Meanies Bear Tender Prototype Never Released Meanie Beanie Babies One of a Kind

Description

**UPDATE** I had a really cool Meanies fan reach out to me recently to provide the following detailed info and I thought it would be interesting to a potential buyer;
"Yea I will confirm that its a real Meanie. I had the last 2 production photos way back when of the last 2 that were in production. This was part of the Meanies At Work Series, the other was Political 3. I recall that 4 of the at work were Bear Tender (bar or beer bear), Computer Geeko (lizard), Plumber Bear (bear or pig), and Snail Man (snail mailman). While the political were Hillary Rodent Clinton, Jesse Jackass (Jackson as a donkey). They had the prototypes of at work made, while the political were still just in the drawing phase. Never did find out what happed to the Idea Factory....Ive seen a few prototypes like the Alien Iversons and Hex Voodoo Poodles change hands a few times on ebay. I still have my full set including the rare ones issued at basketball games."
--beaniematt--
This auction is for the Prototype Meanies - Bear Tender
Hello and thank you for checking out my auction.
The short story on how I acquired this little guy is that I was a Meanies fanatic back in 1997 and I had to have all things Meanies.  I was on all the yahoo forums, I was able to go to Madison Scare Garden to pick up several Black Patch Pirate Jacks and picked up every version of each meanie.  But I didn't stop at just picking up the Meanies.  I wanted all the promotional items, signs and anything that was tied into Meanies.  Not too long ago I sold almost all of my collection but I do have some items remaining, which I will also be posting on eBay.
Which brings me to this particular Meanie.  I was able to make a connection with a really nice gentleman who worked at the Idea Factory.  We exchanged a few emails talking about the line and the future of it.  Anywho...when the Idea Factory and the Meanies line was coming to a close, the man offered to send me quite a nice package of Meanies promo items and rarities.  This Meanie was part of that package. He told me it was slated to be called "Bear Tender" or "Bart the Bartender"  This is a prototype that was never released.  It is one-of-a-kind.
Ok, so to most of the people who will be looking at this auction, I understand that my asking price is steep relative to what other Meanies are valued at currently and have been for some time.
I feel that given that this item is as rare as an item can get and it is quite clear its from the Idea Factory Meanies line, that there will be a collector out there who would value this as I do.
Feel free to ask any questions!
Thank you