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:

Dayton Hudson

	RARE VINTAGE - 2 PAIRS OF HUDSON'S SANTA BEAR LADIES SLEEPWEAR THERMO LEGGING'S	-	$1.99	7h 9m
	2000 BRIDE & GROOM~DAYTON HUDSON~MARSHAL FIELDS~MR & MRS SANTA BEAR CUP~MUG~EUC		$14.91	7h 19m
	2002~DAYTON HUDSON~MARSHAL FIELDS SANTA BEAR GLASS CUP~MUG~EUC		$14.91	7h 19m
	Marshall Fields Chocolate Brown Bear 14" Jointed Arms & Legs		$24.99	9h 14m
	1999 Dayton Hudson Miss Santa Bear Princess MUST SEE	-	$9.99	10h 14m
	Retired HTF 1994 Dayton HELP ME GROW Bear 16" Curly Fur Weighted Bean Bag Plush		$29.99	23h 53m
	Vintage SANTABEAR 1987 Santa Bear Dayton Hudson's Macy's Pilot Aviator Goggles	-	$24.95 $29.95	1d 7h 29m
	Dexter - Bear Dog by Dayton Hudson - 20" - Plush - NEW		$9.99	1d 8h
	1987 Dayton Hudson's MS. MISS BEAR w tag Goes with Santabear Pilot	-	$4.99	1d 18h 18m
	1987 Dayton Hudson's Santabear MISS BEAR MB w original $30 Price Tag	-	$4.99	1d 18h 26m
	1987 3rd Dayton Hudson's Santabear Miss Bear 3-D Pinback Changes images!	-	$2.99	1d 19h 13m
	1987 Dayton Hudson's Santabear MISS BEAR MB w original $30 Price Tag intact	-	$4.99	1d 20h 12m
	1995 DAYTON HUDSON SANTABEAR Original CONSERVATION SANTA BEAR	-	$21.49	1d 20h 43m
	Dayton Hudson's 1987 Aviation Santa Bear	-	$15.00 $20.00	1d 20h 45m
	1989 SANTABEAR MUG Original Santa Bear DAYTON HUDSON Marshall's Macy's	-	$13.24	1d 21h 13m
	Santa Bear GROOM 2000 Welcome Light Santabear wedding Christmas Dayton Hudson	-	$9.95 $15.95	2d 3h 8m
	Santa Bear Bride 2000 Welcome Light Santabear wedding Dayton Hudson Christmas	-	$9.95 $15.95	2d 3h 12m
	Mouse King from Nutcracker 1997 Santa Bear Christmas Dayton Hudson Santabear	-	$6.95 $9.45	2d 3h 42m
	Miss Santa Bear 1997 Nutcracker Sugarplum Fairy Dayton Hudson Santabearr	-	$14.95 $17.95	2d 3h 47m
	Santa Bear, stuffed, MINT	-	$24.00 $27.00	2d 22h 27m
	1996 SANTABEAR Flash The Dog Dalmation MUG Original Santa Bear DAYTON HUDSON	-	$12.99	2d 22h 48m
	Dayton-Hudson-Marshall Fields 2002 SANTA BEAR FAMILY Glass Mug 3.25" Tall	-	$12.99	3d 2h 24m
	LOT OF 15 DAYTON HUDSON SANTA BEARS NEW WITH TAGS		$399.00	3d 2h 44m
	ORIGINAL DAYTON HUDSON SANTA BEAR 1986 KNIT SCARF AND HAT 16" WHITE PLUSH BEAR		$7.99	3d 4h 16m
	2002 KEEPSAKE BOY BEAR WITH TOP HAT N COBALT BLUE SUIT 16" WHITE PLUSH BEAR		$7.99	3d 4h 16m
	ORIGINAL DAYTON HUDSON GIRL SANTA BEAR YEAR 1999 16" WHITE PLUSH BEAR		$7.99	3d 4h 16m
	ORIGINAL DAYTON HUDSON SANTA BEAR 1986 SCARF AND HAT 16" WHITE PLUSH BEAR		$7.99	3d 4h 16m
	ORIGINAL DAYTON HUDSON SANTA BEAR YEAR ? SCARF AND HAT 16" WHITE PLUSH BEAR		$7.99	3d 4h 16m
	1987 Pilot & Mrs. Pilot Santa Bears - Dayton Hudson	-	$29.99	3d 5h 4m
	1989 Polar Explorer Santa Bear w tags	-	$14.99	3d 5h 49m
	1990 Santa Bear	-	$4.99	3d 5h 55m
	1991 Chef Santa Bear w Bag, Book, & Cookie Cutter	-	$19.99	3d 6h 3m
	1992 Sing-A-Long Santa Bear w bag and tape - Dayton Hudson	-	$19.99	3d 6h 9m
	1993 Traveler Santa Bear w Passport & Original Bag - Dayton Hudson	-	$19.99	3d 6h 14m
	1994 Clown Santa Bear w Original Bag - Dayton Hudson	-	$19.99	3d 6h 18m
	1995 Conservation Santa Bear w Log Book & Bag	-	$14.99	3d 6h 45m