Additionally the nose is pure gold and the eyes are made up of, you guessed it, diamonds. What makes this limited edition bear so expensive? 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. You could guess whether it was a gift for someone named Will or William, or the bears name is Will. Photo: Bunte Auction Services, Inc. Steiff teddy bear, tan mohair, jointed body, sold with modern sweater with "Teddy B" stitched on front, 1907, 14 in., $500. Monaco (Christie's) When. That apparently sent the price skyrocketing, with at least one confirmed purchase of a set of three bears on eBay for $50,000. excelsior, for its valuable models since the material was expensive. It had 21 bids and 49 watchers. One of the original bears was found and sold in 2000 to the Puppenhaus Museum in Basle, Switzerland where it can be visited today. Create your free account today and explore our weekly auctions curated by our team of experts. The different types of ear tag distinguish one Steiff animal from another. The Steiff started as a small business and became a large company that set the worlds standards for quality in stuffed toy production. They have felt paw pads and five claws embroidered on each paw. Steiff has expanded their market to a more general audience by introducing Steiff Soft Cuddly Teddy Bears. Its uniqueness lies in its metal rod joints that replaced the string-jointed bears made by Steiff in 1903. For many years the old fellow sat quietly in the case; I enjoyed seeing him and knowing of the secret Elephant button hidden inside his ear, I had told very few people about my treasure. Some particular toys contained kapok, a traditional futon filling. Per Cata Wiki, the teddy bear was sold to a South Korean museum in 2000 for a few euros shy of two million.Note that theres another Steiff Bear collaboration withLV thats fully monogrammedin brown and nude without any outer clothing. All records listed on our website are current and up-to-date. Despite having some moth holes here and there, Edward sold for just over 15 grand. That's only six years after Steiff popularized the teddy bear in 1902. Plush Bears for Babies So it sat untouched in storage for decades, which is why it was in such good shape at the time of the auction. They learn to love not only a beloved bear but also their surroundings. Steiff Teddy Girl Bear - $ 143,000 4. Unfortunately, finding a vintage or antique Steiff Bear in excellent condition is rare, so itll be expensive. Diamond Eyes Bear - 79,000. There are three basic identifiers of a true blue Steiff product. The German toymaker used mohair textile to cloth the filling because it felt like a real-life bears fur. In 1906, the company created bears with four claws per paw, making their product recognizable until now. Also, as a potential reseller, its best to buy a bear in at least good condition to last for decades while increasing in value. At Catawiki, youll be surprised every week with the impressive selection of special objects we have on offer. It is known that two of them exist these days. These lovely Teddy bears appeared thanks to the vision and dedication of one woman, Margarete Steiff, who founded the Steiff company. 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. 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. The company still utilizes traditional materials and proven manufacturing techniques to make the best quality products. Bottom line: Not in a laughing mood? As it always goes, the products value primarily depends on its condition when offered for sale. You can also find antique appraisers online or even in your community. 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. 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. The first Steiff Bears sold in the U.S. were the 28 P.B.s in 1904. I carefully put my treasure in a display case to love and admire. Three years later, the company switched to using kapok because it was softer, although it continued using the excelsior for the bears head. 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. . Gutta percha noses were very labor intensive to produce on bears. She wrote "Collecting Teddy Bears" in 1988, which showed off her extensive collection and knowledge of antique bears. Since 1880, when Margarete Steiff founded her company, the bears it produces have become valuable and highly popular worldwide. Two of the most expensive Steiff Teddy bear auction sales of 2020 took place on November 12th through Bertoia Auctions of Vineland, NJ. The Steiff Harlequin bear sold for 46,850 pounds in 2010, in Christies. Steiff Titanic Teddy Bear ($136,000) The teddy bears on this list might be over the top, but there are many teddy bears that are valuable. Heres her story! Also note that the seller now wants more than $700,000 for their last remaining set of three. Interestingly, the vintage Steiff bear value can be surprisingly high. 1950s 24" Steiff Original Bear - Rare Vintage Teddy Bear with Tags and Button in Ear. They also introduced two characteristics never used before. It was made in 1905 in Steiffs second year of making teddies, and it was the beloved bear of Bob Henderson. Lastly, you can always turn to eBay's teddy bear collectors and hobbyists page to see what price other sellers are asking. Producing plush animals since 1902, Steiff is clearly the leader in desirability and value because of its impeccable quality and craftsmanship. The condition is very good with very minor mohair loss, some home-sewn repairs to pads. Selling price: $1,610 (Morphy Auctions, 5/08) Morphy Auctions Steiff Miniature 6" Wool Sheep on Wheels 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 . Plush toys have delighted their owners for 130 years. He drew the bear as a cub birthing the Teddy Bear.. One of the primary ways to identify a Steiff bear was by the metal trademark Button in Ear (Steiff Knopf Im Ohr). The estimation value goes for approximately $72,000, but it depends on the toys condition. Many collectors are unaware that more Mourning bears were produced in 1917 and 1918. Be aware that it is possible to repair a damaged Steiff bear, and you can sew on its eye or patch tears. Physical appearance is a key factor in whether you want the plush bear for decorative or practical purposes. She even had pictures from her childhood to prove its authenticity. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. These simple, solemn bears were originally produced in 2 sizes, 40 cm and 65 cm. These are the ear tags, the Knopf Im Ohr or button in ears and the chest pendants. As a tribute to the victims of the Titanic shipwreck in 1912, Steiff, a German toy company produced bears tagged 'mourning bears.' These teddy bears spotted black and red bounded eyes and today they sell for as much as $20,000 in auctions. Their noses are made from gutta percha. Why such a high price tag? His squeaker doesn't work any more, but this 1940's bear was otherwise flawless when he was sold. Keep reading to discover the other contributory factors. The designs released in its last decade are considered retro because theyre between 20 29 years old. Hot Water Bottle Bear 6. Surprisingly, they were not her original design. A new teddy bear costs a few euros. One such 1909 bear, listed at Christie's Auction House in London, has an estimated value between $520 - $800. Using the analogy above, all Steiff Bears arent priced the same because they hold different significances and, by extension, values. Add to Cart Compare. 15-inch Peace Bear, 9-inch Peace, Ringo, and Bones. It was originally estimated to be worth less than a third of what it sold for, racking up 32 bids before it finally closed. The difference is that the value is not set in stone and the price differs based on the current market and models. The company intended to compete with the established Ideal Toys Teddy bears but failed in this plan. An American wholesaler named George Borgfeldt saw the bear at the Leipzig Toy Fair in 1903 and promptly ordered 3,000 of them. It is now a symbol for top-notch products like no other similar company has achieved to date. But, overall, collectors can attest that its one of the most valuable antiques and vintage teddy bears of all time. Georgia 30328 | 877.481.5750, Rebekah Kaufman is a Worthologist who specializes in vintage Steiff and other European plush collectibles. The earliest Steiff bears were manufactured in 1902, and were string-jointed, excelsior-stuffed, and made from dark cinnamon-colored mohair. To optimise your browsing experience, please update your browser. Upon its release in 1997, the year she died, it went for a mere $5 to $7. Rebekah Kaufman is a Worthologist who specializes in vintage Steiff and other European plush collectibles. The paw pads were restored, and there are a few pin holes on the feet pads, but the bear's knit scarf and "Good Bye Teddy! Examine the metal ear button. Steiff Bear with Hot Water Bottle, $30,000. . The 12 Days of Christmas as Represented by Steiff Stuffed Animals, These Early Steiff Treasures Have a Presidential Seal of Approval, Its No Joke When it Comes to Steiffs Vintage Teddy Clown Bears, Oh Baby! However, they changed their mind, and these bears stayed in the headquarters of Steiff in Germany. Carefully I checked his left ear with by fingers and felt, deep inside, a small button which was not easily visible to the eye. Harlequin Bear - 71,000. Luckily, an American company, George Borgfeldt Toy Co., sought to import the Steiff bears and commissioned 3000 teddies to be shipped to the US. If youre wondering, 55 P.B. 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. Keeping you informed, connected, and involved in the antiques and collectibles industry. From 1905, the company replaced its metal rods with pins on cardboards. The guesswork is that other bears didnt make it past the design phase, and thus only the blue-colored toy from 1908 still exists. Several years ago, I attended the preview of a toy auction in a small town in British Columbia, Canada. In 1908 Steiff produced six different coloured bears and sent them to the London department store Harrods as samples for future orders. His fur is thinner than it once was, and his eyes have lost some of their brown-painted backings, but he's still considered to be in excellent condition for being made in the 1920s. To prove the authenticity of their products, the Steiff company used a BUTTON IN EAR tag. Rod bears tend to vary a lot in their actual looks and presentation, given they are so early, made by hand, and their patterns were rapidly evolving. Atlanta, Toy and collectables . As soon as Steiff bears appeared on the market, they became a sensation. Unfortunately, it didnt get a good reception from the Steiff companys regular customers, causing it to go off the shelves. Hed owned the stuffed Toy from his birth in 1909 until his dying breath in 1990. 4. Rarity. You can register to sell with Catawiki here and who know, maybe your bear will be worth more than you thought. She was purchased in 2000 for nearly 2 million euros at a charity auction in Monaco. Condition is another thing you should consider. 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. To my surprise and delight I was contacted the next day and informed I had indeed won a bear! Steiff toy company attached metal labels with buttons on their teddy bears ears as a means of identification. 1959 STEIFF WONDERFUL PADDY THE WALRUS MOHAIR 4310,00 TAGS 12CM 5 INCHES See Sold Price 2022 Jasper52 1969 STEIFF DALLE THE WILD BOAR ALL TAGS 2670/15 SPIKY MOHAIR MADE IN AUSTRIA See Sold Price 2022 Jasper52 1949-1958 STEIFF BABY FAWN VELVET 6412.0 12CM 5 INCHES BROWN & BEIGE SPOTS See Sold Price 2022 Jasper52 Before the sale, the company had made a limited number of 665 in five standard sizes. $549.00. 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. 654701 (with COA), Capricorn bear, no. Both fabrics have soft feels, but the former has longer hair. Here at the World of Bears we like to think we give a service worthy of the Steiff Bear and the Steiff name. You can set your cookie preferences using the toggles below. Edward Bear' was made circa 1912 by Steiff. is the unique characteristic of a genuine Steiff product. Bottom line:For a long time, Bing was the only other teddy bear maker in the world besides Steiff. One of the earliest Steiff bears to appear for sale is the Steiff Rod Bear PB28, produced in 1904. This bear has quite a morbid origin. It moved production to China four years ago, but . This two-toned bear was a special model gifted to Steiff Company employees for long-term dedicated service (40 years) upon retirement. The Steiff button in his ear is part of what made him so valuable as a collectible teddy bear. 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 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. See the table below for a comprehensive list. Nevertheless, the final bid for this toy was an astonishing $55,500. Even relatively new Steiff bears tend to appreciate in value. White Steiff teddy bear rare vintage made 1956 to 1964 only large 16 inches tall ad vertisement by ShabbyGoesLucky Ad from shop ShabbyGoesLucky ShabbyGoesLucky From shop ShabbyGoesLucky. The bears eyes are made from emeralds and diamonds, and its nose is solid 24-karat gold. The other Harlequin bear with a different pattern belongs to a retired worker. Unfortunately, it will stay a mystery forever. 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. The 114-year-old, German-made toy had attracted interest in bidders from the USA and France. 111327, contained with an original Steiff box, together with a Hermann ' Princess Diana Queen of Hearts ' ltd edn musical bear with tag, and one other teddy bear . Quick view . Christies soldit in 2004 for 28,680 Pounds which is approximately $37,000 in todays USA market. Bears have never been sold or seen since 1902, so they remain the most elusive model of Steiff Bears ever produced. Vectis Steiff bears were rare in the UK in 1908 Bidders from the US and France have shown interest in a rare 114-year-old teddy bear, an auction house has said. Bottom line: This rare teddy bear isn't the only clockwork bear on this list, but it's probably the coolest. Bottom line:After the Titanic disaster in 1912, Steiff made 600 black teddy bears to mourn the victims of the shipwreck. Nothing has been changed until these days, and the company still uses it to differentiate between Steiff toys and counterfeits. STEIFF bear, c. 1910, dark-brown mohair, with big button, block letters, long trailing f, shoe. Want to help kids reduce screen time and develop their imagination and creativity? As the stories go, he held on to his teddy girl during World War II making Teddy Girl a pseudo veteran of the British Army. 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 . 1. The Bing clockwork bear was made around 1910. Other than that, Steiff bears have many features that make them unique and help appraisers and experts recognize the authentic pieces. Dedicated collectors are prepared to pay a fortune for one of these pieces. HISTORY OF STEIFF German toymaker Margarete Steiff (July 24, 1847 - May 9, 1909), born in Giengen, started creating toy stuffed animals in 1880 in the town of Giengen an der Brenz, Germany. She was given to Bob Henderson as a gift when he was born. Watch Rebekah Kaufman below as she unboxes this fabulous rod bear! Insider reported that each bear had a $35,000 price when it entered the market, but it has doubled in todays market. 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. They have real diamonds on their glass eyes and were produced to celebrate the 125th year of the brand with only 125 pieces. He's balding and his paw pads had to be restored, but he still has character. 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. Later versions had printed only the companys name, Steiff, but buttons stayed metal. A label is the most definitive means of telling who made a teddy. Its limbs are attached to little wheels and a red tin ball. The standard design is characterized by a yellow fabric tape with the company and the words . The first models came and included an elephant sign on the Steiff button, although they evolved to a simple inscription of the companys name. Colonel Bob Henderson got this bear when he was born in 1905. photo source: www.gazette-drouot.com. Circa 1925, 25/64cm high. Teddy bears came into existence in 1903 thanks to a political cartoon. cartoon depiction. 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. That also includes the labels on the ears and the buttons. 9. The reason for its supposed worth is the bear's history. While the tradition remains even today, vintage and antique teddy bears stay on top of the value and demand chain for many reasons. 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. The original owner sold it in 1999. Bottom line: Ahoy! Every month, we auction Steiff bears and other animals in our Doll and Bear auction. Check the table abovefor more dates and models. This Teddy bear type first appeared in 1925. They have all the elements of a valuable antique or vintage item, from historical significance to longevity and rarity. Share the joy of squishy hugs from Steiff stuffed bears with the kids in your life. $30. However, hiring an accredited appraiser is best to make double assurance. Finally, note that original bears are worth the most money. Today, its valued at $40,000 by most publications including Peeps Burgh. 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