Ever Wonder What Mohair Really Is And Where It Comes From?

I did a bit of research way back in the beginning of 2005 about your collectible teddy bear's mohair and I still continue to get questions regarding what mohair is.  So I thought that it would be worthwhile to track down this article, and hopefully it might be of interest to you? (I've updated it slightly as some of the products that were carried at Beacon's Glow Collectibles way back in 2005 are no longer in existence.)

"Did you know that your teddy bear’s mohair coat comes from the luxuriant fleece of the Angora mohair goat? Did you also know that their fleece is shorn from their coat similar to that of sheep?

Angora goats took their name from the ancient Turkish city of Ankara, which was very close to where they originated. The Turks thought so highly of these special goats that none left the country until the sixteenth century. The first exports landed in Spain and France, but Angoras didn't reach American shores until 1849. The most valuable characteristic of the Angora, as compared to other goats is the value of the mohair that is clipped. The average goat in the U.S. shears approximately 5.3 pounds of mohair per shearing and are usually sheared twice a year – once in the spring and once again in the early fall.

The United States has developed into one of the two largest producing nations of mohair in the world with an annual production in excess of 2.4 million pounds. This was all due to the initial importation of a small flock of seven does and two bucks in 1849.The other two principal sources of mohair are South Africa and Turkey. Texas, with a herd of 220,000 goats is the primary mohair region of the United States. The main region is on Edwards Plateau in Southwest Texas, where the mild dry climate and hilly, brushy terrain are particularly well suited for raising Angora goats due to their dry mountain origin. It is a well-known fact that Angora goats produce the best mohair in hot areas with low rainfall, which explains why Texas is well-suited for raising Angora goats.

Mohair fleece has always been the superior fabric for making teddy bears. There are many reasons for this:1) mohair has an incredible luster to it, and dyed mohair resists fading caused by time and the elements and is very hard wearing; 2) mohair is almost non-flammable; 3) mohair is considered the most durable animal fiber; 4) the natural fibers from mohair have the ability to absorb and release atmospheric moisture; 5) mohair is characteristically resistant to soiling; and 6) mohair possesses great tensile strength.Diameter to diameter it is stronger than steel!

That is why Beacon’s Glow Collectibles has chosen to become retailers of several well-known collectible teddy bear manufacturers that specialize in the creation and production of mohair bears. Charlie Bears, Steiff, Clemens Bears, and Kaycee Bears each carry this distinction.

For centuries, mohair has symbolized style and grace worldwide, and it is no wonder that nothing takes the place of mohair when quality is paramount.Collectible teddy bears made of mohair certainly earn their place as true heirloom items to be treasured by every generation."

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