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:

Merrythought

	A Early Mohair Merrythought Teddy Bear 13" Tall Very Nice.	-	$29.99	36m
	Rare and Unique Cotton Merrythought Bear! Handmade in Germany!	-	$29.99	2h 2m
	7" Merrythought MAGNET Teddy Bear LTE #268 500 Dk Brown Long Pile Mohair	-	$22.00	3h 13m
	MERRYTHOUGHT LIMITED EDITION EDWARDIAN BEAR		$199.00	3h 29m
	21" Merrythought LTD #11 Wellington Long Mohair Teddy Bear	-	$74.95	3h 29m
	MERRYTHOUGHT Jointed Brown TEDDY BEAR		$29.99	5h 6m
	MUFFY VANDERBEAR BACK TO SCHOOL BEAR 1990-93	-	$9.99	8h 20m
	MUFFY VANDERBEAR CRUISEWEAR BEAR 1986-91	-	$9.99	8h 22m
	Vintage mid 80's Merrythought 18" Tartan Scots Bear, Wonderful! NR	-	$99.95	8h 30m
	Vintage mid 80's Merrythought 18" Pearly King Bear, Wonderful! NR	-	$79.95 $99.95	9h 19m
	Vintage mid 80's Merrythought 18" Pearly Queen Bear, Wonderful! NR	-	$79.95 $99.95	9h 35m
	10 l 2" MERRYTHOUGHT MILLENNIUM AMETHYST MOHAIR TEDDY BEAR, circa 2000 MIB	-	$90.00 $110.00	9h 48m
	Very Cute Merrythought Bear Made for Neiman Marcus In England! New Condition!	-	$29.99	13h 12m
	MERRYTHOUGHT "STOWAWAY" MOHAIR BEAR MADE IN ENGLAND		$178.00	21h 59m
	VINTAGE HARRODS MERRYTHOUGHT MOHAIR TEDDY BEAR LIMITED EDITION RARE 12.6 ENGLAND	-	$49.99	1d 2h 31m
	Merrythought English Hand Made Teddy Bear	-	$89.99	1d 9h
	HARRODS MOHAIR MERRYTHOUGHT Teddy BEAR 12" TAGS antique toy ENGLAND moving limbs		$74.99	1d 18h 30m
	Vintage Merrythought Bear ~ "EDWARD A Great Friend And Bear" ~ 11"	-	$9.99	2d 32m
	Merrythought UK Balmoral Scottish Bear Mohair Growler		$495.00	2d 9h 5m
	Merrythought Ironbridge Shropshire Panda Bear		$400.00	2d 9h 8m
	18" MERRYTHOUGHT BEAR MINT WITH TAGS- ROYAL GUARD?	-	$45.00 $125.00	2d 9h 9m
	Merrythought UK Felix Christmas Mohair Growler Bear '02		$495.00	2d 9h 13m
	Merrythought UK Mohair Soda Bear Nr 68 500 Ltd Edition		$324.95	2d 9h 19m
	NWT Merrythought Pink Canadian Punkinhead Cheeky Bear #174 250 Limited Edition		$229.99	2d 9h 53m
	NWT Merrythought Disney Cheeky Bear Punkie Tigger #85 New		$299.99	2d 9h 54m
	NWT Merrythought Windsor Club Mohair Teddy Bear W Growler Limited Edition #303		$89.99	2d 9h 55m
	MerryThought Chelsea Guard Bear Ironbridge Shrops Neat!		$489.99	2d 12h 7m
	Merrythought Diamond Jubilee Large 18" Mohair Bear MIB	-	$59.99 $75.00	2d 19h 55m
	MERRYTHOUGHT~Bear Hand Puppet~English Dress		$14.00	3d 38m
	VERY CUTE CHEEKY MERRYTHOUGHT LIMITED EDITION VALENTINE BEAR MUST SEE	5	$19.28	3d 43m
	Vintage MERRYTHOUGHT ROYAL GUARD MOHAIR BEAR - BEEFEATER	-	$19.99	3d 1h 45m
	1994 Souvenir UFDC 8 1 2" Merrythought Mohair Bear Designed by Lynne Murray	-	$29.99	3d 6h 31m
	Merrythought Personalised Classic Teddy Bear-Boy		$142.18	3d 16h 8m
	Merrythought Personalised Classic Teddy Bear - Girl		$142.18	3d 16h 11m
	Merrythought Chelsea Pensioner Bear for Harrods Mohair		$425.00	3d 17h 8m
	Merrythought Classic English Teddy Bear 18" musical		$156.42	3d 17h 12m