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:

Ganz

	mini TUBBY TUMMY plush mint TEDDY BEAR stuffed animal pregnant belly soft love		$10.99	42m
	mini TUBBY TUMMY plush pink TEDDY BEAR stuffed animal pregnant belly soft love		$10.99	46m
	12" Becca Bear from Ganz (H11242) NEW!		$9.99	1h 5m
	Ganz Heritage Collection Teddy Bear ~ Cookie ~ Mint MWT		$11.99	2h 7m
	Ganz Cottage Bear Donny the Democrat by Lorraine 12"		$9.99	2h 23m
	Ganz Cottage Bear Cubby by Lorraine Chien 11" Adorable		$9.99	2h 27m
	Ganz 1999 VINNY 10 Inch Teddy Bear H3200 Dangling Legs		$44.00	4h 25m
	Ganz Cottage Artist Lorraine Chien SCROOGE Bear 1995		$62.50	4h 31m
	GANZ Heritage Collection "Cheerleader" Teddy Bear CUTE		$9.99	4h 41m
	Ganz Heritage Classics Duncan Bear H2579 16 In. Retired		$79.00	5h 8m
	Ganz Heritage 2001 Corey Bear Wooley Retired RARE H249		$79.00	5h 24m
	Ganz Cottage 1996 Artist 2 Bears Couple NATHAN & NICKI		$247.50	5h 38m
	Ganz Cottage Collectibles Homer Baseball Bear L Chien		$125.00	5h 40m
	GANZ 1997 BUGGABLE BEE BEAR VINTAGE WITH TAGS & STAND		$56.99	7h 4m
	Ganz Heritage Vintage 1988 Doctor Good Bear Retired 16 inch		$79.00	7h 11m
	Ganz Wee Bear Village Congo Monkey Bear		$37.50	7h 14m
	Ganz 1996 Charlie Flopper Bear H2354 Retired		$44.00	7h 22m
	1997 Ganz Cottage Collectible Bears set of 3 Catharine Tredger	-	$49.99	7h 46m
	T11 Ganz Bros Googles BEAR Plush Heritage Collection		$12.71	7h 48m
	Bear, Angeline by Ganz		$20.00	8h 46m
	16" HUGABELLA RED WHITE HEARTS TEDDY BEAR GANZ HV7642 Plush Stuffed Animal		$49.97	8h 48m
	Ganz Cottage Collectibles Teddy Bear ~ Chester ~ MWT		$29.99	9h 25m
	1997 GANZ Cottage Collectibles Teddy Bear MISTY Designed by MARY HOLSTAD	-	$24.99	19h 44m
	Ganz Bros Toronto VINTAGE PANDA BEAR Stuffed Plush		$54.00	20h 51m
	Ganz 1990 VALENTINE TUMBLES Teddy Bear		$44.00	21h 4m
	Ganz 1996 Daniel Bear 17" Retired		$49.00	21h 7m
	Ganz 1997 Sandy Bear Retired H3538		$44.00	21h 7m
	GANZ THE HERITAGE COLLECTION PLUSH CHRISTMAS SANTA CLAUS ELF BEAR 6.5 MINT		$8.95	21h 19m
	Ganz Cottage 1995 Artist Terry Skorstad COPPER Bear		$125.00	21h 37m
	GANZ Heritage Collection SEBASTIAN Plush Teddy Bear Toy		$29.38	21h 38m
	Ganz MCMASTER UNIVERSITY Canada Exclusive Murdoch Bear		$79.00	21h 40m
	Ganz H844 as plush bear	-	$3.00	22h 26m
	MS WEBSTER Ganz Cottage Collectible Bear	2	$19.99	22h 56m
	Iceberg, the Bear by Ganz With Tags		$16.96	23h 15m
	15" Cottage Collectible Bear by Ganz artist Carol E Kirby red dress	-	$9.99	23h 51m
	Get Well - Teddy Bear -GUND NEW Adorable		$3.99	1d 1m