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:

Deans

	DEAN'S LONDON GOLD Mohair TEDDY BEAR 12"		$34.95	4h 36m
	Patrick a Limited Edition Teddy Bear from Dean's Rag Book #358	-	$50.00 $80.00	7h 19m
	Dean's Rag Book Company LTD. "Bear in a Sach" 132 of 500	1	$9.99	10h 44m
	DEAN'S RAG BOOK UK Teddy Bears, Mickey Mouse, Golllies+		$100.00	23h 48m
	Deans Rag Book Mohair Bear Joshua Two's Company Ltd Ed		$595.00	2d 9h 13m
	Deans Rag Book Ltd Edition Hampton Mohair Bear 2004		$595.00	2d 9h 17m
	Deans Howard Bear 1998 Collectors Club No 1615		$595.00	2d 9h 20m
	Deans Rag Book Majesty Mohair Bear HRH Golden Jubilee		$695.00	2d 9h 20m
	Deans Ragbook UK Black Mohair Nightfall Bear 2000		$695.00	2d 9h 20m
	Deans UK Nick Bear Limited Edition 39 1500		$595.00	2d 9h 20m
	Deans Rag Book Hardy Mohair Bear Club Limited Edition		$595.00	2d 9h 22m
	Deans UK Exclusive Yellow Mohair Bear " Roo "		$324.95	2d 9h 27m
	Deans Bear UK Fully Jointed Rare Retired		$400.00	2d 9h 30m
	Deans Rag Book Toby Best of Friends Mohair Bear 2000		$595.00	4d 1h 28m
	Deans Bear Chloe Two's Company Great Ormond Hospital		$595.00	4d 1h 28m
	Deans Rag Book Hugo Mohair Bear Limited Edition 2001		$595.00	4d 1h 28m
	Deans Rag Book Matilda Best of Friends Bear 2000		$595.00	4d 1h 28m
	Dean's England ROOSEVELT BEAR "TEDDY B" All Original with BOX		$149.00	5d 17h 15m
	Deans Gwentoy Britain Large 22 in. Nursery Bear Antique		$650.00	6d 46m
	Deans Rag Book Apple Blossom Bear Centenary Year		$595.00	6d 2h 40m
	Deans Rag Book Cherry Pink Bear Centenary 1903 - 2003		$595.00	6d 2h 40m
	Deans Rag Book Horatio Mohair Bear 2005 Special Limited Edition		$595.00	6d 2h 41m
	DEAN'S MINI MR BEARS "MR CARTER" BOXED LIMITED EDITION MOHAIR BEAR		$70.00	6d 23h 4m
	12" DEANS TEDDY BEAR ~ CHILDSPLAY TOYS ~		$5.00	8d 7h 25m
	Dean Rag Book Bear Luke Bear H9323 Teddy Bear		$15.99	8d 20h 43m
	Dean Rag Book Bear Cecil Bear H8726 Teddy Bear		$25.99	8d 20h 43m
	Deans Mohair Sullivan Yes No Bear Barbara Sixby		$1,500.00	11d 3h 49m
	Dean's Rag Book Vintage Reproduction Yes No Bear 'Wendall' by Barbara Sixby		$195.00	11d 20h 18m
	Dean's Collectors Club Teddy Bear Brother Theodore Monk		$59.00	20d 23h 18m
	Vintage DEANS Mohair LE 2000 TEDDY BEAR Little Joe 24cm		$59.95	21d 20h 28m
	MOHAIR 17" MOVEABLE LEGS ARMS BEAR DEANS RAG BOOK PAW		$60.00	22d 19h 58m
	Deans Rag Book Limited Edition Hudson Mohair Bear		$595.00	24d 44m
	Deans LONDON GOLD Mohair Bear in Case Bell in Ear		$695.00	27d 41m
	Vintage Cloth Dean's Bear Nice		$48.00	27d 8h 48m
	Deans Ragbook UK Yellow Mohair Golden Dawn Bear 2000		$695.00	29d 2h 58m