Steiff teddy bear5/26/2023 ![]() The emotional aspect of one’s early toy or a parent’s or grandparent’s toy is why there are so many early 20th Century Steiff bears still in the market and many are still in private collections. Many stuffed toy teddy bears are desirable in “loved” and unrestored condition to recall the joy of childhood play. Collectors are enjoying their Steiff stuffed teddy bears as they are and not investing in costly conservation or restoration services for such bears. There are many changes in the Steiff market currently so collectors need to be aware of the Steiff fakes and those people who are marketing them. Unbelievable! And, even the more common Steiff bears have regularly commanded several hundreds to several thousands of dollars on the resale market. A rare circa 1920s teddy bear called the Steiff harlequin bear sold for nearly $75,000 some time ago. Some big bucks have been spent for Steiff teddy bears like the 1903 Steiff teddy bear that sold for $17,250 and the blue glass-eyed bear that sold for $16,590. Details on Steiff teddy bears–like the nose, mouth, and other small elements–are hand stitched with thread with care. When it comes to teddy bears, look for these tell tale signs of quality: swiveling head, plush and felt paws, eyes made of glass, joined legs and arms. I have saved many people from making the big mistake of tossing an old teddy bear because the thought all Steiffs had to have a button to be authentic. Remember that you could certainly have a valuable Steiff toy that does not have the Steiff button. Remember, the button is not the only clue to authenticating a Steiff toy or teddy bear. More recently, most buttons were marked “Steiff” and accompanied by a yellow ribbon. Early on, the button had an image of an elephant on them. ![]() Note: the button was not used during World War II when metal was in short supply. The well-known metal button has been found in the ear of most Steiff toys since 1904. First produced to be used in pin cushions, Steiff stuffed animals were popular worldwide yet their teddy bears were among the most popular of their toy line. The German company used mohair, alpaca, felt, and woven plush to make their famous toys. Plush toys, stuffed animals, and teddy bears were the company’s best sellers and quickly became a household name. ![]() Margarete Steiff established the toy company that bears (pardon the pun!) her name in 1880. Some toy teddy bears command $10,000 to $100,000 from collectors. ![]()
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