Table of Contents
- 1 How can you tell the age of a Steiff bear?
- 2 Do Steiff bears increase value?
- 3 How can you tell if a dog is a Steiff?
- 4 How much are old Steiff bears worth?
- 5 How old is a vintage teddy bear?
- 6 Are Steiff bears still made in Germany?
- 7 When did the first Steiff teddy bear come out?
- 8 Is the Steiff teddy bear machine washable?
How can you tell the age of a Steiff bear?
Look for the metal button that is pegged into the left ear of each Steiff bear. Steiff began inserting these buttons in 1904. 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.
Which Steiff bears are valuable?
Most Valuable Teddy Bears in the World
- Steiff and Louis Vuitton Bear. Sold: 2000.
- Steiff Bear ‘Teddy Girl’ Sold: 1994.
- Steiff Titanic Mourning Bear. Sold: 2000.
- Steiff Teddy Bear. Sold: 2000.
- Steiff Happy Anniversary Teddy Bear. Sold: 1989.
- Steiff Diamond Eyes Bear. Sold: 2008.
- Steiff Harlequin Teddy Bear.
- Steiff Elliot Teddy Bear.
Do Steiff bears increase value?
Although Steiff bears are the most valuable to collectors, those made by the English firms of Chad Valley, Chiltern, Dean’s, JK Farnell and Merrythought fetch good prices. Even modern copies of old bears rapidly increase in value.
Where does a Steiff teddy bear have its tag of authenticity?
All Steiff replicas have a white ear tag with black writing to document their special status, and the true to original Button in Ear from the respective year of production. This proved that the Teddy Bear is a particularly limited edition with an extraordinary historic character.
How can you tell if a dog is a Steiff?
Overall, the presence – or absence – of a tongue on Arco is one of the key clues collectors use to date Steiff’s German Shepherds! Those produced before 1957 did not have tongues while those produced from 1957 onward did.
How do Steiff bears date?
Steiff generally used black shoe-button eyes on its bears through the early 19-teens. Brown and black glass pupil eyes appeared on some models as early as 1908 or 1909; they became standard around 1913. The earliest Steiff bears had five claws on each of their felt paws; from 1906 onward most had four per paw.
How much are old Steiff bears worth?
Collectible Teddy Bears’ Value A Steiff teddy bear of excellent condition from the same era may go for up to $500 per inch of bear, with some twenty-inch bears selling for around $10,000 at auction. Original 1904 Steiff Bear 28 PBs can sell for up to $40,000.
How do you authenticate a Steiff 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 old is a vintage teddy bear?
Most antique collectibles are defined as 100 years old or more; for teddy bears, however, anything dated on or before 1940 is an antique.
How do you date a Steiff?
Are Steiff bears still made in Germany?
Manufacturing is still done by hand in Steiff’s 100-year-old factory in Giengen, Germany. Steiff is recognized worldwide for their quality stuffed animals. The value of their stuffed animals and teddy bears increase as they age and continue to fetch top dollar on the auction market.
How much does a Steiff 20 ” bear cost?
Steiff 20″. Bear With Bow Morphy Auctions. This bear is its original underscored ear button, shoe button eyes, stitched nose, mouth, and claws, and felt paw pads. The condition is very good with some mohair loss and old felt nose patch. Selling price: $4,312.50 (Morphy Auctions, 5/08) Continue to 13 of 17 below.
When did the first Steiff teddy bear come out?
Nothing is more exciting for a Teddy Bear enthusiast than discovering or owning an early Steiff (button-in-ear) brand cub. Steiff launched its charter catalog of playthings in 1892, but it was not until around 1902 that the “modern” five-ways-jointed Teddy Bear as we know it was introduced; he was string jointed.
Is the Steiff bear missing its ear button?
This jointed 9″ dog has short mohair coat and shoe button eyes, stitched nose, mouth, and claws. The condition is very good even though it is missing its Steiff ear button. This patriotic bear has shoe button eyes, tan stitched nose, mouth, and claws, felt paw pads, and original blank button.
Is the Steiff teddy bear machine washable?
Whether young or young-at-heart, there is a Steiff Teddy for everyone. We invented this classic toy nearly 120 years ago. Generations later, our famous quality Teddies with the legendary “Button in Ear” are as treasured as ever. There are cute-and-cuddly bears for children, and soft-and-sweet bruins for babies. All are fully machine washable.