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:

Gund

	Gund White Teddy Bear wearing Hat 1990 10"		$15.07	26m
	GUND 2002 LIMITED EDITION BEAR for MACY'S NEW YORK~ NIB		$29.95	27m
	Gund Love Letter Brown Teddy Bear 14046		$14.95	36m
	Gund Teddy Bear Stuffed Animal Plush Vintage White Brown 1986		$9.99	40m
	Gund Baby Gund Paisley Baby Collection Bear #58277 NWT		$9.99	1h 2m
	GUND Brown Grizzly Bear Plush Kohl's Cares For Kids		$9.99	1h 10m
	GUND FUZZY chocolate bear well loved look SO HUGGABLE		$13.99	1h 12m
	GUND - "Be Mine" Bear - 7" - NWT		$4.49	1h 15m
	GUND bear ST PATRICK green KEEHN IRISH bear #320541		$13.99	1h 20m
	GUND SPARKLE PLUSH TINSEL PANDA BEAR #88071 WITH TAGS		$34.99	1h 31m
	GUND - Bear Tales - "It's a Boy" Mini Frame - NIB		$4.00	1h 49m
	Gund Collector Series - 3-Piece Mini Bear Collection NEW		$15.99	1h 56m
	NWT Gund United Airlines American Cancer Bear Holden		$49.99	2h 18m
	Cute GUND 44406 BOOKER Plush Teddy Bear Lovey with Glasses EUC		$18.95	2h 25m
	GUND The Littlest Bears Handcrafted & Fully Jointed - 7003 Grandfather		$8.97	2h 47m
	DARK BROWN GUND SNUFFLES BEAR 13" TALL 1980		$24.00	3h 3m
	Plush Disney GUND Winnie The POOH Bear w Blue Blanket Rattle 9" Sitting	-	$0.99	3h 11m
	SNUFFLES #15088 Plush BLOO blue COTTON CANDY Polar Bear 11" GUND Rare		$135.99	3h 14m
	Gund - Snoring Bear and Little Bear - 15"		$36.99	3h 38m
	GUND 15279 COLBY BROWN TAN PLUSH BEAR NEW SHEER BOW LOVEY 14"		$59.99	3h 40m
	Gund - Brown Bear with White T-Shirt - 12"		$9.99	3h 54m
	Gund - Tan Bear with White T-Shirt - 12"		$9.99	3h 56m
	NWT GODIVA CHOCOLATE WHITE CHRISTMAS BEAR PLUSH GUND 2010		$39.95	4h 2m
	Gund Plush Little Bear with Winter Hat and Present 9" NWT		$9.99	4h 14m
	GUND #4872# PLUSH 9" BEAR STUFFED ANIMAL TOY TAN		$21.74	4h 19m
	GUND #4872# PLUSH 9" BEAR STUFFED ANIMAL TOY TAN		$21.74	4h 19m
	Gund PBK CLANCY Plush Bear 12" Pottery Barn Tan Red Bow		$19.95	4h 25m
	Vintage 11 Inch Genuine Gund Teddy Bear Original Tag ~ Made In USA	-	$12.99	4h 25m
	Gund 1999 Reading Bear with Glasses & Books 4401		$44.00	4h 33m
	Gund Snuffles Bear 1980 White & Cream ALL Tags		$69.00	4h 47m
	Gund Collectors Classic 1988 POLAR BEAR JUMBO 22 inch		$147.50	4h 56m
	Limited Edition Mohair Gund Bear - Corky Very Nice LN		$74.00	5h 12m
	GUND - CODIE POLAR BEAR - SMALL, 9" - NWT		$11.00	5h 14m
	GUND - CODIE POLAR BEAR - LARGE, 17" - NWT		$40.00	5h 19m
	NWT GUND Soft Stuffed Plush Teddy BEAR named OTTO 15132		$19.99	5h 30m
	Gund Collectors Classic 1990 Bride & Groom Bears		$114.97	5h 33m