The item was made by the TY Corporation of Oak Brook, Illinois
8" tall
Hi Ronald,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
Beanie Babies (BBs) were enormously popular in the 1990s and widely collected, with the consequence that now there are many "on the market" without nearly enough demand for the supply so values on most individual beanie babies are low.
The BB market is often subject to overvaluation and there are myths surrounding BB values, both for ones with - and without - tag errors (for discussion on tag errors, see https://www.vox.com/the-goods/22870250/nft-beanie-baby-price-guide-bubble-princess-value ).
Websites like eBay and Etsy - which are unregulated - are rampant with fraudulent sellers posting BB at exorbitantly high prices and then the BBs either don't sell or sell privately at undisclosed prices. (For an article that goes into detail about this, see: https://www.vice.com/en/article/epnwmn/investigating-the-fake-ebay-market-for-dollar25000-beanie-babies).
Ty released "Erin" in March 1997; TY Inc. has never released exact production numbers for individual Beanie Babies, including "Erin" the bear, which was retired in 1999.
Like 99.9999% of all beanie babies, this has a very nominal value: $20-30 at auction.
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:
A near vintage Ty "Erin" beanie baby
dated 1997
The emerald-green bear with shamrock on its breast, heart-shaped "ear" tag and folded tush tag, made in China, with PE pellets
8 inches tall
CONDITION: This appears to be in good condition
PROVENANCE: Acquired at a garage/yard sale
$20-30*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.
Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia
We appreciate your business, Ronald, and look forward to being of assistance in the future, if and when you need it.
Be well,
Delia
Thank you for a quick reply, and a very informative appraisal as it gives me great insight into the value of a couple other beanie babies in
my possession. I would gladly use Mearto again in the future should the need arise.