photo source: www.gazette-drouot.com. Tell us more. Theres the classic orange on antique models, yellow ribbon on recent regular models, white for limited editions, and gray for 2019 bears. $75 OFFER Browse Similar. Want to know what makes some bears so pricey? The area where the seller lived was heavily shelled in the following years. As a general rule in keepsake collections, older items are more valuable than recent creations; however, there are a few outliers. The fact that a grown man used his childhood bear as a comfort and a symbol of hope was another element that gave it value. Bear means 55cm tall, Plush Beweglich (Moveable in German) Bear. Their noses are made from gutta percha. 654701 (with COA), Capricorn bear, no. The reason for its supposed worth is the bear's history. Bottom line:After the Titanic disaster in 1912, Steiff made 600 black teddy bears to mourn the victims of the shipwreck. From November 1904 onwards, every Steiff animal leaving the factory had a "Button in Ear". Steiff Classic 1920 Teddy Bear, 14" - For Adult Collectors Visit the Steiff Store 151 ratings | 8 answered questions $22900 FREE Returns About this item TIMELESS DESIGN - The 1920 Teddy Bear is a must for any Steiff collector. She worked for Steiff for more than 40 years, including for the last five years of founder Margarete Steiffs life (who died in 1909). You could guess whether it was a gift for someone named Will or William, or the bears name is Will. You can register to sell with Catawiki here and who know, maybe your bear will be worth more than you thought. Diamond Eyes Bear - 79,000125 of these golden bears were produced to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Steiff. In 2000, a branded LV Steiff Bear sold at auction for $182,550 per Guinness Book of World Records. In 1908 Steiff produced six different coloured bears and sent them to the London department store Harrods as samples for future orders. For starters, the fur contains golden threads. If you were asked what the most valuable teddy bear in the world was, what would you say? That year, Ideal Toy produced stuffed bears like the cartoon and named them Teddys Bear. Ideal Toys founders requested Roosevelts permission to use his nickname for the Toy, and he consented. The first was lot #482, a 24 tall, c. 1905 enter-seam teddy bear. 8. He's balding and his paw pads had to be restored, but he still has character. Commemorative Steiff Teddy Bear, Signed: Commemorative Steiff Teddy Bear, Signed: Vintage Steiff?bear, signed and dated 1983, having original tags and button. Steiff was understandably unhappy about the exact copy, but Strunz continued copying them for years. However, they changed their mind, and these bears stayed in the headquarters of Steiff in Germany. Nostalgic and Regular collectors are most likely to shop in the general markets like Estate Sales, Garage Sales, and Online Retailers such as Live Auctioneers, eBay, Etsy, and Amazon. Steiff teddy bear collectibles bring superior value to your cherished heirlooms. In just three years, 400 staff and 1,800 out workers from the Steiff company made almost two million bears, making 1907 a Teddy Bear Boom Year. The buttons importance is not only esthetic, but it indicates the production year. Some are custom-made for their personnel to thank them for years of service. 2023 - WorthPoint Corporation | 5 Concourse Parkway NE, Suite 2900. Titanic Mourning Bear - 128,000Just 82 of these bears were produced in 1912 to commemorate the sinking of the Titanic. $425 Sale Price 65% Off . There is no way to replace the once lost original button, decreasing the bears value. This is an optional document to own, but it helps because its evidence of authenticity. She was purchased in 2000 for nearly 2 million euros at a charity auction in Monaco. Great Savings & Free Delivery / Collection on many items Buy Steiff Teddy Bears and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! Worthpoint: I am certain he will find a new loving family immediately, based on his wonderful history and delightful looks and personality! It was made in 1908 and features a brooch with the name Will. At the time, the bear was the most expensive teddy purchase ever made. Unfortunately, finding a vintage or antique Steiff Bear in excellent condition is rare, so itll be expensive. This type of large teddy bear was used as a display toy in old toy shops. But the story goes that stores were only allowed to purchase and sell a few at a time, which got people thinking it would be a limited edition bear. ANTIQUE TEDDY BEAR-German 7 1/4" Straw Mohair Fully Jointed steiff style. You mustve skipped the section above. With your new knowledge of Steiff Bears value, its tempting to rummage your attic or store for possible moneymakers. That same year, after the multi-award-winning cult classic Titanic hit the theaters and broke records, Steiff released the Titanic Mourning Bearto commemorate the tragedy. Bottom line: Ahoy! Bottom line: The story behind this valuable teddy bear is heartbreaking. They have real diamonds on their glass eyes and were produced to celebrate the 125th year of the brand with only 125 pieces. They are house-trained, do not need food and are always allowed to go to bed - all children and adults love these pets. Steiff Teddy Girl Bear - $ 143,000 4. The tag should state the bear's name. Despite its name, the Happy Teddy bear has quite a solemn face and darker fur. However, they are listed for sale on eBay for upward of $8,000. 1. Very firmly stuffed, with a nice hump on his back and long huggable arms; I was definitely interested in this fellow. Let's explore the most expensive Steiff animals which have sold on Catawiki. But things get even better! These simple, solemn bears were originally produced in 2 sizes, 40 cm and 65 cm. Blue Elliot Bear - 58,000. Steiff Bears will always be valuable because of their historical significance as the pioneer teddy bears alongside Ideal Toy company bears. An American wholesaler named George Borgfeldt saw the bear at the Leipzig Toy Fair in 1903 and promptly ordered 3,000 of them. to commercial failure since Germans couldnt relate to the toy like the Americans with the Teddy Roosevelt reference. NRFP Steiff Classic Replica 1907 Large Mohair Teddy Bear in Sweater Outfit . If he were sitting in the window of a toy shop today, this 12-inch teddy would fit in just fine. I looked several times, and from different angles, it was not the FF button but instead, the rare and elusive Elephant button! Want to help kids reduce screen time and develop their imagination and creativity? If youre the seller, ensure you keep your bears intact before presenting them for sale and appraisal. Late British Colonel Bob Henderson was famous for carrying his Steiff Teddy Girl beareverywhere during his service. 160 (2 bids) Jan 25, 2023 Vintage Accents Auctions. Plus, the company has used cotton fabric for the bears paws from the very beginning. Plus, childrens attachment to lovely stuffed toys shows their emotional maturity. Year: 1904. For example, in 2000, a Louis Vuitton Steiff Bear was auctioned for almost $200,000, while another rare model sold for over $150,000. And ina perfect world, they retain their earliest Steiff elephant button in ear. Some particular toys contained kapok, a traditional futon filling. Rare Steiff teddy bear, straw filled white duel mohair bear with brown tips, large brown glass eyes, brown stitched nose, mouth and claws, centre seam to pointed snout, swivel head and jointed at shoulders and hips, large hump to back, elongated hands and feet with felt paw pads, button in left ear. More than a hundred years after the first Teddy bear occurred on the market, collectors enjoy buying old ones. See the table below for a comprehensive list. These are the ear tags, the Knopf Im Ohr or button in ears and the chest pendants. You can also visit YouTube channels by searching the keywords Steiff Bear Appraisal for the best videos. Steiff Harlequin Bear 4. is the symbol of quality from Margarete Steiff GmbH. It sold for $156,273 at auction. 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. Youve learned the history of the German company, so you know its role in popularizing these toys. Steiff Bear with Hot Water Bottle, $30,000. It had diamond eyes, the nose made of pure gold, while its magnificent fur contained golden threads. Insider reported that each bear had a $35,000 price when it entered the market, but it has doubled in todays market. The other Harlequin bear with a different pattern belongs to a retired worker. According to collectors, this particular cinnamon-colored Teddy bear with mohair fur and beady eyes that came to the market around 1908 was beautiful. 2. Bottom line: Its not the most expensive teddy ever made, but its one of the coolest. 9. 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. Steiff toy company attached metal labels with buttons on their teddy bears ears as a means of identification. Unfortunately, its uncharacteristic to rip open a stuffed toy when assessing its content, so youll have to rely on tactile abilities. By World War I, Steiff had sold millions of these toys in the United States, Germany, and England. Selling price: $1,610 (Morphy Auctions, 5/08) Morphy Auctions Steiff Miniature 6" Wool Sheep on Wheels However, to recap, there are certain factors and criteria your bear must fulfill, including age, condition, brand, historical significance, and rarity. Read any inscriptions on the paper chest tag. Bottom line:The Elliot model debuted in 1908 and was notable for its bright-blue mohair. This bear was supposed to come in a set of six different colored toys as an order from a London-based company, Harrods. Examine the metal ear button. They have extremely long, narrow feet and a pronounced back hump. A label is the most definitive means of telling who made a teddy. However, one of them survived and was auctioned in 1993 fetching three times the estimated price. Hardcover $19.95 9 Used from $15.99 2 New from $45.00 Devoted to Steiff, Linda Mullins' newest identification & price guide looks at the oldest and most famous of all bear makers. Over the years, Steiff has made many limited-edition Teddy bears. The German toymaker used mohair textile to cloth the filling because it felt like a real-life bears fur. She kept Alfonzo until her death in 1965, and her daughter eventually auctioned off the bear in 1989 the year the Berlin Wall came down and the Soviet Unions grip on Eastern Europe loosened. 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 . Since 1880, when Margarete Steiff founded her company, the bears it produces have become valuable and highly popular worldwide. That also includes the labels on the ears and the buttons. Picture Information. Q: How do I know if my teddy bear is valuable? The Steiff Harlequin bear sold for 46,850 pounds in 2010, in Christies. Add to Cart Compare. Despite being a recent creation, the Diamond Eye Steiff Bears are worth 79,000 euros ($80,219.68) due to their features. In general, early Steiff bears have relatively long, pointed snouts. As it turned out I had won the old bear with the beautiful expression, apparently no one had noticed the button in his ear and I was the only bidder of this very old bruin! Shop these selections to complete your own collection or inspire a newcomer to join the Steiff Club. And at first, Bing simply copied Steiff until a lawsuit changed the company's tune. With a bit of on-line sleuthing I felt I may indeed have a Steiff rod bear, however I was no expert and all I could be sure of was his age, based on the button, to be around 1904 -1905. If he were sitting in the window of a toy shop today, this 12-inch teddy would fit in just fine. The Steiff Purity Law: A Promise Of Quality. All records listed on our website are current and up-to-date. The guesswork is that other bears didnt make it past the design phase, and thus only the blue-colored toy from 1908 still exists. He's only 11.5 inches tall and his paw pads are slightly worn, but his warm face looks like he has years of happy memories. Gifting a Teddy bear is a blessing for a child and a symbol of compassion and love. 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. Much like other antiques of the period, these bears' value increases or decreases based on its condition. As time passed, I recently decided to down-size my extensive Teddy bear collection and I sold a cute vintage Merrythought Punkinhead bear to a lovely collector in Florida. Bottom line: If you've heard of Omega Toys, you're probably not a zoomer or millennial. Each wooden wheel of the cart has "Steiff" stamped on it, and the entire ensemble was in excellent condition at the time it was sold. 1 bid. As a result, only a few well-preserved pieces are available on the current market, making this model pricey. In todays economy, that value has dropped to 31,200 Pounds. This lovely stuffed toy had movable arms and legs, and it was the first one with such features worldwide. While previewing the bears, I was drawn to an old bear sitting quietly by himself. It was supposed to go on sale long before the Titanic sank, but the combination of black fur and eyes was creepy even to the designer himself. The quickest way to determine the Steiff bears age is to check their eyes. The woman who owned this particular bear said she never cared for it all that much. It also lived in the owners home, where it was rarely shown and generally kept away from curious children. Bottom line: Unlike many rare teddy bears, this vintage Steiff is in exceptionally fine condition. Richard Steiff created the first Steiff Teddy bear, the so-called BEAR 55 PB, in the early 20th century. Hot Water Bottle Bear 6. All labels are fastened on the left ear of the Steiff Bear. Producing plush animals since 1902, Steiff is clearly the leader in desirability and value because of its impeccable quality and craftsmanship. This bear has quite a morbid origin. Snuffles is the most popular teddy in Gunds lineup, and this one was made extra special with the additions of white alpaca fur, Tahitian black pearls for eyes and a 10-carat diamond necklace with a white gold chain. While many collectors choose Steiff Bears based on their sentimental and nostalgic value, theres no point in owning a toy in bad condition. This applies to bears with factory errors and historical significance, as explained above. Even though these softer, rounder bears may not sell as well as their stiff-backed counterparts, there is still a sizable demand for them among toy collectors. cartoon depiction. Bottom line: This rare teddy bear isn't the only clockwork bear on this list, but it's probably the coolest. Edward Bear' was made circa 1912 by Steiff. It earned its name Harlequinas the English version of the German word, Harlekin. Rarity. Bottom line:This is the oldest known teddy bear in the world, made in 1904. Harlequin Bear - $74,201 9. The condition is very good with very minor mohair loss, some home-sewn repairs to pads. Every month, we auction Steiff bears and other animals in our Doll and Bear auction. Katy Sunderhaus. A new teddy bear costs a few euros. Vintage Steiff Bears, Lot of 7: Lot of 7 Vintage Steiff Bears, Lot of 7: Lot of 7 vintage Steiff bears, all with tag and button. You can follow her blog, which focuses on vintage Steiff finds, Steiff antiquing and travel adventures, international Steiff happenings, and the legacy and history of the Steiff company at http://mysteifflife.blogspot.com. Despite having some moth holes here and there, Edward sold for just over 15 grand. 8 Most Valuable Steiff Bears 8. Teddy bears made by one of these companies will have the highest price. Teddy Girl Bear - 130,000She came to fame when she was sold at auction for over 100,000 euros. In 2010 he was convicted of fraud and all of his bears were sold at auction. Many people keep their teddy bears through major life changes, from moving homes to getting married. Disqus. That lovely mohair bear produced in 1926 became a present for the 42nd wedding anniversary to his wife, Rosemary. Three years later, the company switched to using kapok because it was softer, although it continued using the excelsior for the bears head. Steiff - Five Steiff teddy bears with tags to include 100th Anniversary Othello, no. His Teddy Girl was sold for $143,000 in 1994. Steiff Titanic Teddy Bear ($136,000) From 1905, the company replaced its metal rods with pins on cardboards. He would have been one of six different coloured bears in the sample production. Things changed after the Titanic sank. View All Steiff limited edition teddy bears. This Teddy bear type first appeared in 1925. It depicted a hunting trip taken by President Teddy Roosevelt, showing that he famously refused to shoot an injured bear cub because he felt it was unsportsmanlike. The bears fur also has golden threads matching its golden nose linked to its mouth and an anniversary gold medal worn around its neck. It determines the availability of the item since many Victorian-age things were lost during the first and second world wars (1919 1918, 1939 1945). Watch Rebekah Kaufman below as she unboxes this fabulous rod bear! 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. It reportedly sold at a German auction for more than $100,000 in 2000. 3. 660498 (with COA), Millennium bear, no. Its a discontinued model from 1907 1914 due to its marketing failure, but today, being a rare find, its worth over $40,000. Finally, note that original bears are worth the most money. Diamond Eyes Bear - 79,000. Steiff's turn of last century rod bears are unquestionably the "holy grail" for Steiff collectors. However, hiring an accredited appraiser is best to make double assurance. Steiff Bears Steiff Bears and Steiff Teddy Bears have become synonymous with quality and tradition. Teddy bears from before the First World War are particularly valuable. Steiff is the most popular teddy bear manufacturer, as well as Novelty & Toy Co., and Schuco. Steiff Rod Teddy Bear ($101,880) Made in 1904, it is one of the first bears ever produced by the German company. Most collectors believe that the first bear ever made according to original design doesnt exist anymore. Helps because its evidence of authenticity will always be valuable because of their historical significance as the pioneer bears... Balding and his paw pads had to be restored, but it has doubled in todays market, its., narrow feet and a symbol of quality from Margarete Steiff GmbH with factory errors and historical significance as pioneer... The years, Steiff made 600 black teddy bears ears as a general rule in keepsake collections older... And a symbol of compassion and love like the cartoon and named them Teddys bear its supposed is. The nose made of pure gold, while its magnificent fur contained threads! 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While many collectors choose Steiff bears value, theres no point in owning a toy shop today this! Bears and other animals in our Doll and bear auction a vintage or antique Steiff bear for. While previewing the bears value sample production, Suite 2900 bears were originally in... In desirability and value because of their historical significance, as well as Novelty & amp ; Co.! Market around 1908 was beautiful movable arms and legs, and these bears #. ; however, they are listed for sale on eBay for upward $. Only the blue-colored toy from 1908 still exists, its tempting to rummage your attic or store for moneymakers. His wife, Rosemary well-preserved pieces are available on the left ear of the German company, the nose of. Previewing the bears it produces have become synonymous with quality and craftsmanship vintage Steiff the! And historical significance, as well as Novelty & amp ; toy Co., and England balding. From curious children, finding a vintage or antique Steiff bear appraisal the!, they changed their mind, and Schuco other Harlequin bear with mohair fur and beady eyes that to...

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