The Spotted Elephant is a lovable toy pachyderm who originated as a character in the 1964 Rankin/Bass television special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Appearances in Christmas specials
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
The Spotted Elephant is introduced as a resident of the Island of Misfit Toys, a place where all of the unwanted toys go. After Rudolph, Hermey, and Yukon Cornelius arrive on the island, the Spotted Elephant is later seen as the toy footman who brings the trio to their cabin after their meeting with King Moonracer at his castle. In the special's extended ending, after Santa Claus shows up at the island and picks up the Misfit Toys, the Spotted Elephant is the second toy that Santa drops from his sleigh as a gift to children on Christmas Eve.
Other Christmas productions
The Spotted Elephant makes a brief cameo in The Simpsons episode "'Tis the Fifteenth Season". In one scene, Homer Simpson is shown watching a fictional stop-motion television special titled The Year Santa Got Lost, in which the Spotted Elephant and a few other Misfit Toys are shown listening to a story told by a mailman voiced by Jimmy Stewart.
Merchandise
In 1998, CVS Pharmacy introduced the popular Beanie stuffed Toys created by Stuffins selling for $5.99. Today, the 6" Spotted Elephant sells for an average of $50 on eBay, while the 12" version sells for as much as $170.
There are many theories as to why the Spotted Elephant is the most popular of all the Misfit Toys, and why it is so highly sought after by collectors. Some say that the Spotted Elephant is the most easily recognizable by small children who watch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer for the very first time, and end up asking for the "white elephant with polka dots" for their 2nd or 3rd Christmas. Whatever the reason may be, the value of the Spotted Elephant continues to increase over time.