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{{Short description|Donald Campbell's Teddy Bear}}
'''Mr Whoppit''' was the teddy bear mascot of ], the ] and ] holder.
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2017}}
{{Infobox mascot
|image = Mr Whoppit in cockpit with Campbell 1964.jpg
|image_size = 260px
|caption = Mr Whoppit in the cockpit with Campbell at ] in 1964
|team = ]
|description = ]
}}
'''Mr Whoppit''' was the ] ] of ], the ] and ] holder. Writing in his 2011 book, ''Donald Campbell: The Man Behind The Mask'', journalist ] described Whoppit as Campbell's "magic ]".<ref name="Tremayne2011">{{cite book|author=David Tremayne|title=Donald Campbell: The Man Behind The Mask|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=baPO0cDRZhoC&pg=PA227|date=30 September 2011|publisher=Transworld|isbn=978-1-4464-3849-7|pages=227}}</ref>


As was his father ], Donald Campbell was highly superstitious. Both consulted spiritualist mediums and fortune tellers, Donald also placed his faith in a lucky mascot, Mr Whoppit. He refused to drive unless Whoppit was with him. One of his wife ]'s tasks was to hand Whoppit to him on entering the cockpit.<ref name="Tonia Bern-Campbell" >{{cite book As was his father ], Donald Campbell was highly superstitious.<ref name="Knowles, Whoppit" >{{Cite book
|title=The Bluebird Years
|last=Knowles |first=Arthur
⚫ |publisher=Sigma Leisure
⚫ |year=2001
|isbn=978-1-85058-766-8
|ref={{harvid|Knowles|The Bluebird Years}}
|page=103
}}</ref><ref name="Knowles, superstition" >{{harvnb|Knowles|The Bluebird Years| page=136 }}</ref> Both consulted spiritualist mediums and fortune tellers, Donald also placed his faith in a lucky mascot, Mr Whoppit. He refused to drive unless Whoppit was with him.<ref name="Knowles, Whoppit" /> One of his wife ]'s tasks was to hand Whoppit to him on entering the cockpit.<ref name="Tonia Bern-Campbell" >{{cite book
|title=My Speed King |title=My Speed King
|author=Tonia Bern-Campbell |author=Tonia Bern-Campbell
Line 7: Line 25:
|publisher=Sutton Publishing |publisher=Sutton Publishing
|year=2002 |year=2002
}}</ref> }}</ref><ref>{{cite book
|title=Bluebird and the Dead Lake
|last=Pearson |first=John
|isbn=978-1-78131-172-1
|publisher=Aurum Press
⚫ |year=2002
|page=47
}}</ref><ref name="Holter, 111" >{{cite book
⚫ |title=Leap Into Legend
|last=Holter |first=Steve
⚫ |isbn=1-85058-794-9
|publisher=Sigma Press
|year=2002
|page=111
}}</ref> Whoppit was noted in 2003 by reporter Frank Bennett as being part of the "threesome" arriving for the 1964 record run {{ndash}} the others being Campbell himself, and his wife. Bennett remarked that the mascot was in the cockpit each time, along with other memorabilia.<ref name="abc.net.au negus 20030512">{{cite news | url=http://www.abc.net.au/dimensions/dimensions_in_time/Transcripts/s852734.htm | title=Donald Campbell's 'Bluebird' | work=] | date=12 May 2003 | accessdate=3 February 2014 | author=Negus, George | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606025211/http://www.abc.net.au/dimensions/dimensions_in_time/Transcripts/s852734.htm | archive-date=6 June 2013 | url-status=dead }}</ref>


Whoppit was with Campbell during his serious crash during a land-speed record attempt at the ] in 1960, driving the ]. Whoppit was with Campbell during his serious crash during a land-speed record attempt at the ] in 1960, driving the ]. After the crash, Mr.Whoppit was given to Campbell in the hospital. "Great comfort, old Whoppit" he said before falling asleep.<ref>{{cite news |title=Teddy bear found after Campbell's fatal crash\Mascot helped speed king overcome fears. |publisher=Daily Telegraph |date=3 January 1996}}</ref>


Campbell was killed during a record attempt on ] in 1967, while driving the jet hydroplane ]. His body wasn't recovered, although Mr Whoppit floated free and was found almost immediately (Campbell's body was finally located and recovered in 2001). Campbell died as a result of a crash while driving his jet hydroplane ] in a record attempt on ] in 1967. His body was not recovered, although Mr Whoppit floated free and was found almost immediately by ].<ref>{{harvnb|Holter|2002| pages=145,155 }}</ref> Campbell's body was finally located and recovered in 2001.


Campbell also named one of his dogs 'Whoppit'.<ref name="Tonia Bern-Campbell" /> Campbell also named one of his dogs 'Whoppit'.<ref name="Tonia Bern-Campbell" /> Another teddy bear mascot was found as a 'wife' for Whoppit, named 'Mrs Whacko',<ref name="Holter, 111" /> who did not ride with Whoppit but stayed with Tonia and the pit crew.

] and his brother George also kept teddy bears tied to their raceboat engines. <ref name="Gar Wppd" >{{cite book
⚫ |title=Speed Boat Kings
|author=J. Lee Barrett
⚫ |isbn=0-915056-21-6
⚫ |publisher=Hardscrabble Books
⚫ |year=1986
}}</ref>


==Mr Whoppit's origins== ==Mr Whoppit's origins==
'Woppit' first appeared as a cartoon strip 'The story of Woppit' about a toy teddy bear, from the first issue of the comic ] in 1953.<ref>{{citation |title=The Teddy Bear Book |page= |isbn=0394730801 |author=Peter Bull |year=1969 |quote=Another bear to be proud of is Mr. Woppit, who belonged to the late Donald Campbell, C.B.E. ... He is named after a character which appeared in the first number of a popular children's comic called "Robin". |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/teddybearbook00pete/page/102 }}</ref> In 1956, ] manufactured a 9-inch tall Woppit bear wearing a red felt jacket<ref name=Maniera>{{cite book|last=Maniera|first=Leyla|title=Christie's Century of Teddy Bears|year=2003|publisher=Pavilion|isbn=978-1862055957|page=1962}}</ref> and one of these was given to Donald by his close friend and manager Peter Barker.<ref name="Tremayne, Behind The Mask" >{{cite book
'Woppit' first appeared as a cartoon strip ']' about a toy teddy bear, from the first issue of the comic ] in 1953.<ref name="Bearalley" >{{cite book
|title=Woppit
|author=Steve Holland
⚫ |year=2007
}} <nowiki>http://bearalley.blogspot.com/2007/06/woppit.html</nowiki>
</ref> In 1956, ] manufactured a 9-inch tall Woppit bear wearing a red felt jacket<ref name="Hub" >{{cite book
|title=Collecting character bears
}} <nowiki>http://hubpages.com/hub/Collectable-Teddy-Bears</nowiki>
</ref> and one of these was given to the (adult) Donald by his close friend Peter Barker.<ref name="Tremayne, Behind The Mask" >{{cite book
|title=Donald Campbell: The Man Behind the Mask |title=Donald Campbell: The Man Behind the Mask
|last=Tremayne |first=David |authorlink=David Tremayne |last=Tremayne |first=David |authorlink=David Tremayne
Line 38: Line 54:
|publisher=Bantam Books |publisher=Bantam Books
|year=2005 |year=2005
}}</ref> On joining the Bluebird team, Woppit acquired a miniature of their "Bluebird" patch sewn to his jacket, later followed by a one-piece flight suit. His name also changed slightly to 'Mr Whoppit'.<ref name="Christies 2003" /> In 1959, both Campbell and Mr Whoppit were photographed together in Robin. }}</ref>{{quote|I used to be on the edge of the toy trade when I was at Hulton's because we used to do what was called licensed merchandise for children's comics. Whoppit was a sample from a firm called Merrythought. I had it for a long time on my desk and in 1956, I think, I said, "Don, you ought to have a mascot. I think this one is very appropriate." And he said, "Oh, fine, fine." After that, Whoppit was always there.}}On joining the Bluebird team, Woppit acquired a miniature of their "Bluebird" patch sewn to his jacket, later followed by a one-piece flight suit. His name also changed slightly to 'Mr Whoppit'.<ref name="Christies 2003" /> In 1959, both Campbell and Mr Whoppit were photographed together in Robin.


In the late 1990s, Merrythought re-issued a limited production of 5,000 replicas of Mr Whoppit, with the original red jacket now sporting the Bluebird motif. In the late 1990s, Merrythought re-issued a limited production of 5,000 replicas of Mr Whoppit, with the original red jacket now sporting the Bluebird motif.<ref>"Bears with Rich History" Middlesbrough Evening Gazette, 18 April 2012, p.18</ref>


==With Gina Campbell== ==With Gina Campbell==
]
In later years, Donald's daughter ] also adopted Whoppit as a mascot for her own water record-breaking attempts.<ref name="Christies 2003" >{{cite book In later years, Donald's daughter Gina Campbell also adopted Whoppit as a mascot for her own water record-breaking attempts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ginacampbellqso.com/gina-campbell-qso/womens-water-speed-record/|website=Gina Campbell|title=Gina Campbell water speed biography}}</ref><ref name="Christies 2003" >{{cite book
|title=Christie's Century of Teddy Bears |title=Christie's Century of Teddy Bears
|author=Leyla Maniera |author=Leyla Maniera
Line 49: Line 66:
|year=2003 |year=2003
|isbn=1-86205-595-5 |isbn=1-86205-595-5
}}</ref> These led to Whoppit's third high-speed crash.{{fact|date=September 2019}} In 1995 she offered him for auction, together with other Campbell memorabilia. He was to sell for about £60,000 but failed to reach the reserve price of $76,720 to $92,060, and remains in her possession today.<ref>{{cite news |title=No Quick Sale For Mr. Whoppit |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A163180741/AONE?u=albu78484&sid=ebsco&xid=8b48b0e6 |access-date=18 November 2024 |agency=Globe & Mail |date=12 December 1996}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/bear-retires-from-life-in-the-fast-lane-1579116.html |title=Bear retires from life in the fast lane |date=24 October 1995 |journal=The Independent}}</ref><ref>{{citation |journal=The Straits Times |date=13 December 1995 |page=37 |title=Bare Auction |quote=The world's fastest teddy bear "Mr Whoppit", once owned by speed ace Donald Campbell, failed to reach its reserve price ...}}</ref><ref>{{citation |title=Collecting Teddy Bears |page=84 |isbn=0765196220 |author=Sally Taylor |year=1996 |publisher=Smithmark Publishers, Incorporated |quote=Mr Whoppit was all that survived the horrendous crash ... finally coming up for sale at Christies Christmas teddy bear auction in 1995.}}</ref> The decision to auction off Mr Whoppit was a cause of acrimony between Gina Campbell and Donald's widow Tonia Bern-Campbell, which re-surfaced again during the recovery of Bluebird in 2001.<ref name="Telegraph" >{{cite journal
}}</ref> These led to Whoppit's third high-speed crash.

In 1995 she offered him for auction, together with other Campbell memorabilia, although he failed to reach the reserve and remains in her possession.<ref name="Fiat fred" >{{cite web
|title=Fred the bear's hero, Mr Woppit
|url=http://www.fiatforum.com/panda-classic/110707-fred-fiat-bears-hero.html
}}</ref> The decision to auction off Mr Whoppit was a cause of acrimony between Gina Campbell and Donald's widow Tonia Bern-Campbell, which re-surfaced again during the recovery of Bluebird in 2001. <ref name="Telegraph" >{{cite journal
|journal=] |journal=]
|title=Campbells feud over Bluebird wreck |title=Campbells feud over Bluebird wreck
|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1320944/Campbells-feud-over-Bluebird-wreck.html |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1320944/Campbells-feud-over-Bluebird-wreck.html
|author=Daniel Foggo |author=Daniel Foggo
|date=19 June 2001 |date=19 June 2001
}}</ref> In 2001, Whoppit and Gina Campbell returned to ] together for Donald's funeral.<ref name="Gina 2001" >{{cite web
|title=Gina Campbell bringing Mr Whoppit to attend Donald's funeral service in Coniston, 2001
|url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidambridge/2562947374/
|format=Photo
|date=12 September 2001
}}</ref> }}</ref>
Gina describes Mr. Whoppit as “a very special little bear” and today keeps him safe under lock and key, only being taken out on special occasions and never leaving her side. Mr. Whoppit also now wears a medallion gifted to Donald Campbell by Malcolm Campbell. Reproduction collectibles of Mr. Whoppit went on sale in January of 2024 at the Ruskin museum.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Campbell |first1=Gina |title=New for 2024. Mr Whoppit is back. |url=https://ginacampbell.co.uk/news-and-articles/new-for-2024.-hes-back!.html |website=Gina Campbell |access-date=18 November 2024}}</ref>


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist|2}}


{{Teddy bears}} {{Teddy bears}}
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] ]
] ]
]
]
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Latest revision as of 18:39, 9 December 2024

Donald Campbell's Teddy Bear

Mr Whoppit
Mr Whoppit in the cockpit with Campbell at Lake Eyre in 1964
TeamBP
DescriptionTeddy bear

Mr Whoppit was the teddy bear mascot of Donald Campbell, the land and water speed record holder. Writing in his 2011 book, Donald Campbell: The Man Behind The Mask, journalist David Tremayne described Whoppit as Campbell's "magic talisman".

As was his father Sir Malcolm Campbell, Donald Campbell was highly superstitious. Both consulted spiritualist mediums and fortune tellers, Donald also placed his faith in a lucky mascot, Mr Whoppit. He refused to drive unless Whoppit was with him. One of his wife Tonia's tasks was to hand Whoppit to him on entering the cockpit. Whoppit was noted in 2003 by reporter Frank Bennett as being part of the "threesome" arriving for the 1964 record run – the others being Campbell himself, and his wife. Bennett remarked that the mascot was in the cockpit each time, along with other memorabilia.

Whoppit was with Campbell during his serious crash during a land-speed record attempt at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1960, driving the Proteus Bluebird. After the crash, Mr.Whoppit was given to Campbell in the hospital. "Great comfort, old Whoppit" he said before falling asleep.

Campbell died as a result of a crash while driving his jet hydroplane Bluebird K7 in a record attempt on Coniston in 1967. His body was not recovered, although Mr Whoppit floated free and was found almost immediately by Leo Villa. Campbell's body was finally located and recovered in 2001.

Campbell also named one of his dogs 'Whoppit'. Another teddy bear mascot was found as a 'wife' for Whoppit, named 'Mrs Whacko', who did not ride with Whoppit but stayed with Tonia and the pit crew.

Mr Whoppit's origins

'Woppit' first appeared as a cartoon strip 'The story of Woppit' about a toy teddy bear, from the first issue of the comic Robin in 1953. In 1956, Merrythought manufactured a 9-inch tall Woppit bear wearing a red felt jacket and one of these was given to Donald by his close friend and manager Peter Barker.

I used to be on the edge of the toy trade when I was at Hulton's because we used to do what was called licensed merchandise for children's comics. Whoppit was a sample from a firm called Merrythought. I had it for a long time on my desk and in 1956, I think, I said, "Don, you ought to have a mascot. I think this one is very appropriate." And he said, "Oh, fine, fine." After that, Whoppit was always there.

On joining the Bluebird team, Woppit acquired a miniature of their "Bluebird" patch sewn to his jacket, later followed by a one-piece flight suit. His name also changed slightly to 'Mr Whoppit'. In 1959, both Campbell and Mr Whoppit were photographed together in Robin.

In the late 1990s, Merrythought re-issued a limited production of 5,000 replicas of Mr Whoppit, with the original red jacket now sporting the Bluebird motif.

With Gina Campbell

Mr. Whoppit in 2024 wearing the medallion gifted to Donald Campbell by his father.
Mr. Whoppit in 2024 wearing the medallion gifted to Donald Campbell by his father.

In later years, Donald's daughter Gina Campbell also adopted Whoppit as a mascot for her own water record-breaking attempts. These led to Whoppit's third high-speed crash. In 1995 she offered him for auction, together with other Campbell memorabilia. He was to sell for about £60,000 but failed to reach the reserve price of $76,720 to $92,060, and remains in her possession today. The decision to auction off Mr Whoppit was a cause of acrimony between Gina Campbell and Donald's widow Tonia Bern-Campbell, which re-surfaced again during the recovery of Bluebird in 2001. Gina describes Mr. Whoppit as “a very special little bear” and today keeps him safe under lock and key, only being taken out on special occasions and never leaving her side. Mr. Whoppit also now wears a medallion gifted to Donald Campbell by Malcolm Campbell. Reproduction collectibles of Mr. Whoppit went on sale in January of 2024 at the Ruskin museum.

References

  1. David Tremayne (30 September 2011). Donald Campbell: The Man Behind The Mask. Transworld. p. 227. ISBN 978-1-4464-3849-7.
  2. ^ Knowles, Arthur (2001). The Bluebird Years. Sigma Leisure. p. 103. ISBN 978-1-85058-766-8.
  3. Knowles & The Bluebird Years, p. 136
  4. ^ Tonia Bern-Campbell (2002). My Speed King. Sutton Publishing. ISBN 0-7509-2931-6.
  5. Pearson, John (2002). Bluebird and the Dead Lake. Aurum Press. p. 47. ISBN 978-1-78131-172-1.
  6. ^ Holter, Steve (2002). Leap Into Legend. Sigma Press. p. 111. ISBN 1-85058-794-9.
  7. Negus, George (12 May 2003). "Donald Campbell's 'Bluebird'". ABC Online. Archived from the original on 6 June 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  8. "Teddy bear found after Campbell's fatal crash\Mascot helped speed king overcome fears". Daily Telegraph. 3 January 1996.
  9. Holter 2002, pp. 145, 155
  10. Peter Bull (1969), The Teddy Bear Book, p. 102, ISBN 0394730801, Another bear to be proud of is Mr. Woppit, who belonged to the late Donald Campbell, C.B.E. ... He is named after a character which appeared in the first number of a popular children's comic called "Robin".
  11. Maniera, Leyla (2003). Christie's Century of Teddy Bears. Pavilion. p. 1962. ISBN 978-1862055957.
  12. Tremayne, David (2005). Donald Campbell: The Man Behind the Mask. Bantam Books. ISBN 0-553-81511-3.
  13. ^ Leyla Maniera (2003). Christie's Century of Teddy Bears. Pavilion. ISBN 1-86205-595-5.
  14. "Bears with Rich History" Middlesbrough Evening Gazette, 18 April 2012, p.18
  15. "Gina Campbell water speed biography". Gina Campbell.
  16. "No Quick Sale For Mr. Whoppit". Globe & Mail. 12 December 1996. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  17. "Bear retires from life in the fast lane", The Independent, 24 October 1995
  18. "Bare Auction", The Straits Times: 37, 13 December 1995, The world's fastest teddy bear "Mr Whoppit", once owned by speed ace Donald Campbell, failed to reach its reserve price ...
  19. Sally Taylor (1996), Collecting Teddy Bears, Smithmark Publishers, Incorporated, p. 84, ISBN 0765196220, Mr Whoppit was all that survived the horrendous crash ... finally coming up for sale at Christies Christmas teddy bear auction in 1995.
  20. Daniel Foggo (19 June 2001). "Campbells feud over Bluebird wreck". Daily Telegraph.
  21. Campbell, Gina. "New for 2024. Mr Whoppit is back". Gina Campbell. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
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