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:

Muffy

	Muffy Bear w Easter Basket Mohair Jointed Ex. Cond	-	$9.95	2h 5m
	Muffy Vanderbear Bear Sweets for the Sweet on Stand		$12.00	3h 57m
	Muffy Vanderbear Victorian Bal Masque Teddy Bear Doll 7 1 2"		$19.99	5h 16m
	New Muffy Candy C'angel Limited Edition Christmas Bear	-	$7.50	5h 52m
	Muffy's sister FLUFFY "Gibearny" No American Bear NWT		$39.99	7h 39m
	MUFFY VANDER BEAR'S "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU" BIRTHDAY CAKE IN ORIG. BOX	1	$3.00	7h 45m
	MUFFY VANDER BEAR'S "PICNIC" (OUTFIT ONLY) IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE	1	$5.00	7h 45m
	Muffy's Mom ALICE VANDERBEAR GIBEARNY No American Bear		$69.99	8h 13m
	MUFFY VANDERBEAR BAL MASQUE' 1991-93 BEAR	-	$9.99	8h 26m
	MUFFY HOPPY VANDERBEAR YANKEE DOODLE 1992-94 BEAR	-	$19.99	8h 28m
	MUFFY VANDERBEAR PICKING POSIES 1998 BEAR	-	$9.99	8h 30m
	MUFFY VANDERBEAR GARDEN PARTY BEAR	1	$9.99	8h 32m
	Rare Retired MUFFY VALENTINE I :North American Bear Co.1986 with First HANG TAG	-	$99.00 $169.00	9h 36m
	Merrythought Mohair Vintage Teddy Bear - 15" Golden Blonde w Burgundy Sweater	-	$49.99	10h 54m
	Muffy Bear and Hoppy Trinket Box Millennium Porcelain		$12.99	17h 13m
	MUFFY VANDER BEAR HOLIDAY ORNAMENT WINTER PRINCESS NIB		$19.95	20h 27m
	COLLECTIBLE NORTH AMERICAN BEAR ALICE VANDERBEAR-VGC		$24.99	21h 34m
	1992 Muffy Ginger Bear New in Box	-	$2.99	22h 37m
	Muffy Vanderbear All Paws on Deck Nautical Bear tags North American Bear Co	-	$15.99	23h 20m
	Muffy Vanderbear Soiree Fan Club Bear tags North American Bear Company	-	$16.99	23h 21m
	Muffy Vander Bear Clothes At the Beach and Musical Soiree Outfits Original Tags		$14.98	23h 58m
	Muffy's DAD CORNELIUS VANDERBEAR WILD WEST No Am Bear		$49.99	1d 2h 9m
	FUZZY VANDERBEAR ALL PAWS ON DECK TEDDY NORTH AMERICAN BEAR Co 13" MUFFY BROTHER	-	$29.99	1d 3h 19m
	Muffy VanderBear lot Bear and outfits package new seal Think Valentine	-	$49.99 $80.00	1d 3h 30m
	Muffy: "I Do" wedding Bear.		$50.00	1d 3h 45m
	MUFFY BEAR INTERNATIONAL COLLECTIBLE EXPO BUTTON 1996		$4.97	1d 4h 24m
	Muffy Vanderbear Cornelius Cherry Pie Baker Bear Plush 1992 Think Valentines!		$30.00	1d 5h 53m
	BALLERINIA BEAR SPRING PAW DE DEUX BALLERINAS AT BALLET CLASS MUFFY VANDERBEAR	-	$9.99	1d 7h 32m
	SPLISH SPLASH MUFFY FACE BATH TOWEL SET AMERICAN BEAR		$17.99	1d 7h 51m
	Muffy bear lot "Loves me Loves Me Not" bear, shoe clothes caddy, bikini w towel	-	$5.99	1d 8h 3m
	Muffy VanderHare HOPPY Bunny Girl in Hat Dress Bear EUC		$19.99	1d 10h 1m
	MUFFY VANDERBEAR NEW TEDDY BEAR LOGO SWEATER #1 CLOTHESLINE NRFB	-	$10.99	1d 10h 41m
	MUFFY VANDERBEAR ~ CLUB MEMBERSSHIP BUTTERFLY BEAR		$84.95	1d 11h 3m
	New with TAGS 1999 Muffy VanderBear Ahead Of Her Time Event Piece Bear	-	$9.99	1d 13h 4m
	MINT 1982 Muffy Vanderbear FLUFFY Plush BEAR Retired Collection & 2 Outfits **		$49.99	1d 20h 39m
	MUFFY CLOTHES MUSICAL SOIREE OUTFIT No American Bear		$19.99	1d 20h 58m