Millennio 1996 (certificate no. 01121), a showcase bear; investment and collector's item.
Age: A little over a year.
Career path: In 1902 Richard Steiff of Germany designed his first jointed bear, and by 1907 our family was famous and sought after around the world. I am 35 centimetres tall and have a coat of fine white curly mohair. Like all Steiff bears, I have a numbered ear tag which guarantees my authenticity. I am a traditional growler, decorated with a red satin ribbon, and my paws feature Austria's national colours.
I have belonged to Jan Svoboda, who collects exclusive bears, for about six months. Jan really wanted me because he is Italian-Austrian, and I belong to a limited, commemorative edition of 1,500 bears made to celebrate a thousand years of Austrian history. Jan approached the Steiff Teddy Bear Clubs in Hong Kong and elsewhere in Asia, and they started a worldwide search for me. It took four months before I was found in a tiny shop in Bavaria, Germany, from where I was flown to Singapore.
Millennio's Day: Shortly after acquiring me for US$450 (HK$3,475) Jan moved from Singapore to Hong Kong. We now live in Mid-Levels in a bachelor pad. We teddy bears - there are 10 of us, all Steiffs - live in a tall glass cabinet. I sit beside Harmony, also rather special because he was created to celebrate the handover. He has long curly mohair fur and a much friendlier expression than me because he is supposed to be happy about Hong Kong's return to the Motherland. My expression is more aloof, so although I am one of Jan's favourites people are not automatically drawn to me. I have a 32-year-old Steiff brother, but Jan, also 32, recently took him back to Vienna to stay with Jan's mother; he was worried that the humidity in Hong Kong could affect him. He is worth a fortune and needs special care, but we miss him.
Jan is good to us. He spends a lot of time at work, in the hotel industry. He is out late, but when he is here he sits us near him. If he is having guests we are put out around the room so they can stroke us. I am happy with my lot. Our cabinet is cosy, and from my shelf I have a view of the city. I have the finest company and an elite existence, I think.
Perks: Grooming with a soft brush.