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How can you tell how old a Steiff bear is?
There are several features that help to determine the age of a vintage teddy.
- Can You Determine the Maker?
- The Fur or Fabric Is a Clue to Age.
- The Stuffing Says a Lot.
- Teddy Bears’ Shapes Change With the Times.
- A Teddy Bear’s Eyes Can Say a Lot About Its Age.
- An Older Teddy May Have a Distinctive Nose.
Do all Steiff have buttons?
From November 1904 onwards, every Steiff animal leaving the factory had a “Button in Ear”. The original button was made of metal, embossed with an elephant. Franz Steiff, another of Margarete’s nephews, came up with this idea to distinguish Steiff articles from imitation products.
Are Steiff toys worth anything?
Steiff produced these bears around 1907, but they never really caught on halting further production. Their rarity is has bumped up their worth, with one selling for 31,200 pounds or $40,358.82.
What does a Steiff button look like?
The elephant’s trunk is “S” shaped, for Steiff. From late 1905 through 1906, the button is blank. From 1906 through the mid 1930’s, the button has the word “Steiff” with the last “f” in “Steiff” trailing backwards to the letter “e” in “Steiff.” This is called the “long trailing f” button.
How do you measure a Steiff teddy bear?
Steiff’s bears from around 1905 through the mid-1920s had standard body measurements. The measurement from a bear’s chin to crotch was twice the measurement from the top of his head to his chin. His total height was five times the measurement of his footpad, from toe to heel.
How can you tell mohair?
The easiest way to distinguish real mohair from fake mohair is to fire the yarn and observe the fire remains. Real mohair become ashes after fired with smell of firing hair, while fake mohair become sticky black hardness and smells bad.
How do I identify a Steiff teddy bear?
When it comes to teddy bears, look for these tell tale signs of quality: swiveling head, plush and felt paws, eyes made of glass, joined legs and arms. Details on Steiff teddy bears–like the nose, mouth, and other small elements–are hand stitched with thread with care.
How do you date a Steiff bear?
Steiff bears from 1905 had blank buttons, and those from 1906 through the mid-1920s had buttons embossed with “Steiff,” with the vertical line of the second “f” turning into a tail that trailed back under the name, extending as far as the “e.” These “long trailing f” early examples also had white ear tags that changed …
What do you look for in a Steiff bear?
A nickel plated button with no raised lettering on it denotes one of the earliest Steiff bears. Look for either cloth ear tags or tags sewn into the seam in the chest area. Depending on the tag, look for printing that says such things as “Steiff original,” “Made in Germany” and “Made in US-Zone Germany.” Some tags will have model numbers.
Where can I find the value of a Steiff?
The values provided are for animals in a similar condition to the one shown in the photo. For the most up to date information on Steiff selling prices, be sure to check several online selling venues such as Ruby Lane, Morphy Auctions, and do completed item searches on eBay .
Over the years, the buttons have been made from a few different metals—brass, iron, nickel-plated and, for special limited edition bears, gold-plated. A nickel plated button with no raised lettering on it denotes one of the earliest Steiff bears.
How much does a new Steiff bear cost?
Brand new Steiff bears can range in price from £57 all the way up to £780 each. If you already own a Steiff bear, don’t display it in direct sunlight as this can fade the material and reduce the value of the bear as an antique. Be on guard for counterfeit Steiff bears.