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:

Hallmark

	Hallmark COOPER the BEAR Plush & INTERACTIVE STORY BOOK Read & Respond		$39.99	3h 21m
	Hallmark Napolitain Ice Cream " SCOOP " BEAR Retired		$175.00	4h 23m
	HALLMARK STUFFED PLUSH 12 INCH BEAR DRESSED FOR COLD-COLD DAYS		$18.99	5h 20m
	Bunnies By The Bay Plush Matilda Teddy Bear Doll w Pink Dress & Flower Basket	-	$14.95	6h 28m
	HALLMARK Shaggy Brown Teddy Bear "Teddy Mittens" NEW		$16.95	7h 9m
	2004 OVERSIZED Hallmark Kissing Bears	-	$35.00 $100.00	7h 45m
	HALLMARK TEDDY BEAR Plush HEART TALKS MOVE 11" HUGS & SQUEEZE		$14.00	9h 27m
	Hallmark Valentine's Day 2 Magnetic Kissing Bears	-	$0.99	10h 19m
	HALLMARK KISS KISS HEART MUSICAL PLUSH SINGING BEAR Beatles ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE		$54.99	14h 26m
	Hallmark Forever Friends Bear Door Curtain Panel Blue		$12.50	16h 50m
	NEW Crayola Crayon Coloring Toy BEAR Hallmark Activity Craft Kit DRAW Orange NIP		$29.99	17h 21m
	Hallmark Mitten Bear Soft Plush Animal w Scarf Sweater Pants 13"		$2.35	18h 32m
	NEW Crayola Crayon Coloring Toy BEAR Hallmark Activity Craft Kit DRAW Purple NIP		$29.99	20h 2m
	HALLMARK Christmas Mohair Classic Teddy BEAR Stuffed Classic Holiday Animal Soft		$11.69	20h 58m
	Hallmark Olympic Winter Salt Lake Games Kiss Kiss Magnetic Bear Pair Ice Skaters		$12.99	21h 52m
	Hallmark Kiss Kiss Magnetic Bears Snowflake -Swirl Heart -Gift Heart PICK 1-2-3		$5.99	22h 36m
	HALLMARK VALENTINE BEAR SET	-	$1.00	22h 48m
	HALLMARK VALENTINE KISSING BEAR SET	-	$1.00	22h 50m
	NEW Hallmark Kiss Kiss Mistletoe Bear	-	$2.99	22h 53m
	Hallmark Squeeze Me Hug Me Love Me Sound & Action Sitting White 10" Polar Bear		$9.99	22h 57m
	Hallmark Scoop Ice Cream Cone & Cherry Sitting 11" Plush Bear Yummy Colors		$8.99	23h 8m
	Hallmark White Ice Skating Bear 10" with Lace-Up Skates & Silver Accent Scarf		$7.99	23h 17m
	Hallmark Shoebox Giggling Laughing Brown Old-Fashioned 10" 'Patches' Teddy Bear		$8.49	23h 30m
	Happy Birthday BOYDS BEAR with birthday hat and card NWT		$7.99	23h 54m
	9" Hallmark EMILY White Teddy Bear pink heart & bow	-	$0.99	1d 4m
	HALLMARK KISS KISS Bears (2 of them)		$4.95	1d 1h 21m
	Hallmark Cards Plush Holiday ~ Panda Bear ~		$8.50	1d 4h 24m
	1982 Hallmark Bear Box	-	$3.99	1d 7h 21m
	HALLMARK FAUX MINK BEAR RED ROSE PLUSH stuffed toy		$7.99	1d 8h 55m
	PERFECT VALENTINES BEAR GUND MUSICAL "WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR" OPEN & SHUT BOX	-	$25.00	1d 11h 39m
	Heartly Hallmark "Hug Me, Squeeze Me, Love Me!" Talking Valentine Bear - NEW	-	$13.00 $15.50	1d 11h 42m
	1984 Hallmark Brown Teddy Bear 9" Tall Stuffed Plush Animal GREAT SHAPE + tag	-	$12.00 $14.00	1d 14h 38m
	hallmark blushing bears	-	$9.35 $10.35	1d 17h 33m
	Hallmark.Valentine. musical bears play "all u need is love."	-	$9.35 $10.35	1d 17h 33m
	HALLMARK Expressions Sweet Hugs Bear w Heart 9" w Label		$3.99	1d 20h 18m
	Hallmark Plush White TEDDY BEAR Jointed Red Heart Bow		$24.97	1d 20h 38m