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:

Miniatures

	World of Miniature Bears - Mini Bear Set - Bride & Groom - Wedding		$36.00	16m
	World of Miniature Bear #189 ONE - 1" Bear - WHITE		$8.55	18m
	VTG.WICKER HIGH BACK, FAN STYLE CHAIR, PEDESTAL BASE WITH PATRIOTIC BEAR	-	$4.95	25m
	World of Miniature Bears #890A ANN - Raggedy Type Bear		$14.85	38m
	World of Miniature Bears #889A ANDY - Raggedy Type Bear		$14.85	44m
	World of Miniature Bears - 2.5" Birthday Pin Bear JULY		$11.70	1h 53m
	Little Gems Teddy Bears #LG500 ANGEL by Deb Canham NEW from our Retail Store		$40.00	2h 33m
	Little Gems Teddy Bears #LG501 ANGEL by Deb Canham NEW from our Retail Store		$40.00	2h 35m
	Little Gems Teddy Bears #LG502 ANGEL by Deb Canham NEW from our Retail Store		$40.00	2h 38m
	Little Gems TEDDY'S BEAR by Linda Mullins LG22 MIB NEW from our Retail Store		$49.00	2h 42m
	World Of Miniature Bears *Wally *Christmas * New		$14.00	3h 46m
	Collectible GUND Little Mini Teddy Bears Handcrafted Mother & Baby new	-	$4.99 $12.99	3h 55m
	Collectible GUND Little Mini Teddy Bears Handcrafted Grandfather & Grandson new	-	$4.99 $12.99	3h 55m
	SET OFSIX - REALLY CUTE STUFFED THREE INCH TALL - FAT JOINTED TAN TEDDY BEARS -		$4.99	4h 3m
	World of Miniature Bears - Mini CLOWN Bear - CENT-A-BEAR Item#1070		$28.80	5h 3m
	Tinest Bear ever.1 1 8" hand crochet brown bear with ice cream cone & tan bow	-	$9.99	5h 3m
	TEDDY N ME MRS CLAUS BEAR & SANTA BEAR EMOTIONS MATTEL		$9.00	5h 13m
	World Of Miniature Bears *Jack * New		$17.99	5h 50m
	World Of Miniature Bears *Elwin *Elf * New !		$24.00	5h 52m
	World Of Miniature Bears *Norman * New !		$28.00	5h 56m
	World Of Miniature Bears *Goose*Mohair * New !		$9.99	5h 58m
	DARLING ANNETTE FUNICELLO MINATURE MOHAIR BEARS, PERFECT CONDITION WITH TAGS.	-	$12.99	6h 3m
	DARLING ANNETTE FUNICELLO MINATURE MOHAIR BEARS, PERFECT CONDITION WITH TAGS.	-	$12.99	6h 6m
	German Miniature Dark Brown Bear Stuffed Plush		$99.95	7h 7m
	Accentra Germany Miniature Jointed Christmas Bear		$99.95	7h 14m
	German Miniature Brown Bear Stuffed Plush		$99.95	7h 17m
	A miniature jointed cottage bear OOAK, hand sculpted 2 ¼ " Toodlesocks Studio	2	$11.00	7h 38m
	Dollhouse Miniatures Mini Bears 6.5cm 5pcs blue lot	1	$5.99	8h 8m
	Cubbies - Fuzzy Poseable Bears - Mama Bear - Fur Real - Ralph Lauren-Whimzy Pets	-	$0.99	8h 44m
	MINIATURE LIME GREEN BEANBAG BEAR -5"		$3.00	13h 48m
	Barton's Creek Gund Mini Seth Bear by Janet Wilson*		$19.99	16h 57m
	OOAK MINIATURE 1 3 4 " CARVED WOOD JOINTED ARTIST BEAR 4 HITTY DOLL OR DOLLHOUSE	-	$25.00 $29.00	19h 54m
	World of Miniature Bears - 5" Jointed Mini MONKEY		$9.90	20h 53m
	World of Miniature Bears - 2.5" Jointed Mini MONKEY medium		$9.90	20h 55m
	10" two tone miniature circus circus money bear Las Vegas Reno	-	$12.95 $19.95	22h 10m
	Emily Farmer Miniature Bear Artist Kit - SWEETIE	1	$5.00	1d 12m