Beginning your Antique Bear Collection

Collecting antique and vintage teddy bears is a very enjoyable and popular hobby. Teddy Bears have a special appeal that takes us back to childhood days and early memories and the nostalgia and sentiments of a time gone by. However beyond the emotion appeal, a Bear collection is an investment and some knowledge is required so that you can invest prudently. There are lots of sources of information available on the subject of toy collecting for the novice and the experienced collector alike, and much is available freely online. ...contined below

eBay's Most Watched

So Beautiful! Antique White Mohair 21" Steiff Teddy Bear With Button NO RESERVE eBay Watchers: 61 Price: $1572.7965

Antique Vtg Unusual Chiltern Bear 1930s/1940s "Barnaby" eBay Watchers: 56 Price: $8.69385

Antique Steiff Mohair Teddy Bear eBay Watchers: 53 Price: $270.0

OLD VINTAGE ANTIQUE DISMAL DESMOND DALMATION DOG CELLULOID TAPE MEASURE C 1920 eBay Watchers: 52 Price: $25.2912

ANTIQUE TEDDY BEAR VERY OLD CHILTERN GIRL MOHAIR REXINE PADS 15" TALL eBay Watchers: 47 Price: $74.60904

ANTIQUE EDWARDIAN MOHAIR PLUSH SOFT TOY BUNNY RABBIT - FLOPPY EARS - GLASS EYES eBay Watchers: 44 Price: $33.1947

Many antique and vintage Bear collectors eventually focus on a particular make and era of bear, such as Vintage Steiff bears, or Schuco Yes-No Bears for example. If you are new to bear collecting then its a good idea to look at what others are collectiing at places such as online auctions sites, note the condition and level of interest and closing prices for items that appeal to you. and when its time for you to begin your collection, decide on our budget and then then aim for the best condition items that fit within your budget.

Values of toys are driven not only by the condition and rarity of the item but by demand. Book values of bears refer to near mint items, so consider them as a guideline only. Before you bid at an online auction be aware that values can fluctuate quite and bit over time so it a good idea to start off by watching bears that appeal to you on ebay and checking the closing prices for the completed auctions.

Following is a sample of Antique and Vintage Bears from eBay:

theantiquebearcollector.com

	VINTAGE GOLD TONE PLUSH TEDDY BEAR DOLL TOY	-	$25.00	30m
	BUILD A BEAR BATHING SUET DENIM SHORTS UNDER PANTS	-	$9.99	30m
	Builld A Bear beige plush bear in a pink dress with flower neckline	-	$7.99	31m
	ARTIST BEAR	-	$126.46	31m
	CARE BEARS BEDTIME MOON STAR BEAR KENNER 1983 VINTAGE BLUE GREEN PLUSH	-	$19.99	31m
	RARE NEW PLANET PLUSH PINK MOM BEAR 12944 OF 36, 000	-	$17.99	31m
	1983 Sleepy Time Care Bear Great condition	-	$9.99 $12.99	31m
	BOYDS BEARS U B Fuzzyfleece PLUSH Lamb FARM 552033	-	$22.98	31m
	Deb Canham--The Frog Princess Club Year 8 Piece MIB	-	$115.00	31m
	Boyds Bears Truly B. Mine Retired 2002 NWT Valentine's	-	$14.99	31m
	'Ri - Ben' by KIM ENDLICH - Friends 'Fur' Life Bears - Pattern	-	$15.02	32m
	"MISS AMERICA" TEDDY BEAR by JEE-BEE CREATIONS	-	$75.00	32m
	Collectible Mohair Bear Cookie's Critters Donna Nielsen 10" Tipped Mohair Bear	-	$75.00	32m
	K's Collection Ceramic Bride and Groom Bear Set	-	$0.99	32m
	EDWARD MOBLEY RUBBER BEAR YELLOW & WHITE HE SQUEAKS	-	$39.00	32m
	Russ Christmas 2007 Shelby Teddy Bear for Bombay Company (49309) NEW!	-	$24.99	32m
	Russ Winter White Chilly Teddy Bear Lying Down for Christmas NEW!	-	$16.99	32m
	ARTIST BEAR	-	$150.17	32m
	CARE BEARS PINK RAINBOW HAPPY BEAR KENNER 1983 VINTAGE PLUSH	-	$19.99	33m
	Boyd's Bears Plush Older Bear - ARLO - Natty in Hand Knit Sweater - MWT	-	$6.99	33m
	Cherished Teddies Dillon 2005 RETIRED NIB	-	$39.95	33m
	Huge Lot of Build A Bear Clothes - 8 Outfits - over 26 Pcs.	5	$20.00	33m
	Lands End Bearon Von Oops Gund 1997	-	$9.99	34m
	R JOHN WRIGHT TEDDY BEAR COLLECTOR CLUB EXCLUSIVE 1998 MIB	-	$350.00	34m
	MISS FU FU retired Ganz Cottage Collectibles teddy bear with feather boa	-	$64.99	34m
	STEIFF CLASSIC TEDDY BEAR Tag Number 005268	-	$155.98	34m
	USPS Postal Service White Teddy Bear Messenger of Love	-	$14.99	34m
	13" stuffed plush Care Bears Pink LOVE A LOT TALKING & SINGING Care Bear	-	$29.99	34m
	12" Eddie Bauer Teddy Bear With Ultrasuede Jacket NWT	-	$17.00	34m
	Boyd's Bears Plush - JONATHAN APPLESMITH - Adorable With Gingham Apple! - MWTS	-	$3.99	35m
	Vintage Care Bears Party Hat Lot 1989 MIP	-	$7.99	35m
	Exclusive The Bay Gund 17" Plush Bear W Tags HTF	-	$58.94	35m
	Boyd's Bears Plush Imaginative Bear - BUMBLE B. BUZZOFF - Adorable! - MWTS	-	$2.99	36m
	Sears paddington bear 9 inches tall, plush	-	$10.99	36m
	Cherished Teddies Newton Happy New Year	-	$8.99	36m
	BOYDS BEARS Lulu Fuzzyfleece PLUSH Lamb DAISY 552034	-	$21.98	37m