Worthpoint: Yes, that is amazing, and I am sure anyone reading your story can relate. I carefully put my treasure in a display case to love and admire. Bottom line: This blinged bear was never sold at auction (at least not yet), but it came with a hefty price tag upon its release in 2008 to commemorate 125 years of Steiff plush toys. It was made in 1905 in Steiffs second year of making teddies, and it was the beloved bear of Bob Henderson. 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. Where did Antique and Vintage Teddy Bears Originate From? He was fortunate to survive, and the worn bear was sold with David's original National Registration Identity Card. Already, you should know that Steiff Bears are valuable because theyre produced by one of the oldest teddy bear makers in the world. Teddy bears came into existence in 1903 thanks to a political cartoon. 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. Worthpoint: He is a once in a lifetime find for sure, and it sounds like he brought you great joy. Later versions had printed only the companys name, Steiff, but buttons stayed metal. Who doesnt like a two-in-one item? As its name suggests, this bear has an opening in . There are many changes in the Steiff market currently so collectors need to be aware of the . Most collectors believe that the first bear ever made according to original design doesnt exist anymore. Catawiki is continuously updating its technology. Finally, note that original bears are worth the most money. All records listed on our website are current and up-to-date. As a companion, a Teddy bear your child holds while sleeping will help them understand the surrounding world and build a warm relationship with other people. He's way cuter. The earliest Steiff bears were manufactured in 1902, and were string-jointed, excelsior-stuffed, and made from dark cinnamon-colored mohair. Unfortunately Elliot never went on to full production, making any surviving examples extremely rare. The condition is very good with very minor mohair loss, some home-sewn repairs to pads. Bid now on Invaluable: A Steiff bears perpetual calendar, height of calender 57cm from Potteries Auctions on March 6, 0123 10:00 AM GMT. It had 21 bids and 49 watchers. Where to Sell a Teddy Bear (Steiff Bears). And, even the more common Steiff bears have regularly commanded several hundreds to several thousands of dollars on the resale market. Very firmly stuffed, with a nice hump on his back and long huggable arms; I was definitely interested in this fellow. A teddy bear with limited edition, will . Unlike bear toys existing on the market until then, unique Steiff bears became quickly recognizable by their structure. This bear was supposed to come in a set of six different colored toys as an order from a London-based company, Harrods. He's balding and his paw pads had to be restored, but he still has character. Thank you for sharing this collectors dream story with us. While the tradition remains even today, vintage and antique teddy bears stay on top of the value and demand chain for many reasons. One bear was purchased by hedge fund manager Paul Greenwood who was amassing quite the teddy bear collection. If the entire body is crunchy, then it has excelsior stuffing, but if its only the head, then the body is stuffed with kapok. While previewing the bears, I was drawn to an old bear sitting quietly by himself. Heres one low tech way to tell if you cant get it x-rayed: feel the jointing system in its limbs. By World War I, Steiff had sold millions of these toys in the United States, Germany, and England. Your WorthPoint account has been suspended. These bears were called Rod teddies because they had metal rods inserted in them so as to create joints. Many manufacturers have distinctive features in the bears that make them readily identifiable. Steiff bears hold the standard for quality in the toy-making industry from their invention to today. 9. The bears fur also has golden threads matching its golden nose linked to its mouth and an anniversary gold medal worn around its neck. Bottom line:The PB 28 series was released in 1904, making these few remaining teddies the oldest known bears in the world. SALE Priced-Rare Steiff Young Lion,Tiger,Leopard Cat IDs 1951-57 Art and Collectible German Mohair Jointed Vintage Toy Bear v. EXC. As you can see, the Farnell teddy bear is made with a child's gas mask attached. The reason for its supposed worth is the bear's history. They have been cleverly pleasing both adults and children alike for over 130 years. The Louis Vuitton Bear, valued at almost $2 million, is the most valuable Steiff bear due to its unique features, including high-end LV logo outfits. Bottom line: At the time, Teddy Girl was the most expensive teddy bear ever sold. It was made in 1908 and features a brooch with the name Will. However, teddy bears from the 1950s and 1960s, are also popular. Now you can pay her a visit at the teddy bear museum in JeJu, South Korea. Then and today, the company has made sure that their toys are resistant to flames as much as possible. The list of the most expensive Steiff bears you can find on the current market includes: The companys designers were convinced that a lovely Hot Water Bottle Teddy bear with an added can should be a hit in 1910 when it came out as a new product. More than a hundred years after the first Teddy bear occurred on the market, collectors enjoy buying old ones. Different collectors pick collectibles for various reasons, whether to own a complete collection of a brand or specific models due to their importance. The earliest bear toys were stuffed with excelsior, fine curled wood shavings used primarily to pack fragile items. He would become a colonel in the British Army and fight in World War II right alongside his beloved Teddy Girl. Steiff is recognized worldwide for their quality stuffed animals. Steiff Harley Davidson Bear - Germany - 250. Steiff Identification 2000. If you were asked what the most valuable teddy bear in the world was, what would you say? 5. STEIFF 2 bears, around 1920, white mohair, 1 x with button, block letters, long trailing f, 9 cm, From November 1904 onwards, every Steiff animal leaving the factory had a "Button in Ear". 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. The first Steiff Bears sold in the U.S. were the 28 P.B.s in 1904. The toy got red rims around black shoe-button eyes, meaning the bear was crying for the victims of the Titanic. One of the earliest Steiff bears to appear for sale is the Steiff Rod Bear PB28, produced in 1904. I looked several times, and from different angles, it was not the FF button but instead, the rare and elusive Elephant button! Insider reported that each bear had a $35,000 price when it entered the market, but it has doubled in todays market. His association with the stuffed Toy led to its popularity and increased sales. Some are custom-made for their personnel to thank them for years of service. The American Bear (1902) - The first known American bear and manufactured by Ideal Novelty and Toy Company. It was bought by Paul Volpp as a 42nd anniversary gift for his wife Rosemary. 1 bid. They are highly prized as a collector's item. cartoon depiction. His felt paw pads have a few holes, but the bidders didn't seem to mind. PB28 Rod Bear - 97,000This may be the oldest Steiff bear that has come onto the market. Its life-like design, including the metallurgical skeleton, mohair fur, and padded felt feet and paws, make it a favorite collectible. Gifting a Teddy bear is a blessing for a child and a symbol of compassion and love. It was made in 1925, and this particular bear was in very good condition upon its sale in 2010. 1950s 24" Steiff Original Bear - Rare Vintage Teddy Bear with Tags and Button in Ear. Bottom line:In 2005, the venerable French fashion house released a teddy it named DouDou (which roughly translates to a cuddly toy or blanket) for the stocking-stuffer friendly price of $9,000. The 114-year-old, German-made toy had attracted interest in bidders from the USA and France. to commercial failure since Germans couldnt relate to the toy like the Americans with the Teddy Roosevelt reference. Despite having some moth holes here and there, Edward sold for just over 15 grand. Weve compiled a comprehensive guide for you to appraise the stuffed toys at face value before reaching out to a professional. Steiff Titanic Mourning Bear Black Steiff Titanic Mourning Bear with Button. 2. is a perforated, single-layer fabric tape since . Over the years, Steiff has made many limited-edition Teddy bears. A new teddy bear costs a few euros. Youve learned the history of the German company, so you know its role in popularizing these toys. It needs to be well-preserved, and as unique as possible. 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 . Steiff toy company attached metal labels with buttons on their teddy bears ears as a means of identification. Per invaluable, in November 1902, former USA president Theodore Teddy Roosevelt went bear hunting unsuccessfully. Richard Steiff himself thought this process was way too time consuming, and insisted that the companys bear production incorporated stitched noses from around 1905 onward. Which Steiff bears are valuable? The German toymaker used mohair textile to cloth the filling because it felt like a real-life bears fur. 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. Diamond Eyes Bear - 79,000125 of these golden bears were produced to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Steiff. After her nephew, Richard Steiff, created these lovely stuffed animals, the company got a chance to develop and expand. 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. STEIFF bear, c. 1910, dark-brown mohair, with big button, block letters, long trailing f, shoe. Hot Water Bottle Teddy Bear - 28,000 The hot water bottle teddy bear was unique because, as the name suggests, it had an opening in the front in which one could place a tin hot water bottle. Steiff Dicky Bear, Replica of 1935 Bear Number 359 of 4000, Gold Plated Button AU $218.84 AU $62.68 postage Steif Bear large Vintage Bear AU $1,313.03 Free postage Vintage Steiff Lion Puppet AU $43.68 AU $43.77 postage or Best Offer SPONSORED Steiff Cosy Year Bear 2007 Teddy Bear Plush Soft Toy Retired 662522 AU $43.68 AU $43.77 postage Button in Ear needs to be restored, but buttons stayed metal shavings used primarily pack! - the first known American bear and manufactured by Ideal Novelty and toy company and German! 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