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:

Boyds Bear

	Lot of 17 Boyds Resin Bears Bunnys Moose 1993-1996 Retired and Limited Edition		$65.00	16m
	Boyds Bears Ethan with sweater		$5.99	17m
	GCC EXCL CHENILLE BOYDS BEARS~♥~SNUGGEMS B JOY~♥~MWTS		$26.39	18m
	Boyds Lovely Plush Bears--LAVENDER and JASMINE LeFleur		$55.00	20m
	Boyds Bears Plush Cheese N Crackers Mouse Bear*		$17.99	20m
	Collectible BOYDS Patriotic Flag Star Plush Teddy Bear		$18.99	26m
	Collectible Plush 6" BOYDS BEARS Heirloom DELLA MAE		$14.24	26m
	BOYDS BEARS PLUSH 6" WHITE F.O.B. CLOWN BEAR GADGET MWT		$7.50	29m
	BOYDS PLUSH CHRISTMAS SANTA CLAUS BEAR ST NIKLAS MWT		$14.95	29m
	boyds bear....so cute	-	$9.91	30m
	BOYDS BEARS PATRIOTIC TEDDY BEAR, DOLLY BEARAMERICAN		$15.49	31m
	Boyds Bear J.B. Bean & Associates - Burlington P. Beanster #510400-07	-	$10.00 $25.00	31m
	1997 Boyds Plush Bear Buffington Fitzbruin Sailor Dress		$14.99	31m
	1992 Boyds Plush Bear JEB Macdonald Green Jeans 912662		$24.99	32m
	Boyds Bears Matthew Bear		$15.99	32m
	Boyds Bear Artisan Series - Clara, a Country Bear	-	$10.00 $18.00	32m
	Boyds Bear Best Dressed Prissie Hopplebuns Easter Bunny #912082	-	$10.00 $20.00	33m
	Boyds Best Dressed Bear Orvis T. Fisher with Tad - Retired #904131	-	$10.00 $20.00	34m
	BOYD'S BEAR'S American Greeting "Momma McBear w little Tot' safe in Momma's arms		$9.99	35m
	BOYD'S BEARS Calorina Counting...Just the way I am NIB		$8.99	35m
	Boyds 7" Bear wearing peapod costume	1	$4.00	35m
	Boyds Best Dressed Head Bean * Cory Q. Starsley * poseable bear - NWT	-	$7.99	38m
	Ruby Christmas Ornament Bear Boyds Plush Toy Stuffed Animal Teddy Stocking BNWT		$10.50	40m
	BOYDS #1 MOM BEARS~♥~FELICITY N HUGS~♥~ MWTS		$17.59	41m
	Boyds Plush * Arthur Oscar * New Artist Bear Armacost		$31.45	41m
	Boyds Bears Katie		$8.99	43m
	Vintage Boyds Bear Jocelyn Bloomengrows c. 1999		$39.99	45m
	BOYDS BEAR BEARSTONE~✿~BAILEY.BEAR with SUITCASE~✿~MIB		$19.99	48m
	SET OF 5 -PRESIDENTIAL MOHAIR BEARS by "BOYD'S"	-	$74.99	56m
	Boyds Bears Chauncey		$4.99	57m
	Vintage Boyds Valentine Bear 5" Retired		$12.00	1h
	Boyds Bears & Friends The Adventures of Rudy Reduced price!!!!!	-	$4.99	1h 1m
	Boyds Bear in Bathing suit and Frog inner Tube. NEW!	-	$9.99	1h 2m
	Dinah Out Born To Shop Forced To Cook Boyds Bear Plush Toy Stuffed Animal BNWT		$15.00	1h 2m
	Boyds Bears & Friends Packy and Dermah Trunkspace Elephant Noah's Ark #2	4	$5.14	1h 9m
	Boyds Bears Lot 2 Eddie Bauer & Florimae Bearley 10" Toby Nominee T J's Best Dr.	1	$3.99	1h 10m