In addition to the furry mohair body, the bear also had felt patches sewn over the closure on its arms and legs to complete the life-like design. 7. Bottom line: Ahoy! 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! 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. They loved them so much that in 1991, Ralph Lauren produced a small batch of Polo teddy bears in collaboration with Steiff and began putting the designs on sweaters, sweatshirts . Many people keep their teddy bears through major life changes, from moving homes to getting married. Your WorthPoint account has been suspended. Steiff toy company attached metal labels with buttons on their teddy bears ears as a means of identification. Steiff Bears with original orange labels and button fasteners are top-tier collectibles. That apparently sent the price skyrocketing, with at least one confirmed purchase of a set of three bears on eBay for $50,000. They are solidly stuffed with excelsior and have football shaped bodies. Steiff Center Seam bear 7. From November 1904 onwards, every Steiff animal leaving the factory had a "Button in Ear". Steiff bears history and importance for the company and children are impressive. As a long-time Teddy bear collector, I was pleased to see a nice selection of old and newer Teddy bears included in the sale. 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. 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. 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. It could also be a result of its unique colorway, like the D.C. comic book character. That surprisingly low value is probably a result of these bears less realistic appearance compared to other toys this company produces. Also note that the seller now wants more than $700,000 for their last remaining set of three. Made with glossy white mohair, a nose stitched in brown and black glass eyes, it's about as close to mint condition as a 100-year-old bear can get. Steiff Blue Elliot Bear. His velvety brown mohair is in perfect condition. Bottom line: If you've heard of Omega Toys, you're probably not a zoomer or millennial. "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.". It also lived in the owners home, where it was rarely shown and generally kept away from curious children. I picked him up and was surprised how solid he felt. Many manufacturers have distinctive features in the bears that make them readily identifiable. The guesswork is that other bears didnt make it past the design phase, and thus only the blue-colored toy from 1908 still exists. Bid on over 65,000 special objects every week, selected by 240+ experts, Why You Should Start Investing in Vintage Toys Today. Starting in 1909, the year this bear was made, Bing used its own designs for bears. These are some of the oldest manufactured teddies by Steiff. She worked for Steiff for more than 40 years, including for the last five years of founder Margarete Steiffs life (who died in 1909). Gifting a Teddy bear is a blessing for a child and a symbol of compassion and love. Bottom line: Its not the most expensive teddy ever made, but its one of the coolest. While there are replicas of this 1926 bear out there, don't be fooled for the real thing. Sold: 2009. Browse Similar. It released its first teddy, the Bear 55 P.B. Naturally, these figures will pique your interest and have you rummaging through your old toys looking to make top dollar. Both fabrics have soft feels, but the former has longer hair. Steiff Rod Teddy Bear ($101,880) Made in 1904, it is one of the first bears ever produced by the German company. At the time, the bear was the most expensive teddy purchase ever made. Initially, these toys eyes were black shoe buttons, but they changed over time. Their noses are made from gutta percha. Its limbs are attached to little wheels and a red tin ball. One of the 1912 versions went for $136,000 at an auction in 2000. Ordinary Steiff bears produced after WWII, particularly from the 1950s to the 1980s, can be worth approximately $60. What an exceptional treasure to add to my collection! Bottom line: This Bruin Steiff teddy bear is a few decades younger than most of the rare teddy bears here, and it shows. However, for the most part, Steiffs rod bears share these common features: The noses of the original rod bears were extremely labor intensive. was created in 1904 and the hot water bottle bears lasted between 907 1914. Steiff toy company partnered with leading fashion brand Louis Vuitton to create this beautifully adorned teddy bear. Alternatively, you can decipher the age through its model, like how 28 P.B. 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. Please go to the Settings from the Mobile app for more details. The Steiff Harlequin bear sold for 46,850 pounds in 2010, in Christies. You can update your preferences, withdraw your consent at any time, and see a detailed description of the types of cookies we and our partners use in our Cookie Policy. 2023 - WorthPoint Corporation | 5 Concourse Parkway NE, Suite 2900. That lovely mohair bear produced in 1926 became a present for the 42nd wedding anniversary to his wife, Rosemary. Bottom line: Not in a laughing mood? The couple said Happy was their most popular bear. You can set your cookie preferences using the toggles below. Add to Cart Compare. 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. For example, if your bear was owned by a historical figure, featured in a blockbuster movie, or autographed by a famous person, then you can expect a premium price tag. Q: Which other antique teddy bear brands exist? is the unique characteristic of a genuine Steiff product. I looked several times, and from different angles, it was not the FF button but instead, the rare and elusive Elephant button! Bottom line: Made over a century ago in 1907, this Steiff bear features reddish mohair, a swiveling head and long, jointed limbs. Even relatively new Steiff bears tend to appreciate in value. 4. Sometimes, their price can be higher when the toy is particularly well kept. It had 21 bids and 49 watchers. He thought that such a dark toy might scare children. You are currently using an outdated browser. Teddy bears from before the First World War are particularly valuable. Here are some great tips on how to do that from Totally Teddy Bears. Steiff Bear with Hot Water Bottle, $30,000. Heres her story! Steiff is the most popular teddy bear manufacturer, as well as Novelty & Toy Co., and Schuco. He's balding and his paw pads had to be restored, but he still has character. It doesnt matter that a manufacturer still exists today because those designs that made them unique have been watered down to fit modernization. She was purchased in 2000 for nearly 2 million euros at a charity auction in Monaco. STEIFF 2 bears, around 1920, white mohair, 1 x with button, block letters, long trailing f, 9 cm, Reuters reported a sale for about $105,000 in Germany despite the 28 P.B. It was owned by Pam Hebbs, who was considered to be one of the worlds greatest teddy bear collectors and evaluators. Rare Steiff Bears with a limited release, recalled or discontinued models are the most valuable designs. From 1905, the company replaced its metal rods with pins on cardboards. Quick view . Bottom line:Alfonzo was a one-off bear made in 1908 specifically for Princess Xenia Georgievna, daughter of Russian Grand Duke George Mikhailovich (hence the bears red color). Steiffs rod bears are truly blue moon finds. This bear was supposed to come in a set of six different colored toys as an order from a London-based company, Harrods. 654701 (with COA), Capricorn bear, no. The Steiff companys motto ONLY THE BEST IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR CHILDREN became widely recognizable. 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. He served as a colonel in the British army during WWII and fought with Teddy Girl by his side. Interestingly, Franz Steiff also added an elephant print on the buttons surface in early design versions produced in 1904. Over the years, Steiff has made many limited-edition Teddy bears. 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. The designs released in its last decade are considered retro because theyre between 20 29 years old. 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. Luckily, an American company, George Borgfeldt Toy Co., sought to import the Steiff bears and commissioned 3000 teddies to be shipped to the US. Antique Miniature Steiff Teddy Bear 3" Tall Jointed Mohair..Worth $300 and up $125.00 Free shipping or Best Offer 35 watching 1905 Steiff 16" 5 Claw Mohair Bear $1,429.20 $30.78 shipping or Best Offer 10 watching Rare Steiff Teddy Bear with button and US zone signed top mohair fur 21.4" $1,800.00 $59.00 shipping or Best Offer 16 watching Steiff 28 PB 3. 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. Antiques roadshow appraisal steiff white bear ca 1905. 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. You can register to sell with Catawiki here and who know, maybe your bear will be worth more than you thought. Steiff Identification 1986-1999. Steiff has expanded their market to a more general audience by introducing Steiff Soft Cuddly Teddy Bears. The company intended to compete with the established Ideal Toys Teddy bears but failed in this plan. Let's explore the most expensive Steiff animals which have sold on Catawiki. Circa 1925, 25/64cm high. Collectors Bear 2023, the 'Jewel in the Crown' of the collectors' world Embracing tradition and timeless values, our British Collectors'. These very early bruins were commercially produced in white or blonde mohair in two sizes:28 cm sitting/40 cm standing and 35 cm sitting/50 cm standing. Want to know what makes some bears so pricey? Ending Wednesday at 12 . The typical earliest nose from 1905 is stitched like a bar, with a few stitches in the middle reaching down to join into a simple V-shaped mouth. 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. is the symbol of quality from Margarete Steiff GmbH. Nevertheless, it made the papers when Clifford Berryman, a political cartoonist, depicted the event in a quirky caricature. Bottom line: A rare Steiff teddy bear with blonde mohair and sweet, black button eyes, this original bear dates back to around 1908. VINTAGE STEIFF GRISSY DONKEY 3605/20 TEDDY BEAR OLD LABEL EAR BUTTON RARE. 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. He would have been one of six different coloured bears in the sample production. Dedicated collectors are prepared to pay a fortune for one of these pieces. Thanks to the cartoon showing American President Theodore Roosevelt and a bear cub, they gained the nickname TEDDY. This lovely stuffed toy had movable arms and legs, and it was the first one with such features worldwide. The 55 P.B. Check out the 10 most expensive Steiff bears in the world. Caesar the teddy bear was made by Steiff around 1908. to commercial failure since Germans couldnt relate to the toy like the Americans with the Teddy Roosevelt reference. 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. Different collectors pick collectibles for various reasons, whether to own a complete collection of a brand or specific models due to their importance. 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. Finally, note that original bears are worth the most money. More incredible than the price tag, however, is the story behind this Steiff. Happy Teddy Bear - 120,000This vintage bear from 1926 sold for an impressive price at the very same Steiff Festival in 2002. Bottom line: This rare Steiff Record Teddy riding an antique metal framed cart was produced around 1915. The German toymaker used mohair textile to cloth the filling because it felt like a real-life bears fur. German Steiff teddy bears are often sold at auctions, as these bears are among the most collected. $549.00. excelsior, for its valuable models since the material was expensive. This applies to bears with factory errors and historical significance, as explained above. In 1994, Teddy Girl was sold as part of his Estate in an auction for $143,000+ per Reuters. TEDDY BEARS - Lot of five Steiff teddy bears, TEDDY BEARS - Lot of five Steiff teddy bears, three are jointed, two are stuffed, good condition. Animal: Bear. To my surprise and delight I was contacted the next day and informed I had indeed won a bear! Plush Bears for Babies 3.75 postage. Another collection of Tys, the quartet of 15-inch Peace Bear, 9-inch Peace Bear, Ringo (the raccoon), and Bones (a dog) can be worth up to . As a general rule in keepsake collections, older items are more valuable than recent creations; however, there are a few outliers. However, to recap, there are certain factors and criteria your bear must fulfill, including age, condition, brand, historical significance, and rarity. 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. In todays economy, that value has dropped to 31,200 Pounds. Steiff's diamond eye teddy bear - $84,000 8. To optimise your browsing experience, please update your browser. STEIFF bear, c. 1910, dark-brown mohair, with big button, block letters, long trailing f, shoe. Its estimated value is $85,000 on the current market. It was made in 2000 with beautifully tailored clothes and luggage and sold at a charity auction in Monaco. The estimation value goes for approximately $72,000, but it depends on the toys condition. 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 Louis Vuitton Bear - 1,978,000This fuzzy fashionista decked out in Louis Vuittons finest takes the number one spot on our list. Centre Seam Bear - 51,700This cinnamon brown mohair bear wears a silver brooch bearing the name Will. The maker helps to determine the value because some are considered premium and highly sought after, such as Steiff, Chiltern, Joy Toys or Ideal. Keep reading to discover the other contributory factors. 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. 160 (2 bids) Jan 25, 2023 Vintage Accents Auctions. Later versions had printed only the companys name, Steiff, but buttons stayed metal. We became fast friends with our mutual Teddy bear interest and she introduced me to Rebekah Kaufman to assist in identifying my old Steiff bear. The rod bear pictured was estimated at 8,000- 12,000 pounds or between $10-12,000 according to Getty. Two toy companies, Ideal Toy Co. and Steiff, produced the first teddy bears in the early 1900s. Catawiki is continuously updating its technology. Bear with Louis Vuitton monograms - $ 182,000 3. Plus, childrens attachment to lovely stuffed toys shows their emotional maturity. Want to help kids reduce screen time and develop their imagination and creativity? This is an optional document to own, but it helps because its evidence of authenticity. His companions caught one for him and tied it to a tree for him to kill, but he declined. 18.60. 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. 10. Judging by the price tag, that's all that matters. Louis Vuitton Bear Vintage Steiff Bears Identification What should I look for in a Steiff bear? Worthpoint: I am certain he will find a new loving family immediately, based on his wonderful history and delightful looks and personality! This biking bear was released to commemorate Harley Davidson's 100th anniversary, in a run of just 5000. 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. Teddy Girl Bear - 130,000. There are three basic identifiers of a true blue Steiff product. 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. The first was lot #482, a 24 tall, c. 1905 enter-seam teddy bear. Steiff Identification 2000. Create your free account today and explore our weekly auctions curated by our team of experts. Every month, we auction Steiff bears and other animals in our Doll and Bear auction. In the very beginning, one American buyer ordered 3,000 stuffed bears from a Steiff, a toy-making company founded in Germany in 1903. Bottom line: This rare teddy bear isn't the only clockwork bear on this list, but it's probably the coolest. 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. Bottom line:After the Titanic disaster in 1912, Steiff made 600 black teddy bears to mourn the victims of the shipwreck. As a result, only a few well-preserved pieces are available on the current market, making this model pricey. Hopefully this cuddly top 10 list has inspired you to find a new friend at Catawiki's monthlydoll and bear auction. They also introduced two characteristics never used before. This material is a natural latex product made from the sap of the Palaquium gutta tree. The reason for its supposed worth is the bear's history. 9. Sort By: 1 2 3 4 5 The first Steiff Bears sold in the U.S. were the 28 P.B.s in 1904. Trading antique and vintage items are different from regular modern products because of acquired tastes. They are highly prized as a collector's item. The tag or button may be buried in the mohair of older bears. 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. PB28 Rod Bear - 97,000. Monaco (Christie's) When.