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:

Build a Bear

	Build A Bear Talking Mumble from Happy Feet includes outfit	1	$15.99	21m
	Build a Bear Workshop TOPAZ JEWEL YELLOW TEDDY Stuffed PLUSH ANIMAL Pink Dress		$14.39	23m
	Build a Bear Workshop TABBY MEOW ORANGE STRIPED CAT Stuffed Plush Animal		$14.39	25m
	Build A Bear Plush GRAY CAT whiskers pink ears and nose kitty BAB 17"		$21.99	25m
	Build a Bear Powder Baby Blue Snowflake Teddy Bear		$14.99	26m
	BUILD A BEAR LIMITED EDITION 2007 15" ORANGE AUTUMN BEAR RETIRED WITH PIN	-	$19.00	31m
	Build a bear workshop	-	$6.00	32m
	Authentic Disney Winnie The Pooh Build A Bear	-	$9.99	34m
	Build a bear workshop pins	-	$12.00	38m
	Build A Bear Workshop BABW White & Silver Elvis Presley Outfit Costume Fringe		$18.00	38m
	17" Plush Brown Build A Bear Chritmas Moose - New		$17.95	40m
	Lot of 3 Build A Bear clothes	5	$15.50	44m
	Build a Bear Workshop BABW 17" Tan Bunny Rabbit Plush Toy	1	$2.99	47m
	Build a Bear Workshop BABW 19" Tan Bunny Rabbit Plush Toy	-	$2.99 $9.99	49m
	Build A Bear 18 Inch Light Up Frosty The Snowman Plush		$19.95	52m
	Build A Bear Workshop Retired Floppy Bunny Rabbit lil		$10.00	1h
	Build A Bear Party Outfit New Red Black Skirt Top NWT		$12.99	1h 2m
	(2) WWF Build-A-Bears	-	$15.98	1h 2m
	RAINBOW Build a Bear		$30.00	1h 2m
	BUILD a BEAR Workshop 17" Plush Bear w Heart Pink & Peach Toy	-	$4.99 $14.99	1h 3m
	SHAMROCK Build a Bear		$30.00	1h 4m
	BUILD A BEAR 21" BIG BIRD LIMITED EDITION SESAME STREET FROM 2006	-	$19.00	1h 6m
	BABW Build A Bear Dog Pet Carrier Tote Backpack		$10.50	1h 6m
	6" LITTLE PUPPY DOG BROWN Lovey BUILD A BEAR Plush Stuffed Animal MINI		$12.97	1h 7m
	BUILD A BEAR SHOES FLIP FLOPS SEQUINS PINK		$5.99	1h 8m
	BUILD A BEAR ENCHANTED DRAGON KNIGHTS COSTUME CASTLE ROAR SET NWT AWESOME!!!		$99.99	1h 11m
	BUILD A BEAR WORKSHOP LOT KOALA BEAR + TWO NEW OUTFITS and HANGERS (boy lot)	-	$19.99	1h 16m
	Mother and puppy Build a Bear Beagle set	-	$40.00 $60.00	1h 19m
	BUILD A BEAR ENDLESS HUGS SMALLFRY		$19.99	1h 33m
	Build A Bear Clothes Cute Jean	-	$3.99 $10.99	1h 47m
	Small Hasbro Build A Bear White Polar Bear w Clothing		$19.99	1h 47m
	New Baby Girl Pink Outfit For Build A Stuffed Bear		$9.99	1h 48m
	Huge lot of build a bear clothes, accessories and bears	4	$21.49	1h 50m
	Build a Bear Workshop Lot of 3 bears 1 tennis outfit.		$33.71	2h
	2011 Chicago Cubs Limited Edition Build a Bear	-	$35.00 $40.00	2h 2m
	BUILD A BEAR LIMITED TOO TEE TWOFER MONKEY DENIM SKIRT		$14.99	2h 3m