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. DECORATIVE HOUSE LOT. You mustve skipped the section above. So it sat untouched in storage for decades, which is why it was in such good shape at the time of the auction. Watch Rebekah Kaufman below as she unboxes this fabulous rod bear! . Teddy bears originated in 1903 and can be worth a lot of money today. The couple said Happy was their most popular bear. While there are replicas of this 1926 bear out there, don't be fooled for the real thing. They have very long arms with distinctly curved paws. Both new and established collectors appreciate the fine craftsmanship and innovative design of Steiff premium bears. . One of the primary defining features of the Steiff Teddy Bear is its upright sitting structure, and this was only made possible by using metal rods. 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. DW staff (kjb) 07/02/2008. 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. It had diamond eyes, the nose made of pure gold, while its magnificent fur contained golden threads. Steiff PB 28 Rod Bear - Super Rare. Visit our Friends Under $50 collection for affordable plush bears that make the Steiff magic attainable for all. 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. Keep in mind that there are several particular stuffed toys that bear both marks, making them rarities. Q: Which other antique teddy bear brands exist? Estimated at USD10,000 - $15,000, it realized $25,000. $30. They have simple, puppylike faces detailed with black boot button eyes and a basic hand embroidered mouth. Are Steiff bears numbered? Surprisingly, they were not her original design. If the entire body is crunchy, then it has excelsior stuffing, but if its only the head, then the body is stuffed with kapok. On a side note, Kim Kardashian bought one of these teddies for her third child for $170,000. 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. 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. Titanic Mourning Bear - 128,000. Insider reported that each bear had a $35,000 price when it entered the market, but it has doubled in todays market. As the oldest surviving model, its only normal that its monetary value is in a six-figure ballpark. However, teddy bears from the 1950s and 1960s, are also popular. They are solidly stuffed with excelsior and have football shaped bodies. That included claws and a pronounced face. One of the 1912 versions went for $136,000 at an auction in 2000. The Fur or Fabric Is a Clue to Age Measures 14 inches high. Unfortunately, you can do nothing about the missing Steiff companys trademark button. There are so many factors that contribute to the ultimate price of a Steiff Bear. 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. However, hiring an accredited appraiser is best to make double assurance. 10. Its limbs are attached to little wheels and a red tin ball. Collectors Bear 2023, the 'Jewel in the Crown' of the collectors' world Embracing tradition and timeless values, our British Collectors'. He had a wonderful expression on his face, with his original boot-button eyes and funny black nose! Bottom line: This rare teddy bear isn't the only clockwork bear on this list, but it's probably the coolest. . $120.00 + $7.50 shipping. Today, its valued at $40,000 by most publications including Peeps Burgh. These bears never caught on as well as Steiff had hoped, therefore not many were produced around 1910. Ordinary Steiff bears produced after WWII, particularly from the 1950s to the 1980s, can be worth approximately $60. 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. The German toymaker used mohair textile to cloth the filling because it felt like a real-life bears fur. Add to Cart Compare. 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. Steiff's diamond eye teddy bear - $84,000 8. 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. It is known that two of them exist these days. (142) $145.00. Want to know what makes some bears so pricey? Plush toys have delighted their owners for 130 years. Want to help kids reduce screen time and develop their imagination and creativity? $425 Sale Price 65% Off . Blue Elliot Bear - 58,000. Bottom line: Unlike many rare teddy bears, this vintage Steiff is in exceptionally fine condition. Georgia 30328 | 877.481.5750, Rebekah Kaufman is a Worthologist who specializes in vintage Steiff and other European plush collectibles. 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. Bottom line: This Bruin Steiff teddy bear is a few decades younger than most of the rare teddy bears here, and it shows. Bottom line:Although far from the most expensive bear ever sold, this cinnamon-colored teddy is one of the rarest in the world. Manufacturer: Steiff. Be aware that it is possible to repair a damaged Steiff bear, and you can sew on its eye or patch tears. Rebekah Kaufman is a Worthologist who specializes in vintage Steiff and other European plush collectibles. 6. These bears were called Rod teddies because they had metal rods inserted in them so as to create joints. You are currently using an outdated browser. Hed owned the stuffed Toy from his birth in 1909 until his dying breath in 1990. #7. Bottom line: If you've heard of Omega Toys, you're probably not a zoomer or millennial. Its life-like design, including the metallurgical skeleton, mohair fur, and padded felt feet and paws, make it a favorite collectible. He thought that such a dark toy might scare children. It had 21 bids and 49 watchers. 2. Check out the 10 most expensive Steiff bears in the world. These simple, solemn bears were originally produced in 2 sizes, 40 cm and 65 cm. Therefore, any product that survived that era automatically becomes coveted because it reminds nostalgic collectors of the past. Later versions had printed only the companys name, Steiff, but buttons stayed metal. Only 500 were made at the time, and they were obviously ultra-exclusive. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your WorthPoint Account is Suspended: Please update your billing information in. Apart from the stuffing, the outer material is the easiest way to identify a Steiff Bear. Thank you for sharing this collectors dream story with us. From 1905, the company replaced its metal rods with pins on cardboards. Paul Volpp bought one for $55,000 at auction in 1989. Happy Teddy Bear - 120,000This vintage bear from 1926 sold for an impressive price at the very same Steiff Festival in 2002. Check the table abovefor more dates and models. The Steiff Hot Water Bottle bearis a sitting stuffed toy that holds a detachable small water bottle in its chest. Rarity. It was bought by Paul Volpp as a 42nd anniversary gift for his wife Rosemary. However, the Guinness Book of World Records confirms the bear sold for $182,550, which was closer to other sources we found. Gifting a Teddy bear is a blessing for a child and a symbol of compassion and love. It is now a symbol for top-notch products like no other similar company has achieved to date. Disqus. After her nephew, Richard Steiff, created these lovely stuffed animals, the company got a chance to develop and expand. It was sold in 2002 in Germany. However, to recap, there are certain factors and criteria your bear must fulfill, including age, condition, brand, historical significance, and rarity. The bear on this list had its original hot water bottle (Cannister) in a neat carrier hence its high value. Steiff also made five other colorful bears and sent them all to Harrods in London. VINTAGE STEIFF GRISSY DONKEY 3605/20 TEDDY BEAR OLD LABEL EAR BUTTON RARE. 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. Its a discontinued model from 1907 1914 due to its marketing failure, but today, being a rare find, its worth over $40,000. One bear was purchased by hedge fund manager Paul Greenwood who was amassing quite the teddy bear collection. 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. This Teddy bear type first appeared in 1925. Steiff is recognized worldwide for their quality stuffed animals. Do you happen to own any that could be sold for a pretty penny? Lastly, you can always turn to eBay's teddy bear collectors and hobbyists page to see what price other sellers are asking. NRFP Steiff Classic Replica 1907 Large Mohair Teddy Bear in Sweater Outfit . This very chunky-clunky toddler had black shoe-button eyes but did not have any Steiff ID. Bruin Steiff Teddy Bear. PETAdescribes Mohair as a long, smooth fiber, while Plush is made of synthetic fibers like Polyester. She was given to Bob Henderson as a gift when he was born. Steiff Titanic Mourning Bear - $ 136,000 5. Perhaps you're inspired to sell an antique treasure like the bears listed here. 1 bid. The Steiff "Button in Ear" tag. You could guess whether it was a gift for someone named Will or William, or the bears name is Will. guarantees compliance with the European toy safety guidelines. If you dont know when your toy was created, the button will solve the mystery. Every month, we auction Steiff bears and other animals in our Doll and Bear auction. Monaco (Christie's) When. More than a hundred years after the first Teddy bear occurred on the market, collectors enjoy buying old ones. Steiff toy company attached metal labels with buttons on their teddy bears ears as a means of identification. In 1902, German toymaker Margarete Steiff launched the teddy bears under her toy making company, Steiff. Alternatively, you can decipher the age through its model, like how 28 P.B. She worked at Steiffs for more than forty years and got this toy in honor of her service and loyalty. Dedicated collectors are prepared to pay a fortune for one of these pieces. He served as a colonel in the British army during WWII and fought with Teddy Girl by his side. Knowing how to assess a Steiff Bear at face value is a great asset, and youve built that with this guide. Trading antique and vintage items are different from regular modern products because of acquired tastes. Only 125 toys were manufactured in 2008, symbolizing the companys 125th anniversary. The company intended to compete with the established Ideal Toys Teddy bears but failed in this plan. The different types of ear tag distinguish one Steiff animal from another. The company had partnerships with some other brands like Louis Vuitton. 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's turn of last century rod bears are unquestionably the "holy grail" for Steiff collectors. The 114-year-old, German-made toy had attracted interest in bidders from the USA and France. Its estimated value is $85,000 on the current market. Share the joy of squishy hugs from Steiff stuffed bears with the kids in your life. View All Steiff limited edition teddy bears. In 2010 he was convicted of fraud and all of his bears were sold at auction. Worthpoint: Yes, that is amazing, and I am sure anyone reading your story can relate. Interestingly, Franz Steiff also added an elephant print on the buttons surface in early design versions produced in 1904. 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 . It was made in 1905 in Steiffs second year of making teddies, and it was the beloved bear of Bob Henderson. Steiff's idea for the bear came from his drawings of the animals at the Stuttgart Zoo. 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. If only people aged as well as teddy bears. Unfortunately, its uncharacteristic to rip open a stuffed toy when assessing its content, so youll have to rely on tactile abilities. Teddy bears came into existence in 1903 thanks to a political cartoon. That apparently sent the price skyrocketing, with at least one confirmed purchase of a set of three bears on eBay for $50,000. 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. Harlequin Bear - $74,201 9. At the time, the bear was the most expensive teddy purchase ever made. One of the original bears was found and sold in 2000 to the Puppenhaus Museum in Basle, Switzerland where it can be visited today. 8. All Steiff Bears made between 1902 -1922 are antique models, while those made between 1923 1972 are vintage. The following luxurious and extremely rare teddy bears are the five most expensive in the world. Sign up for her Steiff newsletter by contacting her directly at steifflife@gmail.com. Also note that the seller now wants more than $700,000 for their last remaining set of three. 14 October 2000. At the time, it was a way for parents to make sure their child was prepared at all times in case of an air raid. Browse Similar. Year: 1904. This lovely stuffed toy had movable arms and legs, and it was the first one with such features worldwide. If youre wondering, 55 P.B. Q: How can you tell what year a Steiff bear is? Bottom line:The Princess Diana teddy is something of a legend among collectors. Unbelievable! In 1906, the company created bears with four claws per paw, making their product recognizable until now. 1950s 24" Steiff Original Bear - Rare Vintage Teddy Bear with Tags and Button in Ear. Check out the 10 most expensive Steiff bears in the world. Blue Elliot fetched a $64,200 price. They have been cleverly pleasing both adults and children alike for over 130 years. Late British Colonel Bob Henderson was famous for carrying his Steiff Teddy Girl beareverywhere during his service. That 2002 sale was the first time the bears made it to the commercial space in decades. But once in awhile, the stars do align. The Steiff companys motto ONLY THE BEST IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR CHILDREN became widely recognizable. 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. For most vintage button-in-ear collectors, Steiffs 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. Steiff and Steiff Teddy Bears have become synonymous with quality and tradition. comments powered by For example, in 2000, a Louis Vuitton Steiff Bear was auctioned for almost $200,000, while another rare model sold for over $150,000. 5. Price: Bottom line: This Bruin Steiff teddy bear is a few decades younger than most of the rare teddy bears here, and it shows. On the other hand, customers didnt warmly welcome some models, such as the Hot Water Bottle Teddy bear. Plus, childrens attachment to lovely stuffed toys shows their emotional maturity. Louis Vuitton Bear Vintage Steiff Bears Identification What should I look for in a Steiff bear? Katy Sunderhaus. its tacked on a gray ribbon on the right side of its chest making it one of the few with accessories. PB28 Rod Bear - 97,000This may be the oldest Steiff bear that has come onto the market. Already, you should know that Steiff Bears are valuable because theyre produced by one of the oldest teddy bear makers in the world. But things get even better! The bears fur also has golden threads matching its golden nose linked to its mouth and an anniversary gold medal worn around its neck. While not all teddy bears are as valuable as the ones on this list, the popular stuffed animal has certainly stood the test of time and continues to be passed down from generation to generation. Steiff bear values have remained steady throughout the years, and bears that are in good condition can sell for hundreds of dollars. Now you can pay her a visit at the teddy bear museum in JeJu, South Korea. Here are some great tips on how to do that from Totally Teddy Bears. Teddy bears made by one of these companies will have the highest price. Bottom line: This rare Steiff Record Teddy riding an antique metal framed cart was produced around 1915. You can follow her blog, which focuses on vintage Steiff finds, Steiff antiquing and travel adventures, international Steiff happenings, and the legacy and history of the Steiff company at http://mysteifflife.blogspot.com. We recently met a collector who found one in the most exciting way possible. And, even the more common Steiff bears have regularly commanded several hundreds to several thousands of dollars on the resale market. Companys motto only the companys name, Steiff got a chance to develop expand! 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