Princess Diana Tribute Beanie Baby (1st Edition, PVC Pellets)

This item is a 1997 Ty Inc. Princess Beanie Baby bear produced in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales. The bear is composed of deep royal purple polyester plush fabric (tush tag visible in part) and is stuffed with PVC pellets, which is a key indicator of earlier production runs compared to the later PE pellet versions. It features a hand-stitched white rose on its left chest, symbolizing her charitable legacy. The face is adorned with black plastic safety eyes and a matching black plastic nose. A distinctive purple ribbon is tied around its neck. The bear is presented in 'mint' or near-mint condition, housed inside a hard acrylic protective display case. Per the provided context, it features a 4th generation heart-shaped 'swing tag'. The fabric appears vibrant with no visible fading, though the reflection in the acrylic makes fine texture analysis difficult. The overall construction displays the standard floppy, bean-filled structure characteristic of the line. The manufacturer's stamp on the tush tag would typically indicate production in China/Indonesia, identifying this as an early tribute piece released in the fall of 1997. There are no visible stains, tears, or repair marks, and the swing tag appears crisp and well-preserved within the case.