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:

Bearfoots

	BEARFOOTS "BEAR" BY MONTANA ARTIST JEFF FLEMMING	-	$10.99 $19.99	5h 42m
	RETIRED BIG SKY CARVERS BEARFOOTS CHRISTMAS NUTCRACKER BEAR BALLET 6 ORNAMENTS		$49.95	19h 18m
	FREE SHIP BIG SKY CARVERS BEARFOOTS BEARS SINGLE SWITCHPLATE COVER W LITTLE BEAR		$14.95	19h 20m
	FREE SHIPPING BEARFOOTS BEARS BIG SKY CARVERS BERRY BEAR EATING HUCKLEBERRIES		$34.50	19h 21m
	RETIRED NEW BIG SKY CARVERS BEARFOOTS BROWN GRIZZLY "BEAR RIVER" FLY FISHING		$49.95	19h 24m
	Large Size Bearfoots Bears Bearfoot Swing Figurine Mint	-	$19.99	1d 8h 45m
	FREE SHIP BIG SKY CARVERS BEARFOOTS GUITAR PLAYER BEAR COUNTRY WESTERN SINGER		$15.95	1d 19h 42m
	FREE SHIP RETIRED BIG SKY CARVERS BEARFOOTS BEARS CATCH OF THE DAY FISHING BEARS		$34.95	1d 19h 43m
	FREE SHIPPING NEW BIG SKY CARVERS BEARFOOTS BRUSHWERKS BEAR SALT & PEPPER SET		$24.95	1d 19h 47m
	Big Sky Carvers Bearfoots Bear - Yosemite-branded tent	16	$21.00	1d 21h 37m
	FREE SHIPPING NEW BIG SKY CARVERS BEARFOOTS BEARS & TREES VOTIVE CANDLE HOLDER		$14.95	2d 2h 55m
	FREE SHIP BIG SKY CARVERS BEARFOOTS BEAR HAP DANCING BEAR VOTIVE CANDLE HOLDER		$14.95	2d 3h
	FREE SHIP NEW RETIRED & RARE BIG SKY CARVERS BEARFOOTS ACCENT BEAR RUG "MATTY"		$44.95	2d 19h 44m
	FREE SHIPPING NEW BIG SKY CARVERS BEARFOOTS BEARS "OH I WISH" WISHING ON A STAR		$29.95	2d 19h 45m
	FREE SHIPPING RETIRED NEW BEARFOOTS CHRISTMAS "CHOIR OF BEARS" BIG SKY CARVERS		$39.95	2d 19h 49m
	FREE SHIP NEW BIG SKY CARVERS BEARFOOTS BEARS SITTING BEAR WINE STOPPER W CORK		$14.95	2d 19h 49m
	RETIRED BIG SKY CARVERS BEARFOOTS BEARS CHRISTMAS CHLOE WITH STORY BOOK		$29.95	2d 19h 49m
	NEW CHRISTMAS BIG SKY CARVERS BEARFOOTS BEARS SNOWSHOE MOM & BABY BEAR CUB		$24.95	2d 19h 49m
	FREE SHIPPING NEW BIG SKY CARVERS BEARFOOTS BEARS RECIPE CARD HOLDER W 25 CARDS		$26.95	2d 19h 50m
	NEW RETIRED BIG SKY CARVERS BEARFOOTS BEARS "SISTERS BEST FRIENDS" SISTER GIFT		$29.95	2d 19h 50m
	FREE SHIPPING NEW BIG SKY CARVERS BEARFOOTS "GOLF MINI BEAR" WITH GOLF CLUB		$13.95	2d 19h 51m
	FREE SHIPPING NEW BIG SKY CARVERS BEARFOOTS BEARS "COWBEAR" WESTERN COWBOY BEAR		$16.95	2d 19h 52m
	LAST ONE RETIRED BIG SKY CARVERS NEW BEARFOOTS PLUSH VALENTINE BEAR BE MY HONEY		$24.95	2d 21h 6m
	BIG SKY BEAR CARVING WITH FISH	1	$9.99	3d 23m
	BIG SKY BEAR CARVING FAT BEAR SITTING	3	$11.27	3d 25m
	Hawaiian Collectibles Passport Bearfoot Malia Bear NWT 7"		$20.00	3d 4h 12m
	BEARFOOTS BEARS RUDY JEFF FLEMING BIG SKY CARVERS		$24.99	3d 5h 52m
	Bearfoot Bear By Montana Artist Jeff Fleming number 092 bear stuck in tree stump	-	$14.99	3d 6h 27m
	BIG SKY BEAR 'BEAR FOOTS' BEARFOOTS LOT, PLUS BEAR FRAME	1	$9.99	3d 8h 45m
	BEARFOOTS BEARS ~ BEARFOOT SWING ~ DANCING BEARS		$25.00	3d 19h 16m
	FREE SHIPPING NEW BIG SKY CARVERS BEARFOOTS BEARS SALT & PEPPER SET		$24.95	3d 20h 7m
	FREE SHIPPING NEW RETIRED BIG SKY CARVERS BEARFOOTS JENNY BEAR LOOKING IN MIRROR		$34.95	3d 20h 19m
	FREE SHIPPING NEW BIG SKY CARVERS BEARFOOTS BEARS LIL HAP DANCING ON LOG		$14.95	3d 20h 21m
	FREE SHIPPING BIG SKY CARVERS BEARFOOTS BEARS DANCING BEAR TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER		$34.95	3d 20h 22m
	FREE SHIPPING NEW BIG SKY CARVERS BEARFOOTS BEARS MINI BEARS ON TEETER TOTTER		$14.95	3d 20h 22m
	FREE SHIPPING BIG SKY CARVERS BEARFOOTS BEARS DANCING BEAR RINSE CUP		$16.95	3d 20h 25m