Ty Beanie Baby 'Maple the Bear' collectible plush toy

Maple the Bear was released by Ty Inc. in 1996 as part of their wildly popular Beanie Babies collection. This particular example appears to be a McDonald's promotional version from their international collection, featuring the Canadian flag emblem on its chest, representing Canada. The packaging includes the Ty heart-shaped tag and appears to be in its original packaging. Beanie Babies created a collecting frenzy in the late 1990s, with rare versions and those with tag errors becoming particularly sought after by collectors. Maple the Bear is especially valued by Beanie Baby enthusiasts and collectors of Canadian memorabilia for its national symbolism and connection to the McDonald's promotional series. Some versions with specific errors in manufacturing or packaging can command premium prices among serious collectors.