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:

Artist Bears

	CHARLIE BEARS ETHAN LTD ED 219 OF 300	16	$58.44	15m
	Primitive handmade needlefelt teddy bear	-	$9.99	22m
	CHARLIE BEARS MELODY QVC SPECIAL	7	$23.70	24m
	Gorgeous One of A Kind Mohair Artist Teddy Bear by Daniela Melse Dany Bear	1	$269.99	27m
	9" Artist Teddy ROOSEVELT BEAR mohair cranberry Limited		$115.00	28m
	World of Miniature Bears #890A ANN - Raggedy Type Bear		$14.85	28m
	Bon Bon Bear 16" Fully Jointed, Hand Made, OOAK Bear, GORGEOUS, FREE Shipping		$25.00	30m
	Miniature bear with sofa 2.4" artist Junko Fujinami 2012	-	$39.00	32m
	World of Miniature Bears #889A ANDY - Raggedy Type Bear		$14.85	34m
	Artist OOAK Mini 2" SHEARED BEAVER Teddy Bear PINK "Lil' Lump" by Tammy	2	$290.00	38m
	World of Miniature Bears #890 ANN - Raggedy Type Bear		$25.20	39m
	Miniature gardening bear 2.8" artist Junko Fujinami 2012	-	$40.00	43m
	Valentines Day Bear Wearing Ugg Boots Sculpture	-	$20.00 $25.00	46m
	4-1 4" ~ Andrea ~ OOAK Artist Plush Bear Doll Little Bear by Ursula	-	$29.99	1h 5m
	9" Artist mohair Teddy ROOSEVELT BEAR cranberry Limited		$115.00	1h 10m
	Cape Cod Bear Made by Pat Pajor for Cape Cod Bears lite brown yellow		$19.99	1h 11m
	Miniature handmade MINI ARTIST TEDDY BEAR ooak DOLLS HOUSE TOY 1 12	4	$25.28	1h 12m
	Small Ferrari Vintage Teddy Bear		$39.04	1h 22m
	Artist mohair 9" Teddy ROOSEVELT BEAR cranberry Limited		$115.00	1h 34m
	15" Artist Bear, Hand Knitted Outfit, By Barbara King		$39.99	1h 35m
	World of Miniature Bears #671 Black 1.75" Dog Puppy Blackie		$9.90	1h 36m
	World of Miniature Bears - 2.5" Birthday Pin Bear JULY		$11.70	1h 43m
	18" Jointed "Becky" Bear Brown Collecton-Lovely Outfit		$21.99	1h 58m
	The Sweetest Tabby Kitten! Artist Jointed Mohair Bear Cat, OOAK by Elouise Bears	-	$71.10	1h 59m
	OOAK MY TEDDY TALES ARTIST BEAR ELEPHANT	-	$24.99	2h 5m
	Miniature Alpaca Mohair Artist Bear by Kathy Mullin Mulbeary's	1	$40.00	2h 8m
	Scottish Bear "Mac Trendy" Wellwood Weavers-Artist Ruth Dickinson-Collectible J	-	$24.99	2h 8m
	VALENTINO - OOAK ARTIST MINI MINK TEDDY BEAR by BARB TRI of DOODLEBEARY BEARS	-	$199.00	2h 9m
	One Of A Kind Hand Stitched Jointed Little Teddy Bear		$13.49	2h 18m
	TWO 14 INCH ARTIST BEARS BOY AND GIRL BY PAT MURPHY		$175.00	2h 19m
	Artist Handmade Jointed RED FUR Country Bear - Leather Pads plaid bow -Adorable!	-	$6.88	2h 25m
	Artist PANDA bear *PATTERN* ~Wedding Dreams~		$18.00	2h 32m
	Vintage 1950's Possibly Swiss Made 12" Mutzli Teddy Bear **CUTE**	-	$39.00	2h 36m
	ORIGINAL CROCHETED COLLECTIBLE BEAR -artist Miniature(Thread)Doll house-OOAK	8	$25.00	2h 38m
	DOLLHOUSE Miniature Christmas socks MICRO bear OOAK	-	$9.99 $19.99	2h 41m
	One of a Kind FINE 100% Baby ALPACA Fur Stuffed NEW Artist Teddy Bear	-	$39.99 $43.99	2h 42m