo was used locally around Detroit then. Cool stuff. Looks like it was intended for the youth crowd. Would have made a great animated character too. I wonder if Bear ever have TV ads?

Simon

[Wade Phillips]

Simon -

Yes, the Pot Belly Bear is shooting left handed. If you look close you may see part of his ring finger missing on his right hand      My guess is that the bear was intended to be a he.

Trap -

Is Hamm's Beer still being brewed? In the 1950s, the Hamm's Bear animated TV commercials were funny.

[Rick Enos]

Hope this turns out.

 

[Wade Phillips]

Rick - Nice patch. Here another from 1955... This is perhaps the most common Bear item with the Pot Belly Bear.

 

[johnnyrazorhead]

Got this old Detroit made Western quiver and arrows from a former  employee of Bear Archery while it was still in Detroit.His father worked for Fred as well.The pot-belly Bear was created by a former member of the Detroit Archers,Eugene "Pinky" Reeber.Pinky also had some of his  cartoons featured in the old "Archery" magazines in the 1940's and the Detroit Archers club newsletters.I've got a picture of Pinky around here,I'll post it when I find it.
 
 

[jcar315]

Very nice quiver John.

I am afraid that if any pics exist of me shooting they might be referred to as the "pot-bellied guy!!!"

[Novaln1975]

johnnyrazorhead

That patch is exactly what I need. If you have time, would you please take close-up pic in the highest resolution possible of the bear only and send it by e-mail to

[email protected]

There is some detail on that patch that is missing on my pic and would be greatly appreciated.

That’s great stuff guys. Thanks for the help and Info.

Simon

[johnnyrazorhead]

Simon-Ill take as good of a picture as my old digital camera will allow.

[Novaln1975]

Thanks Johnny

I am sure it will be enough.

I´ll keep you posted on the evolution of the project.

Simon

[bowhawk archer]

I had some shirts made up with the old Bear logo.
Looks pretty cool !

[450 marlin]

Rob,

   The shirts look great..can't wait to see them in person...Roy

[ckruse]

Use your imagination and edit the above statement! LOL     CKruse

[ckruse]

I think the cold medicine has gotten to me. Better self-edit before I get into trouble! CKruse

[TonyW]

Please don't delete me.