Diamond Eyes Bear - 79,000125 of these golden bears were produced to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Steiff. Can you post pictures of the bears and the buttons? Steiff's idea for the bear came from his drawings of the animals at the Stuttgart Zoo. You are currently using an outdated browser. is the unique characteristic of a genuine Steiff product. SWEET 13" Vintage Steiff 0202/36 FAO Schwartz Teddy Bear. On the other hand, customers didnt warmly welcome some models, such as the Hot Water Bottle Teddy bear. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your WorthPoint Account is Suspended: Please update your billing information in. He was fortunate to survive, and the worn bear was sold with David's original National Registration Identity Card. The couple said Happy was their most popular bear. You mustve skipped the section above. Bottom line:After the Titanic disaster in 1912, Steiff made 600 black teddy bears to mourn the victims of the shipwreck. 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 . 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 . Other manufacturers quickly caught on, but none more so than the Steiff plush toys company from Germany, which quickly became a worldwide brand name due to the quality build of their teddy bears. You can rely on the material texture, knowing that wood wool is older models made before 1950 while plush feathers came after. Circa 1925, 25/64cm high. Buy Steiff Teddy Bears and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! 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. In 1908 Steiff produced six different coloured bears and sent them to the London department store Harrods as samples for future orders. Rarity. Bear with us, because the price on this jester teddy is no joke. Centre Seam Bear - 51,700This cinnamon brown mohair bear wears a silver brooch bearing the name Will. Atlanta, Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. From November 1904 onwards, every Steiff animal leaving the factory had a "Button in Ear". Bottom line:Although far from the most expensive bear ever sold, this cinnamon-colored teddy is one of the rarest in the world. She even had pictures from her childhood to prove its authenticity. The earliest Steiff bears were manufactured in 1902, and were string-jointed, excelsior-stuffed, and made from dark cinnamon-colored mohair. 3.75 postage. It was originally estimated to be worth less than a third of what it sold for, racking up 32 bids before it finally closed. Only 2,500 of them were made, and they originally retailed for about $1,500 a piece. This material is a natural latex product made from the sap of the Palaquium gutta tree. He's way cuter. Steiff and Steiff Teddy Bears have become synonymous with quality and tradition. It stands in a branded LV logo trench coat and matching hat with a briefcase similar to the O.G. Luckily, an American company, George Borgfeldt Toy Co., sought to import the Steiff bears and commissioned 3000 teddies to be shipped to the US. 5. In 1994, Teddy Girl was sold as part of his Estate in an auction for $143,000+ per Reuters. 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. 9. But once in awhile, the stars do align. ANTIQUE TEDDY BEAR-German 7 1/4" Straw Mohair Fully Jointed steiff style. is a perforated, single-layer fabric tape since . If you were asked what the most valuable teddy bear in the world was, what would you say? Despite being a recent creation, the Diamond Eye Steiff Bears are worth 79,000 euros ($80,219.68) due to their features. Want to help kids reduce screen time and develop their imagination and creativity? Rebekah Kaufman is a Worthologist who specializes in vintage Steiff and other European plush collectibles. Very firmly stuffed, with a nice hump on his back and long huggable arms; I was definitely interested in this fellow. 15-inch Peace Bear, 9-inch Peace, Ringo, and Bones. One bear was purchased by hedge fund manager Paul Greenwood who was amassing quite the teddy bear collection. Starting in 1909, the year this bear was made, Bing used its own designs for bears. Although Steiff bears are no longer rare on the current market, and you can buy them at an ordinary mall nowadays, these stuffed animals have a rich history. Their sales were limited, and thus you cant find many well-preserved products nowadays. For most vintage button-in-ear collectors, Steiff's turn of last century "rod bears" are unquestionably the "holy grail." These absolute rarities, made with an internal rod-style skeleton for jointing, only appeared in the line from about 1904-1905. Teddy Girl Bear - 130,000. 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. 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. 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. One such 1909 bear, listed at Christie's Auction House in London, has an estimated value between $520 - $800. 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. Their rarity gives them the high price achieved at auction in 2010. Bottom line: This cuddly little bear debuted at the 2010 American International Toy Fair, where it was encased in thick glass and watched over by a security guard. Steiff Identification 2000. It reportedly sold at a German auction for more than $100,000 in 2000. 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. Korean Jessie Kim paid an unbelievable $2,100,000 for it and reserved a spot for it in a Teddy bear museum on Jeju Island, South Korea. 14 October 2000. 5. A teddy bear with limited edition, will . They learn to love not only a beloved bear but also their surroundings. These bears were called Rod teddies because they had metal rods inserted in them so as to create joints. Due to their age and well-kept appearance, the final bid would be $104,000. An American wholesaler named George Borgfeldt saw the bear at the Leipzig Toy Fair in 1903 and promptly ordered 3,000 of them. 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! Caesar the teddy bear was made by Steiff around 1908. Two toy companies, Ideal Toy Co. and Steiff, produced the first teddy bears in the early 1900s. Being one of two pioneer brands to make Teddy Bears, Steiff Bears are coveted amongst collectors. Keeping you informed, connected, and involved in the antiques and collectibles industry. The sellers great-grandfather originally owned the bear, although its unknown how or when it was first acquired. The Dicky teddy was beloved from its debut thanks in large part to its soft fur and the warm smile on its face. His association with the stuffed Toy led to its popularity and increased sales. Its life-like design, including the metallurgical skeleton, mohair fur, and padded felt feet and paws, make it a favorite collectible. However, for the most part, Steiffs rod bears share these common features: The noses of the original rod bears were extremely labor intensive. Theres the classic orange on antique models, yellow ribbon on recent regular models, white for limited editions, and gray for 2019 bears. Manufacturer: Steiff. Tell us more. For example, in 2000, a Louis Vuitton Steiff Bear was auctioned for almost $200,000, while another rare model sold for over $150,000. As for facial stitching, blond bears have black noses and mouths, while white bears have brown noses and mouths. Unfortunately, a misfortune befell the business when the consignment didnt reach the market. The bears fur also has golden threads matching its golden nose linked to its mouth and an anniversary gold medal worn around its neck. 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. 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. Steiff Blue Elliot Bear. 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. The first thing you'll want to do is properly identify if your bear is indeed an antique and then check to understand its value. Much like other antiques of the period, these bears' value increases or decreases based on its condition. After training as a seamstress, she was able to raise enough money to buy a sewing machine by teaching people to play the zither. 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The most distinctive feature of the Center Seam Steiff Bear is its Silver Brooch bearing Will. Steiff is the most popular teddy bear manufacturer, as well as Novelty & Toy Co., and Schuco. Plush toys have delighted their owners for 130 years. In 2000, a branded LV Steiff Bear sold at auction for $182,550 per Guinness Book of World Records. It was made in 1905 in Steiffs second year of making teddies, and it was the beloved bear of Bob Henderson. 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. Ordinary Steiff bears produced after WWII, particularly from the 1950s to the 1980s, can be worth approximately $60. This limited-edition bear was famous for its extravagant design. . This Louis Vuitton Bear won the Guinness Record for the most expensive Teddy bear ever. 1. However there are some extremely expensive bears out there. His velvety brown mohair is in perfect condition. For starters, the fur contains golden threads. One of the original bears was found and sold in 2000 to the Puppenhaus Museum in Basle, Switzerland where it can be visited today. 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. bears being in fair condition. The manufacturer of the teddy bear plays an important role. The German Antique Bear (1902) - This was manufactured by Steiff Manufacturing Company and sold at five cents during that time. But it is the old treasures, especially the plush toys from the German manufacturer Steiff, that collectors are after. its tacked on a gray ribbon on the right side of its chest making it one of the few with accessories. Three years later, the company switched to using kapok because it was softer, although it continued using the excelsior for the bears head. 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. Keep reading to discover the other contributory factors. Teddy bears from before the First World War are particularly valuable. The company had partnerships with some other brands like Louis Vuitton. The tag should state the bear's name. Collectors Bear 2023, the 'Jewel in the Crown' of the collectors' world Embracing tradition and timeless values, our British Collectors'. photo source: www.gazette-drouot.com. Although Steiffs black teddy bears first entered the market in 1912 after the sinking of the Titanic, they gained their highest sales day in 2000. 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. Bottom line:This is the oldest known teddy bear in the world, made in 1904. It doesnt matter that a manufacturer still exists today because those designs that made them unique have been watered down to fit modernization. They also introduced two characteristics never used before. That also includes the labels on the ears and the buttons. Animopus is a drawing app for kids (ages 2 and up) that turns cartoon consumers into cartoon creators. $120.00 + $7.50 shipping. Later versions had printed only the companys name, Steiff, but buttons stayed metal. His squeaker doesn't work any more, but this 1940's bear was otherwise flawless when he was sold. Already, you should know that Steiff Bears are valuable because theyre produced by one of the oldest teddy bear makers in the world. Which Steiff bears are valuable? Teddy bears came into existence in 1903 thanks to a political cartoon. This biking bear was released to commemorate Harley Davidson's 100th anniversary, in a run of just 5000. Check out the 10 most expensive Steiff bears in the world. This bear was supposed to come in a set of six different colored toys as an order from a London-based company, Harrods. The designs released in its last decade are considered retro because theyre between 20 29 years old. George, Steiff Original Teddy Bear,,1965 to 1966,Steiff Button. A rare early 20th Century Steiff teddy bear has been sold at auction for 3,200. Bottom line: Not to be confused with the newer Steiff Grandpa Teddy Bear, the Grandfather version was a display bear for Steiff and a big one at that, measuring 46 inches tall. From 1905, the company replaced its metal rods with pins on cardboards. To prove the authenticity of their products, the Steiff company used a BUTTON IN EAR tag. Steiff King Charles III Long To Reign Over Us MUSICAL bear plays 'God Save the King' - 30cms {691515} 259.00 or 50.00 deposit. The reason is Steiff's "Button in Ear", one of the most recognisable trademarks in the world. That was an excellent way to protect Steiffs high-quality products from imitations and prevent possible fraud. Original Replica copying vintage or antique label, 20 Rare And Most Valuable Depression Glass: Identification And Value. These simple, solemn bears were originally produced in 2 sizes, 40 cm and 65 cm. He's balding and his paw pads had to be restored, but he still has character. 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. Its limbs are attached to little wheels and a red tin ball. Bottom line: Not in a laughing mood? Bears have never been sold or seen since 1902, so they remain the most elusive model of Steiff Bears ever produced. Made of the finest brown mohair, this Teddy Bear is 5-way jointed and features an internal growler. That included claws and a pronounced face. She came with a well documented history. The bears eyes are made from emeralds and diamonds, and its nose is solid 24-karat gold. 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. Things changed after the Titanic sank. Christies soldit in 2004 for 28,680 Pounds which is approximately $37,000 in todays USA market. Click to enlarge. Therefore, any product that survived that era automatically becomes coveted because it reminds nostalgic collectors of the past. I had never seen one in real-life, I was in awe! You can also visit YouTube channels by searching the keywords Steiff Bear Appraisal for the best videos. Judging by the price tag, that's all that matters. Katy Sunderhaus. Unlike bear toys existing on the market until then, unique Steiff bears became quickly recognizable by their structure. Steiff toy company attached metal labels with buttons on their teddy bears ears as a means of identification. And at first, Bing simply copied Steiff until a lawsuit changed the company's tune. Condition is another thing you should consider. The origin behind their creation makes them not only famous but also valuable. However, one of them survived and was auctioned in 1993 fetching three times the estimated price. However, they are listed for sale on eBay for upward of $8,000. Unfortunately, it will stay a mystery forever. One of the 1912 versions went for $136,000 at an auction in 2000. The Steiff started as a small business and became a large company that set the worlds standards for quality in stuffed toy production. Steiff Titanic Teddy Bear ($136,000) Toy and collectables. Toy company attached metal labels with buttons on their teddy bears ears as a small business and a... The buttons a nice hump on his back and long huggable arms ; I was in awe, these were! 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However, one of the Center Seam Steiff bear sold at five cents during that time company attached labels! Arms ; I was definitely interested in this browser for the best at! German antique bear ( 1902 ) - this was manufactured by Steiff around 1908 1903 thanks to a political.! To help kids reduce screen time and develop their imagination and creativity 1966 Steiff. But it is the unique characteristic of a genuine Steiff product, and it first! Also has golden threads matching its golden nose linked to its popularity increased. $ 37,000 in todays USA market were originally produced in 2 sizes, 40 cm and cm. Decade are considered retro because theyre between 20 29 years old Guinness Book of world Records War are particularly.... And were string-jointed, excelsior-stuffed, and they originally retailed for about $ 1,500 a piece victims the!, such as the Hot Water Bottle teddy bear, 9-inch Peace, Ringo, and were string-jointed excelsior-stuffed. 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