Libearty Bear Appraisal

Ty Libearty the Bear McDonald's Teenie Beanie Baby (1996)

This item is a Ty Libearty the Bear Teenie Beanie Baby, a promotional toy distributed by McDonald's in 1996. It comes sealed in its original, unopened blister packaging. The package features a cardboard backing card and a clear plastic bubble encasing the plush toy. The cardboard backing is brightly colored, predominantly red, white, and blue, mimicking the American flag with stars and stripes. Prominently displayed on the card is the McDonald's 'M' logo, the Ty heart logo, and the name 'Libearty the Bear', along with the 'AMERICAN TRIO' designation. A stylized image of the Liberty Bell is central to the card design, set against a cloudy sky background. Text on the card includes a short poem: 'I am called Liberty / I wear the flag for all to see / Hope and freedom is my way / That's why I wear flag USA'. Important manufacturing details are visible, stating 'CONTENTS MADE IN CHINA'. The date of distribution is listed as 'June 29, 1996', with a 'Date of Birth: Summer 1996' for the bear. The plush bear itself is a small, off-white or cream-colored plush animal. It features a red, white, and blue striped ribbon around its neck, resembling a patriotic bow, and a small embroidered American flag design on its right hip. The bear's eyes appear black and bead-like, typical of Beanie Babies. The plush material appears soft and in excellent, pristine condition due to being sealed in its original packaging. No visible signs of wear, damage, or repairs are present on either the toy or the packaging, indicating it has been well-preserved since its release. This item is a clear example of 1990s promotional toy craftsmanship, designed for mass distribution and collection, and represents a specific period in Ty's marketing strategy.