Assembled below is a database of the original Beanie tags starting from their inception until the discontinuation of Beanie Babies in 1999. Beanies relaunched in the year 2000 forward will not be covered in this format. I have included the 30th-anniversary Beanies as an exception.
CHRONOLOGY
“Original 9” Beanies introduced in the UK were first issued with this “Pre-1st generation” hang tag (left). “Original 9” Korean beanies were later issued with a UK sticker on the backs of 1g Korean hang tags (right).
1G/1G: UK sticker, 5 line Korean
1G/1G: 5 line China
2G/1G: standard issue
2G/1G: Embroidered tush tag, Canadian
3G/1G: “3A” hang tag
3G/1G: one copyright symbol, 36 months hang tag, some beanies will have a right-sided tush tag
3G/1G: one copyright symbol, 36 months hang tag, flat Canadian tush tag.
3G/1G: Korean (one copyright symbol, 36 months hang tag)
3G/1G: UK hang tag (one copyright symbol, 36 months hang tag)
3G/1G: three copyright symbols hang tag, 36 months hang tag
3G/2G: three copyright symbols, 36 months hang tag “FOR AGES 3 AND UP” tush tag
3G/2G: three copyright symbols hang tag, 36 months hang tag, “FOR AGES 3 AND UP” tush tag, Looped Canadian
3G/2G: “child” hang tag, “FOR AGES 3 AND UP” tush tag
3G/2G: “child” hang tag, omitted “FOR AGES 3 AND UP” tush tag
4th Gen Hang Tag Intro
Outlined below are some specifics to better understand how TyPlushArchive will be differentiating tags. The timeline seems to fit best when separating these into two independent timelines. 1) Bold tush tags and non-bolded tush tags. These may correspond to two main factories producing Beanies.
Comparing the reverse
Rows:
1) BOLD and the
2) non-Bolded
Columns:
1) “SUFRACE” error (3g tush tag)
2) “SURFACE” (3&4g tush tag)
3) large “CE” (5g tush tag)
4) PVC→PE (in 6g tush tag)
5) “TY”→”Ty” (in 6g tush tag)
Tush Tag versions
3rd: SUFRACE: Made in China, Made in Korea
3rd: SURFACE: Made in China, bold and not
4th generation: sticker or printed, bold, and not
5th generation: bold and not
6th generation: bold and not, PVC and PE, “TY” and “Ty”, Stamp or not, China and Indonesia
The Stamp inside the tush tag can be red, pink, or purple
When trying to tell the difference between bold and not, look at the & symbol, the G in “REG.” However, once you start comparing it, it is more obvious that the font on bold tags looks elongated, and the tag itself feels like a more rigid plastic.
4g & 5g Hang Tag Chronology
Bold tush tag timeline
Bold 3g “SUFRACE” tush tag
(Beanine error)
Note the placement of the TM and CE symbols on the Libearty tush tag in comparison to the subsequent tush tag. This is the first version of the 3g tush tag and, although it’s very common, it’s interesting to note this version is distinctly different than any other later tush tags. You will only find this tush tag on Libearty and Libearty was the very first Beanie Baby released with a tush tag bearing its name.
The two tush tags on left are second generation. The first states “FOR AGES 3 AND UP” which is omitted on the 2nd example. This carries onto the 3rd generation tush tags on right.
Comparing the 3rd generation tush tags on right. The first run of the 3rd generation tush tag (Libearty) has several changes when compared to the following tush tag (Bones).
1) “Beanie Babies™” changed to “The Beanie Babies Collection™” all in a different font
2) the Ty heart design changed slightly along with the ®
3) the & from the line “POLYESTER FIBER &” on the 2nd generation tush tag was moved to the next line to make room for the “CE” The CE also changed placement and font on the last tag.
4G/3G: Bold Waterloo Libearty “Summer Olympics” hang tag “Liberty” is capitalized in the Poem, this tag has also been found with the website cut off.
4G/3G: Bold Waterloo Libearty “Summer Olympics” hang tag. Liberty capitalized in the Poem, scratch off tag
4G/3G: Bold Waterloo Libearty “Summer Olympics” hang tag. Liberty capitalized in the Poem, website cut off tag
4G/3G: Standard Bold Waterloo hang tag, website cut off tag
4G/3G: Standard Bold Waterloo hang tag, website scratch-out
Bold 3g “SUFRACE” tush tag
4G/3G: Bold Waterloo hang tag
4G/3G: Bold Waterloo hang tag, website sticker
4G/3G: Bold Waterloo hang tag, no website
4G/3G: Bold Waterloo hang tag, CE sticker
4G/3G: Bold Waterloo hang tag, KOREAN, website sticker
4G/3G: Bold Waterloo hang tag, KOREAN, website sticker, CE sticker
Bold 3g “SURFACE” tush tag
4G/3G: Bold Waterloo hang tag, no website
4G/3G: Bold Waterloo hang tag, no website
4G/3G: Bold Waterloo hang tag
4G/3G: Bold Waterloo “ALL CAPS” hang tag
4G/3G: Bold Fareham hang tag
4G/3G: Bold Fareham “ALL CAPS” hang tag
Transitional 4th/5th hang tags
To better understand what is meant by old and new font as mentioned moving forward, it may help to illustrate the transition of this font.
Early 4th Generation Bold Waterloo hang tag, note the font on
1) “BEANIE ORIGINAL BABY” within star
2) “The Beanie Babies™ Collection”
3) “UK” not mentioned on the bottom line of the Ty UK address
4) Birthdate inline with Beanie name
5) Barcode number font
Late 4th Generation hang tag, note the font on
1) “BEANIE ORIGINAL BABY” within star unchanged
1) “The Beanie Babies Collection” is paced differently to add the ™ to the end and the ® in its place
2) “UK” not mentioned on the bottom line of the Ty Europe address
3) Birthdate offset with Beanie name
4) Barcode number font is the same
Early 5th Generation hang tag, note the font on
1) “BEANIE ORIGINAL BABY” within star updated for 5th gen
2) “The Beanie Babies Collection” is simplified under one ® symbol, the underline is now a little large for this title as it was not changed
3) “UK” may or may not be mentioned on the bottom line of the Ty Europe address
4) Birthdate format is changed completely which does not change again
5) Barcode number font is the same, note an alternate old font on Patti
Next 5th Generation hang tag, note the font on
1) “BEANIE ORIGINAL BABY” within star slightly different arc
2) “The Beanie Babies Collection” is now “New Font”, the 5th generation hang tags above are “Old Font” the font is now relaxed and the underline is in line with the title.
3) “UK” may or may not be mentioned on the bottom line of the Ty Europe address
4) Birthdate format is the same but the “New font” is evident on this side of the tag
5) Barcode number font is also part of this “New Font”, note Patti also updates while also being indonesian
Bold 6g (only ® at the end) PE tush tag
HANDMADE IN INDONESIA
5G/6G: Ty Europe “U.K.” hang tag (Handmade in Indonesia)
non-Bolded tush tag timeline
non-Bolded 3g “SURFACE” tush tag
4G/3G: Bold Waterloo hang tag
4G/3G: non-Bolded Waterloo hang tag
4G/3G: non-Bolded Fareham hang tag
non-Bolded 4g star sticker tush tag
(the last tush tag above with a star sticker added)
4G/4G: non-Bolded Fareham hang tag
non-Bolded 4g (star) tush tag
4G/4G: Bold Fareham hang tag
4G/4G: Fareham non-bolded tag
4G/4G: non-Bold Ty Canada hang tag
non-Bolded 6g (only ® at the end) PVC tush tag
4G/6G: 4th generation non-Bolded Ty Canada hang tag
non-Bolded 6g (only ® at the end) PVC tush tag
HANDMADE IN INDONESIA
5G/6G: Ty Europe “U.K.” hang tag (Handmade in Indonesia)
non-Bolded 6g (only ® at the end) PE tush tag
HANDMADE IN CHINA
5G/6G: Ty Europe “U.K.” hang tag
5G/6G: Ty Europe “U.K.” hang tag, (STAMP inside tush tag)
non-Bolded 6g (only ® at the end) PE tush tag
“TY”→”Ty”
(STAMP inside tush tag)
5G/6G: Ty Europe “U.K.” hang tag
5G/6G: Ty Europe “Gasport” hang tag
5G/6G: Ty Europe “Gosport” hang tag
CHRONOLOGY SUMMARY
Hang Tags
1st generation: Made in Korea, Made in China, UK triangle sticker version 1 and 2, UK square sticker, German square sticker
2nd generation: Made in China, German/Korean, UK, embroidered/Canadian
3rd generation: Made in China, Made in Korea, German
4th generation
Bold: no website, website sticker, Waterlooville, Fareham, Ty Canada
non-bold: Waterlooville, Fareham, Ty Canada
5th generation: Ty Europe no “UK” old font, Ty Europe “UK” new font, Gasport, Gosport
I have summarized all tags in gallery format so you may have an opportunity to see them more closely side by side. This will allow you to note the obvious and subtle differences in chronology.
Front
Inside
4th gen Bold Waterloo
4th gen Bold Fareham, Ty Canada
4th gen non-Bolded Waterloo, Fareham, Ty Canada
5th gen Old Font no “UK” and “UK”
5th gen New Font no “UK” and “UK”
Back of tag Bold/old font
note closed 4 vs open 4 depending on the style number
Back of tag new font
Tush Tags
1st generation: 4 line and 5 line made in Korea, Made in China, German Korean, German, UK
2nd generation: “FOR AGES 3 AND UP” or not
3rd: SUFRACE: Made in China, Made in Korea
3rd: SURFACE: Made in China, bold and not
4th generation: sticker or printed, bold, and not
5th generation: bold and not
6th generation: bold and not, PVC and PE, “TY” and “Ty”, Stamp or not, China and Indonesia
The Stamp inside the tush tag can be red, pink, or purple
KEY
3 main versions of 4g hang tag
1) Waterloo tag – Oakbrook/Waterloo/Deutschlan
2) Fareham tag – Oakbrook/Fareham/Deutschland
3) “Ty Canada” tag – Oakbrook/Fareham/Canada
What does bolded mean?
This is in reference to the text inside the yellow star on the front of the 4th generation hang tag. Earlier tags have a bolder font that has rounded edges. The later 4th generation tags, which I do not indicate as bolded, will have a lighter, non-bolded font with sharp 90-degree edges to each letter instead of rounded edges. Please read the full page to understand Bold tush tags.
Hang tag and tush tag combinations
