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:

Brass Button

	NWT~Brass Button Bear~Skiing Sports Bear "Ginger" w Stand~12in		$7.99	28m
	Brass Button Sports Bears Ginger Jump Ski 11" Tall		$12.06	1h 50m
	Lot of 5 Brass Button Bears! Unique bears. Adorable for a collection!	-	$9.99	5h 5m
	Brass Button Bear Collection - 15 bears	-	$100.00 $150.00	6h 48m
	BRASS BUTTON BEAR - TULLY- 1996 cute adult owned collector teddy bear in sweater	-	$6.97	6h 52m
	Brass Button Pickford Bears Sports Soccer " Jet "		$125.00	7h 4m
	PICKFORD BRASS BUTTON BEAR, “Mookie� 20th Century Collection, 1999	-	$6.00	19h 44m
	PICKFORD BEARS LTD CODY THE BRASS BUTTON BEAR COLLECTION; EUC		$12.99	21h 5m
	Brass Button Pickford Bears Dooley Serenity Bear 1996		$125.00	21h 28m
	SHERWOOD a Brass Button Bear #9982301 "jointed" no tag		$19.99	22h 51m
	10" Tango Brass Button Bear by Pickford Bear of Happiness		$16.96	1d 3h 11m
	Pickford Brass Button AUGIE Jointed Plush Bear NWT's		$14.95	1d 6h 33m
	Harper the Brass Button Bear of Health by Pickford Bears Inc. w Tags		$14.99	1d 6h 37m
	ALL STARS*BASEBALL BEAR+Hat, Ball, Glove+Shoe Plush TOY		$26.06	1d 8h 7m
	Brass Button Fully Jointed Cody Friendship Bear		$9.99	1d 15h 44m
	Brass Button Hockey Bear With Tags	-	$14.95 $17.95	1d 18h 26m
	ORIGINAL LARGE PLUSH BRASS BUTTON TEDDY BEAR HARPER		$14.99	1d 19h 17m
	Pickford Brass Button TANGO Sailor Bear NWT happiness		$7.99	1d 20h
	2004 Brass Button Bears Plush White Bear ~ Louise ~		$8.50	1d 21h 26m
	BRASS BUTTON BEAR COLLECTIBLE NWT GIFT BOY GIRL PLUSH TOY HOBBY STUFFED ANIMAL	-	$9.99	1d 21h 28m
	Brass Button Bears Legendary Collection " Cathy " Love		$125.00	1d 23h 41m
	Pickford Bears 1997 Brass Button Rosie Bear of Joy		$125.00	1d 23h 43m
	Pickford Brass Button Bear LUCY 1950's Hand Crafted		$125.00	1d 23h 43m
	Brass Button Pickford Bear Tango Bear of Happiness		$125.00	1d 23h 50m
	Brass Button Bears Legendary Collection Roscoe JOY		$125.00	1d 23h 50m
	Brass Button Bears Louise Serenity Legendary Collection		$125.00	2d 10m
	Brass Button Bears Thomas Wealth Bear Legendary Collec.		$125.00	2d 11m
	Brass Button Pickford Bears Opal Bear of Love 1996		$125.00	2d 14m
	Brass Button Pickford Bear Sherwood Long Life 1996 Rare		$125.00	2d 22m
	Brass Button Pickford Bears Vanessa Love Retired 2000		$125.00	2d 27m
	Brass Button Bear Cloe Power Bear Courage Pickford 2000		$125.00	2d 40m
	Brass Button Pickford Bears Augie Dog of Friendship		$125.00	2d 50m
	Brass Button Bears Walrus Iceberg Augies Talking Plush		$125.00	2d 1h 22m
	Brass Button Pickford Bears Taylor Happiness Bear 1996		$125.00	2d 1h 24m
	Brass Button Pickford Bears Cody Friendship Bear Canada		$125.00	2d 1h 24m
	Pickford Brass Button Bear, Mookie, 20th Century Collection, 1999, NWT		$14.97	2d 2h 15m