Who doesnt like a two-in-one item? We recently met a collector who found one in the most exciting way possible. Bottom line:The Princess Diana teddy is something of a legend among collectors. its tacked on a gray ribbon on the right side of its chest making it one of the few with accessories. These simple, solemn bears were originally produced in 2 sizes, 40 cm and 65 cm. The number of Steiff bears available today is limited as many antique animals were well loved and did not survive the last hundred years. Nowadays, stuffed bears are of great importance as a present and comfort toy, notably popularized after Winnie Pooh became popular in the literary world. 3.75 postage. The 114-year-old, German-made toy had attracted interest in bidders from the USA and France. Steiff Identification 2000. He's balding and his paw pads had to be restored, but he still has character. Steiffs rod bears are truly blue moon finds. It was made in 2000 with beautifully tailored clothes and luggage and sold at a charity auction in Monaco. Picture 1 of 13. EAR TAGS. The German toymaker used mohair textile to cloth the filling because it felt like a real-life bears fur. Apart from the obvious age difference, other factors that affect the value include; For obvious reasons, finding a Steiff Bear with historical significance would increase the value exponentially. Much like other antiques of the period, these bears' value increases or decreases based on its condition. In 2000, a branded LV Steiff Bear sold at auction for $182,550 per Guinness Book of World Records. His velvety brown mohair is in perfect condition. Supreme Louis Vuitton Teddy Bear - $ 106,016 6. One of the original bears was found and sold in 2000 to the Puppenhaus Museum in Basle, Switzerland where it can be visited today. Also note that the seller now wants more than $700,000 for their last remaining set of three. Paul Volpp bought one for $55,000 at auction in 1989. A few years later, there was a second run, but that didnt diminish the bears value or at least what this seller thinks of its value, hoping to sell it for a whopping $100,000. Q: How can you tell what year a Steiff bear is? A Look Back at Steiffs Toys for Tots from the 1970s and 80s. Check the table abovefor more dates and models. Here at the World of Bears we like to think we give a service worthy of the Steiff Bear and the Steiff name. However, they are listed for sale on eBay for upward of $8,000. The company intended to compete with the established Ideal Toys Teddy bears but failed in this plan. Both retain . Bottom line: Made over a century ago in 1907, this Steiff bear features reddish mohair, a swiveling head and long, jointed limbs. That was an excellent way to protect Steiffs high-quality products from imitations and prevent possible fraud. Manufacturer: Steiff. Squeeze the head of your Steiff Bear and feel the crunch to ascertain the contents. Bottom line:There are plenty of websites claiming this bear sold for more than $2 million, but we were unable to find a credible source. In the very beginning, one American buyer ordered 3,000 stuffed bears from a Steiff, a toy-making company founded in Germany in 1903. 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. It was owned by Pam Hebbs, who was considered to be one of the worlds greatest teddy bear collectors and evaluators. Worthpoint: Can you please tell us how you first came across this wonderful Steiff find? Want to know what makes some bears so pricey? photo source: www.gazette-drouot.com. (142) $145.00. She worked for Steiff for more than 40 years, including for the last five years of founder Margarete Steiffs life (who died in 1909). Your WorthPoint account has been suspended. 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. One bear was purchased by hedge fund manager Paul Greenwood who was amassing quite the teddy bear collection. Teddy Girl Bear - 130,000She came to fame when she was sold at auction for over 100,000 euros. And at first, Bing simply copied Steiff until a lawsuit changed the company's tune. Each one required an artisan to place individual drops of this black, sticky, rubbery substance on the tip of the bears muzzle until enough built up to resemble a nose. They have all the elements of a valuable antique or vintage item, from historical significance to longevity and rarity. Inspect the furry body for tears and other physical defects. Keep scrolling for more on this bear. 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. . The value of their stuffed animals and teddy bears increase as they age and continue to fetch top dollar on the auction market. Now you can pay her a visit at the teddy bear museum in JeJu, South Korea. From November 1904 onwards, every Steiff animal leaving the factory had a "Button in Ear". Its jester costume is exactly like the one manufactured by Steiff for their clown toy in the same year. The Steiff Purity Law: A Promise Of Quality. Heres a comprehensive list of things to look for in an authentic Steiff Bear; Steiff Bears came with metal labels on their ears and later had yellow ribbons along the button attachment. On the other hand, customers didnt warmly welcome some models, such as the Hot Water Bottle Teddy bear. . . A Steiff 'Louis Vuitton' teddy bear made in 2000 and measuring 45 cm (17 in) sold for 213,720.00 ($182,550; 125,831) on 14 October 2000 at Christie's, Monaco. This limited-edition bear was famous for its extravagant design. 10. In collaboration withBarbara Bieshaar-Dolls & Bears / Iconic Toys and Movie Memorabilia Expert. Do Steiff bears increase value? The original owner sold it in 1999. Initially, these toys eyes were black shoe buttons, but they changed over time. They have real diamonds on their glass eyes and were produced to celebrate the 125th year of the brand with only 125 pieces. It had diamond eyes, the nose made of pure gold, while its magnificent fur contained golden threads. Steiff Bears reserved wood wool stuffing, a.k.a. A rare circa 1920s teddy bear called the Steiff harlequin bear sold for nearly $75,000 some time ago. 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. Sometimes, their price can be higher when the toy is particularly well kept. If he were sitting in the window of a toy shop today, this 12-inch teddy would fit in just fine. Both new and established collectors appreciate the fine craftsmanship and innovative design of Steiff premium bears. Rare Steiff Bears with a limited release, recalled or discontinued models are the most valuable designs. His association with the stuffed Toy led to its popularity and increased sales. He served as a colonel in the British army during WWII and fought with Teddy Girl by his side. Diamond Eyes Steiff Bear 5. While more and more toys sport "Made in China" labels, high-end stuffed animal maker Steiff is going against the flow. The bears eyes are made from emeralds and diamonds, and its nose is solid 24-karat gold. Steiff Titanic Mourning Bear - $ 136,000 5. A limited reproduction of about 5,000 bears was released in 1990, but those bears never achieved the value of the original. 10. This type of large teddy bear was used as a display toy in old toy shops. And, even the more common Steiff bears have regularly commanded several hundreds to several thousands of dollars on the resale market. Diamond Eyes Bear - 79,000. It was sold in 2002 in Germany. Colonel Bob Henderson's Teddy Girl 1. These lovely Teddy bears appeared thanks to the vision and dedication of one woman, Margarete Steiff, who founded the Steiff company. If you dont know when your toy was created, the button will solve the mystery. 34. Also, with the evolution of technology and the rise of minimalistic designs, the world is losing the distinct characteristics of age-old brands. 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! 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. Check out the 10 most expensive Steiff bears in the world. Knowing what to look for would help you pick the authentic Steiff Bear when buying and appropriate a good estimate value if you plan to sell. Bottom line: This rare teddy bear isn't the only clockwork bear on this list, but it's probably the coolest. The company began production immediately, and 655 Teddy bears were made in 1912. Interestingly, the vintage Steiff bear value can be surprisingly high. Top 10 Most Expensive Steiff Bears Louis Vuitton Bear - 1,978,000. Once confirmed he was indeed a very rare and wonderful Steiff Rod bear, I felt it was time for him to go to a new loving home where he can be appreciated and enjoyed for many, many more years and continue to be a treasure in another Teddy bear collection. 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. More incredible than the price tag, however, is the story behind this Steiff. Nevertheless, the final bid for this toy was an astonishing $55,500. By 1913, standard Teddy bears got eyes made of brown and black glass pupil beads. Teddy bears came into existence in 1903 thanks to a political cartoon. It is known that two of them exist these days. Steiff toy company attached metal labels with buttons on their teddy bears ears as a means of identification. The 19.5-inch bear no longer growls, but he was otherwise sold in excellent condition. #7. It moved production to China four years ago, but . This biking bear was released to commemorate Harley Davidson's 100th anniversary, in a run of just 5000. 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. The quickest way to determine the Steiff bears age is to check their eyes. Here are some great tips on how to do that from Totally Teddy Bears. Animopus is a drawing app for kids (ages 2 and up) that turns cartoon consumers into cartoon creators. They were made with built-in sound boxes that growled when a red string is pulled, but most of them don't work anymore. bears being in fair condition. It also lived in the owners home, where it was rarely shown and generally kept away from curious children. The age of this bear is easily distinguished by the center seam running down the middle of the bear, a trademark of some of the earliest Steiff teddy bears. 2. Steiff Harlequin Teddy Bear ($74,560) Made in 1925 as a sample, this multi-coloured bear was bought in 1999 and re-sold in 2010. 5 out of 5 stars (984) $ 675.54 FREE shipping Add to Favorites Blue Steiff Mohair Bear - Vintage Curly Mohair - Jointed Steiff Animals - Excellent Condition . The tag or button may be buried in the mohair of older bears. Bear means 55cm tall, Plush Beweglich (Moveable in German) Bear. Catawiki is continuously updating its technology. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Vintage Steiff Bear Value (Identification & Price Guides), Old Stamps Value (Identification & Price Guides), Vintage Beanie Baby Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Teacups Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Teapots Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Coffee Grinders Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Milk Cans Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Pie Safe Value (Identification & Price Guides), Vintage Valentine Cards Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Bottles Value (Identification & Price Guides), Benrus Watch Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Blue Willow China Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Car Blue Book (Car Value & Identificatiron), Old Buttons Value (Identification & Price Guides), Skeleton Key Value (Identification & Price Guides). Its estimated value is $85,000 on the current market. It carried a silver brooch with the name Will engraved. The origin behind their creation makes them not only famous but also valuable. Damaged bears, particularly those with missing fur patches, the trademark button, or eyes, will go for $300 to $400 on a good day at the auction. The most distinctive feature of the Center Seam Steiff Bear is its Silver Brooch bearing Will. The Toy Shoppe has offered Steiff products since we first opened our doors in 1975. was created in 1904 and the hot water bottle bears lasted between 907 1914. On the other hand, Steiff Teddy bears from the early years come in a price range from $520 to $800, depending on their preservation levels. Many experts believe that Teddy bears are crucial for kids emotional development, helping them through tough times. The difference is that the value is not set in stone and the price differs based on the current market and models. It spent many years on display in a shoe store in Massachusetts before it was auctioned off. This rare Omega Coaster teddy is perched on top of a wooden trolley, and his jointed legs really pedal when the cart is pushed forward. Quick view . It earned its name Harlequinas the English version of the German word, Harlekin. These bears never caught on as well as Steiff had hoped, therefore not many were produced around 1910. According to collectors, this particular cinnamon-colored Teddy bear with mohair fur and beady eyes that came to the market around 1908 was beautiful. 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. Unfortunately Elliot never went on to full production, making any surviving examples extremely rare. The bottle could be removed when not needed. 160 (2 bids) Jan 25, 2023 Vintage Accents Auctions. 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. Many manufacturers have distinctive features in the bears that make them readily identifiable. 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. Using the analogy above, all Steiff Bears arent priced the same because they hold different significances and, by extension, values. Buy Steiff Teddy Bears and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! Bottom line: This valuable teddy bear has flattened fur, a missing label and patches where the mohair is worn away completely, but the seller still thinks it's worth a hefty sum. The rod bear pictured was estimated at 8,000- 12,000 pounds or between $10-12,000 according to Getty. This jointing system shows up prominently in an x-ray, and thats best way to confirm a bears internal connectors. Several years ago, I attended the preview of a toy auction in a small town in British Columbia, Canada. Since 1880, when Margarete Steiff founded her company, the bears it produces have become valuable and highly popular worldwide. Sign up for her Steiff newsletter by contacting her directly at steifflife@gmail.com. The Steiff Harlequin bear sold for 46,850 pounds in 2010, in Christies. "We have sold a number of very rare Steiff bears for in excess of 30,000, the last being a particularly fine condition black Steiff from 1912 made for the English market only, in memory of those lost in the Titanic disaster.". Before the sale, the company had made a limited number of 665 in five standard sizes. Bottom line:The PB 28 series was released in 1904, making these few remaining teddies the oldest known bears in the world. is a perforated, single-layer fabric tape since . Edward Bear' was made circa 1912 by Steiff. It was made in 1908 and features a brooch with the name Will. This rare teddy bear was once owned by Jeanette Paros, who lovingly ran her own antique teddy bear business for decades. Hed owned the stuffed Toy from his birth in 1909 until his dying breath in 1990. The bear sold at the Christies auction in 2006 and was owned by the same woman for her entire 90-year life. Disqus. I carefully put my treasure in a display case to love and admire. One of the best in this field is Dr. Lori Verderame, who has a blog dedicated to her craft. Georgia 30328 | 877.481.5750, Rebekah Kaufman is a Worthologist who specializes in vintage Steiff and other European plush collectibles. His long, jointed limbs and swivel head still work, and his brown and black glass eyes are as shiny as ever. Where did Antique and Vintage Teddy Bears Originate From? Thanks to the cartoon showing American President Theodore Roosevelt and a bear cub, they gained the nickname TEDDY. Blue Elliot Bear - 58,000It is assumed that Elliot was produced as a sample for the British department store, Harolds. Both fabrics have soft feels, but the former has longer hair. 14 October 2000. You could guess whether it was a gift for someone named Will or William, or the bears name is Will. The sellers great-grandfather originally owned the bear, although its unknown how or when it was first acquired. Keep reading to discover the other contributory factors. These bears were called Rod teddies because they had metal rods inserted in them so as to create joints. On a side note, Kim Kardashian bought one of these teddies for her third child for $170,000. SWEET 13" Vintage Steiff 0202/36 FAO Schwartz Teddy Bear. Are Steiff bears numbered? One more typical feature of the oldest products was the paws with five claws. Gifting a Teddy bear is a blessing for a child and a symbol of compassion and love. Upon its release in 1997, the year she died, it went for a mere $5 to $7. As its name suggests, this bear has an opening in . Handcrafted with white mohair, black boot button eyes, a stitched brown eyes and jointed limbs, the 25-inch bear was given to the original seller when she was a teenager in the early 1900s. With my auction-face on, I didnt want to show my interest as there were other people studying the items up for bid that evening, I left a reserve bid on several old bears with my fingers crossed I would win at least one. It stands in a branded LV logo trench coat and matching hat with a briefcase similar to the O.G. It released its first teddy, the Bear 55 P.B. For example, antique Steiff Bears sell between $500 $800, Vintage pieces go for less at $300 $400, while Retro releases sell between $100 and less per eBay. Two toy companies, Ideal Toy Co. and Steiff, produced the first teddy bears in the early 1900s.