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First Generation Steiff Teddies
When Margarete Steiff fashioned her soft toy on a manual sewing machine in 1880, she never anticipated that the appealing felt elephant would launch an international retail empire. Wheelchair-bound since childhood, the young German woman had developed fine sewing skills working at home, and when special orders started to come in from people wanting an elephant identical to the one she had made for a friend, the budding designer knew she was onto something. By 1892, her humble cottage industry, publicized only by word of mouth, had evolved into a full-fledged business. The uncompromising quality of Steiff toys has remained consistent for 108 years, with the most popular line perennially being the company’s bears.
The first Steiff bear is believed to be a string-jointed mohair example designed in 1902. The earliest Steiff bears to be issued in quantity were tan-colored and sold at the 1903 Leipzig Toy Fair. Probably a couple of thousand were produced. Next came the ‘rod bear, which was joined inside by metal rods. Produced in 16- and 20-inch sizes, it was made of tan or apricot mohair and had a sealing-wax nose. Fewer than 30 examples are thought to exist.
Since 1903 or 1904, all Steiff toys have sported a distinctive button applied to the left ear, with the earliest version being the tin elephant-design button, and the most recent being brass with Steiff incised in script lettering.
As with most collectibles, condition is of utmost importance. Negatives include moth holes, dry rot (material appears stiff), and excessive thinning of mohair. The Steiff button is a bonus, but if it’s a beautiful bear, it’s not essential to the value.
The first Steiff bear is believed to be a string-jointed mohair example designed in 1902. The earliest Steiff bears to be issued in quantity were tan-colored and sold at the 1903 Leipzig Toy Fair. Probably a couple of thousand were produced. Next came the ‘rod bear, which was joined inside by metal rods. Produced in 16- and 20-inch sizes, it was made of tan or apricot mohair and had a sealing-wax nose. Fewer than 30 examples are thought to exist.
Since 1903 or 1904, all Steiff toys have sported a distinctive button applied to the left ear, with the earliest version being the tin elephant-design button, and the most recent being brass with Steiff incised in script lettering.
As with most collectibles, condition is of utmost importance. Negatives include moth holes, dry rot (material appears stiff), and excessive thinning of mohair. The Steiff button is a bonus, but if it’s a beautiful bear, it’s not essential to the value.
Latest page update: made by kjacobso
, Jun 19 2007, 12:54 PM EDT
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