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:

Current

	Boyds Best Dressed Head Bean * Cory Q. Starsley * poseable bear - NWT	-	$7.99	36m
	Ruby Christmas Ornament Bear Boyds Plush Toy Stuffed Animal Teddy Stocking BNWT		$10.50	38m
	Boyds Bear in Bathing suit and Frog inner Tube. NEW!	-	$9.99	1h
	Boyds Bear Lovie White Valentine Bear Head Bean Jointed		$12.99	1h 59m
	14" Boyds Bear..........ADORABLE!! LOOK!		$14.00	2h 12m
	TILLIE'S WATERING CAN Boyds Bears TREASURE BOX 2E		$19.99	2h 43m
	Boyds Bear "Archer Straightshot" Shelfsitter Spl Occas		$6.99	3h 5m
	Boyds Bear "The Collector" 1998		$6.99	3h 5m
	Boyds Bear "Hop-A-Long...The Deputy"		$6.99	3h 5m
	Boyds Bear "Edmund..the Graduate - Carpe Diem" 1997		$6.99	3h 7m
	Boyds Bear "Christian by the Sea" 1993		$6.99	3h 7m
	Boyd's Bears Juliet S. Bearlove #912651	-	$9.99	3h 10m
	Boyd's Bears Muffin B. Blueberry #94693YC	-	$9.99	3h 14m
	Boyd's Bears Jeb Macdonald #912662	-	$9.99	3h 17m
	Boyd's Bears Bobbi Jo Bearican #904252	-	$9.99	3h 21m
	BOYDS BEAR 1979-1999 INVESTMENT COLLECTABLES	-	$3.99 $5.99	3h 28m
	Boyds Bears~BEARY~NEW 2007~FREE SHIPPING		$19.99	3h 34m
	Boyds Bears~JINGLE HOLLYBEARY~Free Shipping w $20		$11.99	3h 35m
	Boyds Bear 2011 Easter EASTON EGGBURT Bearstone 1E NIB		$18.95	3h 35m
	Boyds Bears~WINTER LADDER WREATH~NEW 2008~FREE SHIPPING		$21.00	3h 36m
	Boyds Bears~TINY T. JODIBEAR~free ship w $20.00		$9.50	3h 36m
	MISS WISE FIRST CLASS TEACHER Boyds Bears 3E		$12.25	3h 49m
	CHRIS STRIKER SCORE Boyds Bears Resin 2E		$12.25	3h 49m
	IMA MOM WITH SWEET PEA Boyds Bears 2E		$13.99	3h 59m
	Boyds Bear Ornament Lil' Rudy Christmas Reindeer New		$15.95	4h 24m
	BOYDS BEARS "RED RIDING HOOD" NEW	-	$9.99	5h 12m
	Boyds Bear Ms. Rouge Chapeau - Mint with Tags		$14.95	5h 21m
	Boyds Bear Lil' Sis Sister Ornament Mitten New Plush		$16.15	5h 28m
	Two Cute Boyd Bears Need a New Home	-	$3.95	5h 32m
	2006 BOYDS Pink CRAYOLA Bear - EUC - So Cute!	-	$14.99 $16.99	5h 38m
	BRAND NEW BOYDS BEAR FIGURINES LOT OF 7	-	$49.99	5h 57m
	Boyd's Bears & Friends - The Archive Collection - Lorelei - 6" Tall - Jointed	3	$1.05	6h 1m
	The Boyds Collection LTD 1988-2004 St. Patricks Day Bear	-	$3.99	6h 17m
	NWT BOYDS BEAR DIANA S. ROSEBEARY FROM THE BOYDS HEAD BEAN COLLECTION- ADORABLE!	-	$12.99 $14.99	6h 19m
	Boyds Bear 'Annie' Thinkin' of Ya Series		$8.00	6h 28m
	Boyds Bears Matthew Spring 2011 Victorian Party Kimited Edition Retired		$22.99	6h 30m