The Antique Bear Collector

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

CUTE RARE ANTIQUE CHAD VALLEY BONZO DOG eBay Watchers: 104 Price: $323.9

Antique Vtg French Bulldog Steiff Like Soft Toy 1920s Chum For You Bears eBay Watchers: 72 Price: $79.0

Antique 1952/53 Mohair Steiff Bear Original! Clean! No Reserve! eBay Watchers: 69 Price: $390.0

Antique Vtg Well Loved Merrythought bear, 1930s , "Captain Marmaduke" eBay Watchers: 67 Price: $56.88

RARE CHOCOLATE BROWN CURLY MOHAIR CHAD VALLEY "GRUNTER" TEDDY BEAR c1915 eBay Watchers: 65 Price: $491.38

APPEALING MINIATURE WHITE MOHAIR STEIFF TEDDY BEAR c1910 MUST SEE! eBay Watchers: 64 Price: $137.46

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:

	Black Sweater Bear by Artist		$65.00	3h 24m
	WILOUGHBY BY HONEY CUP BEARS, BARBARA'S ORIGINALS, USA - ARTIST BEAR - NEW		$118.50	3h 38m
	1989 BAER BEAR-BAER BEAR-STUFFED BEAR-VINTAGE BAER BEAR-TOY BEAR	-	$4.99	4h 9m
	RARE Carol Black Bearhearts Musical Sailor Twins Teddy Bear 1985 SIGNED Original	-	$50.00	4h 28m
	German Musical Bear Skier Plays " My Way "		$224.95	4h 56m
	German Musical Bear with Honey Pot		$224.95	4h 56m
	German Musical Bear Girl With Apple Basket		$299.95	5h 5m
	RW Bear	-	$285.00	5h 21m
	Jack a Teddystyle Bear Handcrafted by Janet Clark	-	$60.00 $100.00	7h 6m
	Cecil a Handcrafted Scottish Teddy Bear from Geraldine's of Edinburgh	-	$90.00 $125.00	7h 8m
	STEIFF 55 PB 1902 BEAR - MINT - NRFB		$495.00	8h 12m
	Sweet Indian Bear with Bear Cubs Stuffed Animal MINT ! ON SALE & FREE SHIPPING		$24.99	16h 57m
	CoCo Mero Smashing Little Mother Hubbard Mohair Artist Teddy Bear 10" OOAK 1998		$55.30	19h 25m
	ATHUR by Elkie Bears Elsie Renshaw Artist Teddy OOAK 10" Blonde Mohair		$44.24	19h 54m
	Gorgeous Minty Ochiltree Bears Teddy by Artist Sue Denton 28 cm 1990's		$47.40	20h 3m
	HAWAIIAN LTD TEDDY BEAR - HOKU LI ILI I - WITH PASSPORT		$24.99	21h 10m
	'Leo' Adorable 15" Theuermann Artist Teddy Bear from Austria		$60.04	21h 43m
	Ninette Gorgeous 11" Prem Bear Austrian Artist Teddy Bear L E with Growler		$28.44	21h 50m
	KIRCHDORF Emi Baer by Elfi Kern Wonderful Mohair Artist Teddy Bear 26cm		$50.56	22h 25m
	Open edition micro Miniature artist bear 3.5cm MADE TO ORDER ONLY		$39.48	23h 56m
	26� Handmade White Teddy Bear - Long and slender - red velvet bow tie	-	$9.99	1d 12m
	Karen's Treasures "Snowball" Karen Searl 16" Teddy Bear Hand Made		$110.00	1d 16m
	ARTIST TEDDY BEAR - BEST PLEASURE BY DORIS CADWALLADER		$21.99	1d 43m
	Miniature OOAK Collectable New Bear #1 from Tiny Teddies by Elke	1	$7.88	1d 1h 48m
	Miniature OOAK Collectable New Bear #2 from Tiny Teddies by Elke	-	$10.67	1d 1h 49m
	Stier Bears Artist 24" Teddy Bear by Kathleen Wallace		$299.00	1d 3h 6m
	Stier Bears Artist 12" Teddy Bear by Kathleen Wallace		$159.00	1d 4h 4m
	Susan McKay Bears of the Abbey Cute Puppy for BJD		$129.99	1d 5h 30m
	Orig Handmade by Karine Masterson "VICTORIAN BEAR"		$99.99	1d 6h 49m
	New Granddaughter Bean bag bear plush beanie baby type		$7.99	1d 8h
	Kama Valentine Teddy Bear of Love Mira Kaplan Healing Spirit Red		$28.00	1d 9h 31m
	ALISON MCKEE - ETEDDYS BEAR OOAK		$295.00	1d 9h 51m
	HUGE 24" WHITE MOHAIR ARTIST TEDDY BEAR ELKE KARAUS THIS IS ABOUT 25 YEARS OLD	-	$199.00	1d 10h 29m
	EFFANBEE BY BEAR ESSENTIALS - MOHAIR POLAR BEAR ~ KODIAK ~		$44.95	1d 11h 8m
	BEAVER VALLEY BEAR QUINCY KAYLEE NILAN - FINAL LISTING		$239.00	1d 11h 28m
	6" Jointed mohair teddy bear -Grey silver	-	$6.30 $12.62	1d 11h 57m