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:

Russ

	~ OLDER 13" RED DEVIL VALENTINE'S DAY TEDDY BEAR & I LOVE YOU PILLOW ~	-	$7.99 $9.99	32m
	RUSS CARESS SOFT PETS GOOD WISH BEAR HAPPY BIRTHDAY 994		$12.00	48m
	RUSS TING PANDA * ALICE`S BEAR SHOP * NEW WITH TAGS	1	$9.46	1h
	Thomas kinkade 25th silver anniversary teddy bear	-	$9.99 $18.00	1h 5m
	RUSS TILLY TEDDY BEAR FROM ALICES BEAR SHOP RANGE * BRAND NEW	4	$18.17	1h 5m
	RUSS KOALA BEAR MY NAME IS KIKI WTAGS 94190~AP26		$32.99	1h 7m
	RUSS SANDY TEDDY BEAR * ALICE`S BEAR SHOP * NEW WITH TAGS	5	$24.49	1h 17m
	RUSS PILGRAM THANKSGIVING BEARS JOINTED , CLOTHES RARE		$12.95	1h 35m
	Russ Caress Soft Pets CREAMPUFF 12" plush BEAR MWT 7659 soft stuffed Animal		$39.99	1h 40m
	Russ Berrie honey bear		$4.99	1h 55m
	Vintage Russ Marshmallow White Bear Doll 8"		$6.00	2h 19m
	RUSS BEARS AMELIA AND FRANKLIN	-	$10.00	2h 26m
	Russ Bears from the Past RADCLIFFE BEAR plush TAG 12"		$9.95	2h 54m
	RUSS BLACK AND PINK BEAR I LOVE YOU TENDERLIE #29506		$12.00	3h 7m
	Russ Vintage Edition Teddy Bear ~ Yarwood ~ MWT		$15.99	3h 32m
	"Pendlebury" Vintage Collection Limited Edition 18" inch jointed Russ Bear	-	$17.95	3h 36m
	RUSS 100th Anniversary Teddy Bear CLARIDGE		$14.99	3h 53m
	RUSS BROWN PLUSH BEAR 13" STUFFED ANIMAL TOY W JACKET		$11.30	3h 54m
	Adorable Small Vintage Russ Baby Boy White Bear - 5 1 2"	-	$1.99 $2.99	3h 58m
	6 1 2 " Tall, Russ Collectible Ltd. Plush Toy Stuffed Bear, Cream Pink Brown	-	$5.00	3h 58m
	RUSS BEAR RUGBY ARTIST JUDY SENK 1996 & A GUND LION PLUSH 1979	-	$40.00	3h 59m
	RUSS BERRIE RIBBONS BEAR BEARS From The PAST 12" WHITE FLUFFY FUR NWT MINT $21		$20.99	4h 10m
	RUSS BERRIE #4017 ROXANNE BEAR BEARS From The PAST 10" BURGUNDY FUR NWT MINT $17		$16.99	4h 25m
	RUSS BERRIE #4819 NELLY BEAR BEARS From The PAST 9" BURGUNDY CHECK NWT MINT $14		$13.99	4h 41m
	Russ Berrie Harrison Bear 24008 Retired 13"		$54.00	4h 48m
	Russ Berrie Brown 10" Bear Thornbury #100442		$11.99	4h 58m
	RUSS SHIMMERS BEAR PLUSH 14" STUFFED ANIMAL		$14.78	5h 12m
	RUSS BEARS FROM THE PAST BRIARTON 15" BEAR		$18.00	5h 35m
	Russ Berrie Brambles Bear NEW w Tags Bears Retired		$15.99	5h 41m
	Russ Berrie & Co Nurse Bear		$39.00	5h 43m
	Russ Berrie Large Honeyfitz Bear NWT Bears RETIRED		$16.99	5h 43m
	VINTAGE RUSS BEAR WITH ORIGINAL TAGS, BENNY, 1979 ALL INTACT GREAT	-	$3.95	5h 46m
	Russ Berrie Honey Bear New Bears RETIRED		$9.99	5h 47m
	Russ Berrie Razzles Bear Purple Velvet Handmade 4616		$39.00	5h 49m
	Russ Berrie Ballyhoo Bear NEW w Tags Bears Retired		$9.99	5h 49m
	RUSS Great Grizzly Stuffed Couch Teddy Bear 20" Plush Floppy Bean	1	$5.99	5h 57m