photo source: www.gazette-drouot.com. Where did Antique and Vintage Teddy Bears Originate From? Do Steiff bears increase value? Bottom line:The Harlequin model is one of the prettier Steiff bears with its two-tone coloring. A: In 1906, Britain company J. K. Farnell brought the stuffed Toy to England, while the French joined in 1919 via the Le Jouet Champenois company. Bottom line: This Bruin Steiff teddy bear is a few decades younger than most of the rare teddy bears here, and it shows. His companions caught one for him and tied it to a tree for him to kill, but he declined. Unfortunately Elliot never went on to full production, making any surviving examples extremely rare. The sellers great-grandfather originally owned the bear, although its unknown how or when it was first acquired. Theres the classic orange on antique models, yellow ribbon on recent regular models, white for limited editions, and gray for 2019 bears. She was given to Bob Henderson as a gift when he was born. You can use an x-ray scanner to detect the metallurgical skeleton in the bear, and if you see nothing, its probably a cardboard disc. She worked at Steiffs for more than forty years and got this toy in honor of her service and loyalty. 15-inch Peace Bear, 9-inch Peace, Ringo, and Bones. Starting in 1909, the year this bear was made, Bing used its own designs for bears. While many collectors choose Steiff Bears based on their sentimental and nostalgic value, theres no point in owning a toy in bad condition. Unfortunately, it didnt get a good reception from the Steiff companys regular customers, causing it to go off the shelves. While more and more toys sport "Made in China" labels, high-end stuffed animal maker Steiff is going against the flow. Do you happen to own any that could be sold for a pretty penny? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If youre the seller, ensure you keep your bears intact before presenting them for sale and appraisal. The Fur or Fabric Is a Clue to Age Steiff Titanic Teddy Bear ($136,000) Bottom line:After the Titanic disaster in 1912, Steiff made 600 black teddy bears to mourn the victims of the shipwreck. Estimated at USD10,000 - $15,000, it realized $25,000. Why such a high price tag? These are the ear tags, the Knopf Im Ohr or button in ears and the chest pendants. Urban tale suggests it got lost at sea, but expert appraisers theorize otherwise, saying they likely were unfitting for sale due to the rigorous travel. With your new knowledge of Steiff Bears value, its tempting to rummage your attic or store for possible moneymakers. Both retain . Picture 1 of 13. This biking bear was released to commemorate Harley Davidson's 100th anniversary, in a run of just 5000. There are so many factors that contribute to the ultimate price of a Steiff Bear. guarantees compliance with the European toy safety guidelines. There is no way to replace the once lost original button, decreasing the bears value. He was produced around 1908 and sold at auction, in surprisingly good condition, in 2004 where a handsome price was fetched for this handsome bear. Scroll up to read. It was sold in 2002 in Germany. Now you can pay her a visit at the teddy bear museum in JeJu, South Korea. It was owned by Pam Hebbs, who was considered to be one of the worlds greatest teddy bear collectors and evaluators. Ending Wednesday at 12 . . Which Steiff bears are valuable? Atlanta, On a side note, Kim Kardashian bought one of these teddies for her third child for $170,000. At the 2002 Steiff Festival in Giengen, Germany, one of these 1904 bears surfaced. Steiff 13" Beige Bear (Signed by Steiff Family Member) This bear has shoe button eyes, stitched nose, mouth, and claws, felt paw pads, no button in the ear. More than a hundred years after the first Teddy bear occurred on the market, collectors enjoy buying old ones. The Steiff Purity Law: A Promise Of Quality. Teddy bears came into existence in 1903 thanks to a political cartoon. However there are some extremely expensive bears out there. His velvety brown mohair is in perfect condition. Bottom line: This rare Steiff Record Teddy riding an antique metal framed cart was produced around 1915. Even relatively new Steiff bears tend to appreciate in value. ANTIQUE TEDDY BEAR-German 7 1/4" Straw Mohair Fully Jointed steiff style. Finally, note that original bears are worth the most money. Bottom line:Boasting one of the most extensive teddy bear collections in the world, Rosemary and Paul Volpp celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary in 1989 by buying one of the rarest and most expensive teddy bears: Happy Anniversary. Steiff, Germany, "Penny" The Federation Teddy Bear Made Exclusively for Australia, Limited Edition of 2000 by Theodore Bruce Est: AUD200 - AUD300 AUD120 2 Bids Mar 02, 9:00 AM EST R. JOHN WRIGHT WINNIE-THE-POOH AND PIGLET, LOT OF TWO by Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates Est: $50 - $100 $70 2 Bids Mar 02, 9:00 AM EST They have real diamonds on their glass eyes and were produced to celebrate the 125th year of the brand with only 125 pieces. Steiff teddy bear, cream mohair with brown stitched nose and mouth, light brown stitched claws, nickel-plated button, 20 in., $2,280. The earliest bear toys were stuffed with excelsior, fine curled wood shavings used primarily to pack fragile items. While the Louis Vuitton bear may be the ultimate collectable bear, many vintage Steiff bears and collectible bears are sought after for their rarity. Both fabrics have soft feels, but the former has longer hair. In December 2006, a rare example featuring its original water canister sold at Christie's in London for 31,200 (around AED 150,000). Paradoxically, that makes their price skyrocket. He would have been one of six different coloured bears in the sample production. This bear has quite a morbid origin. Gandtiques. Over the years, Steiff has made many limited-edition Teddy bears. Harlequin Bear - $74,201 9. It moved production to China four years ago, but . The buttons can be made of different metals, with the old early ones looking like pewter, earliest had elephants, then blank buttons and then ff buttons that look like the f's go back under the Steiff name, I think in about 1947 or so, there was one year only where they had . Three years later, the company switched to using kapok because it was softer, although it continued using the excelsior for the bears head. A rare early 20th Century Steiff teddy bear has been sold at auction for 3,200. At the time, the bear was the most expensive teddy purchase ever made. Check out the 10 most expensive Steiff bears in the world. Steiff Louis Vuitton Teddy Bear - $ 2.1 million 2. The iconic Polo Bear came to be after Ralph Lauren and his brother Jerry Lauren received Steiff teddy bears dressed as themselves as gifts from their employees in 1990. They have all the elements of a valuable antique or vintage item, from historical significance to longevity and rarity. In general, early Steiff bears have relatively long, pointed snouts. Q: How do I know if my teddy bear is valuable? comments powered by . Diamond Eyes Bear - 79,000. EAR TAGS. It was given to a boy named David Ellender, born in January 1939. The company began production immediately, and 655 Teddy bears were made in 1912. Luckily, an American company, George Borgfeldt Toy Co., sought to import the Steiff bears and commissioned 3000 teddies to be shipped to the US. Harlequin Bear - 71,000These blue and red split bears were originally produced in 1925. Nevertheless, it made the papers when Clifford Berryman, a political cartoonist, depicted the event in a quirky caricature. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your WorthPoint Account is Suspended: Please update your billing information in. The artisan also was required to constantly shape the cooling material into a nose shape, which explains why early and original gutta percha noses often are asymmetrical and have fingerprints and nicks on them. For instance, a bear type and the time when a particular toy circulated on the market could determine each pieces origin, production year, and value. A rare circa 1920s teddy bear called the Steiff harlequin bear sold for nearly $75,000 some time ago. Excelsior stuffing helped keep the Toys snout shapely regardless of the movement throughout playtime. Bottom line: This cuddly little bear debuted at the 2010 American International Toy Fair, where it was encased in thick glass and watched over by a security guard. She even had pictures from her childhood to prove its authenticity. The expensive teddy bear had the original Steiff button in his ear and a crisp sailor's collar adorned with a Theodore Roosevelt pin. They learn to love not only a beloved bear but also their surroundings. In fact, she never left Hendersons side until his death in 1990. They have felt paw pads and five claws embroidered on each paw. The Dicky teddy was beloved from its debut thanks in large part to its soft fur and the warm smile on its face. The first was lot #482, a 24 tall, c. 1905 enter-seam teddy bear. In 1994, Teddy Girl was sold as part of his Estate in an auction for $143,000+ per Reuters. 10. Blue Elliot Bear - 58,000. Other manufacturers quickly caught on, but none more so than the Steiff plush toys company from Germany, which quickly became a worldwide brand name due to the quality build of their teddy bears. Some are expensive and often reach tens of thousands of bucks at auctions, while rare and highly appreciated ones are worth a few hundred thousand dollars. Unfortunately, finding a vintage or antique Steiff Bear in excellent condition is rare, so itll be expensive. If he were sitting in the window of a toy shop today, this 12-inch teddy would fit in just fine. More like this. Gifting a Teddy bear is a blessing for a child and a symbol of compassion and love. Due to their age and well-kept appearance, the final bid would be $104,000. Trading antique and vintage items are different from regular modern products because of acquired tastes. This excerpt from the 2010 catalog stating the Steiff Purity Law will provide insight into Steiff's depth of commitment to the quality of their products. Bears have never been sold or seen since 1902, so they remain the most elusive model of Steiff Bears ever produced. For instance, you can notice that Steiff bears contain a typical blonde mohair stuffing made of precious Angora goats wool. Bottom line:This was an engagement present the year it was made in 1930 and remained in the couples family until it was auctioned in 2007. Top 10 Most Expensive Steiff Bears Louis Vuitton Bear - 1,978,000. 5. This model is so rare that he has only been seen in photos. Supreme Louis Vuitton Teddy Bear - $ 106,016 6. Steiff's turn of last century rod bears are unquestionably the "holy grail" for Steiff collectors. It was part of Paul Greenwoods stash after his fraud conviction. As soon as Steiff bears appeared on the market, they became a sensation. A teddy bear with limited edition, will . They were made with built-in sound boxes that growled when a red string is pulled, but most of them don't work anymore. Steiff bear values have remained steady throughout the years, and bears that are in good condition can sell for hundreds of dollars. Check the table abovefor more dates and models. If you dont feel any internal round structures where the arm and the body come together, this just may be an example of the companys earlier rod jointed Teds. Many collectors are unaware that more Mourning bears were produced in 1917 and 1918. Here at the World of Bears we like to think we give a service worthy of the Steiff Bear and the Steiff name. These bears were called Rod teddies because they had metal rods inserted in them so as to create joints. But it is the old treasures, especially the plush toys from the German manufacturer Steiff, that collectors are after. View All Steiff limited edition teddy bears. Many people keep their teddy bears through major life changes, from moving homes to getting married. The different types of ear tag distinguish one Steiff animal from another. Georgievna took the bear with her on a visit to Buckingham Palace in 1914, but she would never return home due to the onset of World War I and the Russian Revolution a few years later. Also, as a potential reseller, its best to buy a bear in at least good condition to last for decades while increasing in value. Teddy Girl Bear - 130,000She came to fame when she was sold at auction for over 100,000 euros. It was made in 1905 in Steiffs second year of making teddies, and it was the beloved bear of Bob Henderson. Steiff - Five Steiff teddy bears with tags to include 100th Anniversary Othello, no. Made of the finest brown mohair, this Teddy Bear is 5-way jointed and features an internal growler. Only 125 toys were manufactured in 2008, symbolizing the companys 125th anniversary. Already, you should know that Steiff Bears are valuable because theyre produced by one of the oldest teddy bear makers in the world. Largest measurement at 6 inches. Blue Elliot Bear - 58,000It is assumed that Elliot was produced as a sample for the British department store, Harolds. Steiffs rod bears are truly blue moon finds. bears were lost at sea, the 1904 28 PBsare the oldest models recorded in Steiffs history. The PB 28 series came out in 1904 and only a handful remain intact today. Bid on over 65,000 special objects every week, selected by 240+ experts, Why You Should Start Investing in Vintage Toys Today. 1. While not all teddy bears are as valuable as the ones on this list, the popular stuffed animal has certainly stood the test of time and continues to be passed down from generation to generation. To achieve such a price, Steiff spared no expense. This trademark stands for something special, something that is rare to find in today's fast-paced society: handwork and creativity with such strong roots that they paint a smile for the future around the world with unmistakable designs and innovative . This Louis Vuitton Bear won the Guinness Record for the most expensive Teddy bear ever. Collectors Bear 2023, the 'Jewel in the Crown' of the collectors' world Embracing tradition and timeless values, our British Collectors'. The Steiff "Button in Ear" tag. Please go to the Settings from the Mobile app for more details. There are many changes in the Steiff market currently so collectors need to be aware of the . Steiff Bears will always be valuable because of their historical significance as the pioneer teddy bears alongside Ideal Toy company bears. PB28 Rod Bear - 97,000This may be the oldest Steiff bear that has come onto the market. Bottom line: A rare Steiff teddy bear with blonde mohair and sweet, black button eyes, this original bear dates back to around 1908. Therefore, any product that survived that era automatically becomes coveted because it reminds nostalgic collectors of the past. 3. Plus, the company has used cotton fabric for the bears paws from the very beginning. German Steiff teddy bears are often sold at auctions, as these bears are among the most collected. is a perforated, single-layer fabric tape since . Was made, Bing used its own designs for bears in ears and the warm smile on its.!, the bear, although its unknown how or when it was in. 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