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:

Steiff

	THE STEIFF "SANTA BEAR" Teddy Bear 667336 Limited Edition Christmas RARE 12"	-	$75.00 $150.00	58m
	1984 STEIFF Original BEAR MOHAIR 0156 32 Brown NICE Teddybar approx 12 inches		$119.00	1h 17m
	Antique Steiff Bear	-	$199.00	1h 33m
	Steiff.. Limited Edition, The Four Seasons, Summer 1997 Bear, # 00095 of 5, 000	-	$169.99	1h 37m
	Steiff Classic Jointed Bear NWT "Richard" Made in Germany D-89537	-	$99.00	1h 38m
	LED Steiff Bear Honoring Teddy Roosevelt's 140th Birthday Celebration! NWT		$95.99	1h 48m
	Steiff Bear Collectible Presents Year 2000 Teddy Bear		$360.00	1h 48m
	STEIFF Button in Ear Bear in Perfect Condition!	-	$79.00 $129.00	1h 53m
	NIB Steiff Punchy Baren set Teddy bear puppets		$300.00	1h 59m
	Steiff Bear Collectible Presents Teddy Bear with Book		$225.00	2h 3m
	STEIFF ANTIQUES ROADSHOW HEIRLOOM BEAR TRUNK COA LE NIB		$199.95	2h 32m
	STEIFF BIRTHDAY BEARS	-	$75.00	2h 36m
	Steiff Teddy Baby Blue Bear,	2	$100.00	2h 40m
	STEIFF "LITTLE POLAR BEAR ORNAMENT" EAN 667107		$99.00	2h 45m
	1982 Limited Edition Steiff Brown Bear-0204 16-West Germany	-	$29.99	2h 55m
	Antique STEIFF Original RARE WHITE Mohair ZOTTY Teddy Bear 1959		$1,295.00	3h 4m
	Steiff Museum Teddy Bear Signed Limited Edition MIB	-	$249.00	3h 7m
	Steiff Schnuffy Teddy Bear 022733 Retired 35 cm Jointed	-	$249.00	3h 7m
	Steiff Teddy Bear Forget Me Not Blue Tipped 40cm Locket	-	$175.00	3h 7m
	Steiff Teddy Bear Growler 4 Seasons 35cm Winter	-	$149.00	3h 7m
	Steiff Delighted Teddy Bear Limited Edition 30cm Jointd	-	$249.00	3h 7m
	Steiff 1999 Museum Bear Chocolate Pendant	-	$149.00	3h 7m
	Steiff Dirndl Teddy Bear 0275 28 Jointed Dress	-	$149.00	3h 7m
	Steiff Teddy Bear Vedes LE 650901 Growler Jointed 42 cm	-	$245.00	3h 7m
	Steiff Koala Bear 060106 Tierleben 33 cm Very Soft	-	$124.00	3h 7m
	ANTIQUE STEIFF ? BEAR 20" h. LOW STARTING PRICE NO RESERVE W@@W !!!	-	$125.00	3h 9m
	Steiff Bear Pin - Button in Ear, Cocoa Brown	1	$9.99	3h 20m
	Steiff Bear Necklace, Goldtone, Completely Jointed	2	$9.50	3h 37m
	PAIR OF 20" JOINTED BEARS	-	$6.99	3h 45m
	SMALL VINTAGE STEIFF BLACK BEAR	-	$21.99	3h 48m
	ANTIQUE MINIATURE JOINTED TEDDY BEAR MOHAIR BODY & GLASS EYES 5" LONG NO RESERVE	1	$9.99	3h 51m
	STEIFF TEDDY BEAR" MILLENIUM BAND" LIMITED EDITION" #137 2000 *Style# EAN038808	-	$750.00	4h 3m
	Steiff plush "BROWNY" teddy bear on all fours NR	-	$35.00 $45.00	4h 5m
	STEIFF "TEDDY BEAR TOM SAWYER" EAN 665868		$247.50	4h 22m
	Steiff 1996 "Forever Friends" 2 Blue Bear NWT		$175.00	4h 43m
	Steiff Petsy Bear SIGNED Button Tag #0233 20 Honey Blonde Woven Plush	-	$30.00	4h 44m