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:

Avon Bears

	Avon Plush Talking 12" Teddy Bear 100th Aniversary MWT Great For Valentine's Day	-	$9.99 $12.95	4h 41m
	Avon Canada Bear Jointed Girl English French Books		$98.00	5h 4m
	Avon Angel Stuffed Bear Pair c1998 ~ HTF ~ Valentine Teddy Bears ~Collectible	-	$59.95	7h 59m
	Avon Breast Cancer Crusade Bear - 2001	-	$6.99	19h 5m
	9" Avon Russ Berrie SAMMY SANTA Plush Bear 2001 NWT NEW		$4.99	1d 1h 5m
	Valentino the Love Bear New Avon Rare		$14.99	1d 1h 41m
	Avon Christmas Bensen Drummer Boy Teddy Bear Plush Stuffed Animal NIB Sealed		$12.99	1d 6h 19m
	Avon Speak To The Heart Red Plush Bear Stuffed Animal 2001 NIB Sealed 12"		$12.99	1d 6h 19m
	AVON ~~REMBRANDT THE BEAR~~1999		$5.99	1d 16h 47m
	Avon Record & Speak To The Heart Red Plush Bear Stuffed Animal 2001	-	$12.00 $14.00	1d 20h 42m
	AVON HOBBY BEAR ORN, -SEWING, GARDENING, & PHOTOGRAPHER-1996-NO BOX-FREE SHIP	-	$8.99	1d 21h 30m
	Avon Canada Breast Cancer Pink Ribbon Bear Rare HTF		$78.00	2d 1h 34m
	Avon Bear Hat Box Teddies Buttercup 12 Inch Wtags		$88.00	2d 1h 45m
	AVON HAT BOX TEDDIES BEAR STRAWBERRIE W TAGS 12" - AA		$59.99	2d 3h 13m
	Avon Speak To The Heart Red Velour Teddy Bear !!! Valentine !!! Records Message!	-	$7.99	2d 6h 48m
	Avon Breast Cancer Bear	-	$4.99	2d 7h 34m
	Singing Talking Animated ANGEL BEAR 9" Plush by AVON o0		$26.94	2d 9h 3m
	NIP Avon Cutie Bear Holiday Huggable For VALENTINE'S DAY 22" Stuffed Bear	-	$4.99 $9.99	3d 4h 29m
	Avon Breast Cancer Awareness Plush Teddy Bear 2001	-	$0.99	3d 19h 7m
	Vintage Avon Canada Bear Jointed Girl English French Books 11"	-	$10.82 $29.99	3d 21h 58m
	ANGEL BEAR WHITE PLUSH W RED SATIN ACCENTS GOLD WINGS		$9.99	3d 22h 39m
	WHITE POLAR BEAR W RED STOCKING CAP & SCARF		$9.99	3d 22h 39m
	Avon Teddy Bear		$10.00	3d 23h 46m
	Avon Canada 2004 Cancer Flame Foundation Bear		$75.00	4d 1h 20m
	Avon Breast Cancer Bear Tan 6" Pink Velour Top with Symbol Tag		$2.54	4d 4h 7m
	Avon Full of Beans Plush toy of Cody the red Bear February Birthstone on tag	-	$5.99 $6.99	4d 8h 2m
	SAMMY SANTA CHRISTMAS BEAR & ORNAMENT SET AVON		$19.99	4d 9h 31m
	Avon VALENTINE KISSES Girl Bear Plush - NIP Pink		$5.75	4d 10h 13m
	Vintage 77 Avon T-Shirt Stuffed Teddy Bear Doll Valentines Day Gift! Advertising		$34.99	5d 7h 55m
	Breast Cancer Awareness Bear--NIP by Avon	-	$5.50	5d 21h 50m
	Avon Beary Beautiful Beach Belle Plush Brown Bear NOS		$17.99	5d 22h 3m
	Build a Bear Ariel outfit EUC	-	$3.99	6d 6h 50m
	BREAST CANCER AWARENESS BEAR * 7 INCHES * tagged	-	$9.99 $10.99	6d 10h 2m
	AVON Musical Bear 'Signed Sealed Delivered I'm Yours'		$10.00	7d 1h 45m
	VINTAGE AVON PRODUCTS HAT BOX TEDDIES PLUSH TEDDY BEAR TOY LAVENDER BONNET & BOW		$19.51	8d 3h 28m
	Christmas Collectible Teddy Bear Avon Exclusive Hat Box Teddies Nicholas NIB		$49.99	8d 19h 23m