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:

Vintage (Pre-1990)

	VINTAGE 1983 CARE BEARS KENNER. LOT OF 3. PLUSH BEARS ENVIRONMENT BEARS	-	$24.99	20m
	VINTAGE 1983 CARE BEARS GRUMPY + LOVE ALOT BEAR 13" TALL	1	$14.99	40m
	Vintage 1980's Care Bears Care-a- Lot Playset and Cloud Seats	1	$4.99	1h 9m
	VINTAGE CARE BEARS FUNSHINE BEAR PIZZA HUT PROMO GLASS PEPSI 80s LOOK!	-	$6.00	1h 37m
	Vintage Yellow Care Bear Birthday Kenner 1983 18"	-	$6.99	1h 40m
	Vintage Green Care Bear Bedtime 18"	-	$4.99	1h 47m
	LARGE LOT Vintage 17 Care Bear Plush Toy Doll COUSINS Grumpy GRAMS Tenderheart +	10	$141.82	1h 49m
	Vintage 1986 Care Bears Child's Cheer Bear Comb		$13.49	2h 44m
	***Birthday Care Bear *** 12 " Tall *** { age 3+ } ****	-	$5.99	2h 47m
	Vintage 1983 *** Tender Heart Care Bear *** 17 " Tall ***{age 3+ } ***	-	$5.00	2h 47m
	***Vintage *** Friend Care Bear *** 13 " Tall *** { age 3+ } ***	-	$5.98	2h 49m
	***Vintage 1983 *** Bedtime Care Bear ***12 " Tall *** { age 3+ } ***	-	$5.69	2h 59m
	Care Bear Vintage Plush Bedtime Mini 6"		$5.99	2h 59m
	Vintage Birthday Care Bear--Musical Figure	-	$36.00 $45.00	3h 33m
	1982 Vintage MINT Kenner ~ CARE BEARS "GOOD LUCK BEAR" Figure Miniature		$15.60	3h 35m
	Tenderheart Bear Tile with stand 1984	-	$3.00	3h 50m
	1984 Vintage Kenner American Greetings 13" BRIGHT HEART Care Bear Cousin Plush		$15.00	3h 59m
	Vintage 1987 UNUSED Care Bears POP-UP Christmas Holiday HOUSE Card Decoration		$10.00	4h 11m
	2 1 2 Inch Tall Care Bears Bedtime Bear PVC Plastic Figurine	1	$3.99	4h 14m
	VINTAGE CARE BEARS TENDERHEART BEAR FIGURE		$12.00	4h 15m
	1980's Care Bears Cousins Christmas Mobile decoration in wrap never opened.	-	$3.99	4h 18m
	Vintage Poseable Care Bear Figures- Hugs, Tugs, Grams	3	$6.99	4h 20m
	Vintage 1985 Care Bears Talking Secret Bear Non-Working		$26.99	4h 30m
	CARE BEAR FRIEND BEAR PLUSH VINTAGE 13'' NICE		$12.50	4h 35m
	Care Bears Cousins Gentle Heart Lamb Mint Lamb 13" Tall	-	$0.99	4h 45m
	CARE BEARS VINTAGE GOOD LUCK BEAR 6"		$9.99	4h 50m
	Vintage Care Bears PROTOTYPE Good Luck Bear Mini Figure KENNER Employee Owned		$50.00	5h 16m
	Vintage Care Bears PROTOTYPE Love-a-lot Bear Mini Figure KENNER Employee Owned		$50.00	5h 22m
	Vintage Care Bears PROTOTYPE Birthday Bear Mini Figure KENNER Employee Owned		$50.00	5h 29m
	Vintage Care Bears Book, Parker Brothers, 1983, Very Good Condition!	-	$0.99 $11.00	5h 32m
	Vintage 1984 Care Bears Cousin BRAVE HEART LION 13" Plush	-	$14.99	5h 49m
	vintage care bears-pvc-professor cold heart	-	$3.99 $8.00	5h 56m
	Vintage 1983 CARE BEARS Care a Lot Travel Heart Cloud Play House w Figures Car	3	$13.03	6h 13m
	BRAVEHEART 1984 CARE BEAR COUSIN CARE BEAR PLUSH EXC COND VINTAGE FREE SHIPPING	1	$8.99	6h 18m
	Vintage Hugs And Tugs Care Bear Lamp	-	$12.99 $16.99	6h 41m
	Care Bears Caring and Sharing Sticker Book Pizza Hut 1984	-	$4.50 $9.99	6h 45m