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

	Cherished Teddies~ANNELLE~CUPID BEAR~FREE SHIP		$24.99	6h 57m
	Cherished Teddies Lee- You're A Bear's Best Friend		$14.00	1d 6h 1m
	Cherished Teddies Bear With ABC B Alpha Letter Block		$10.50	1d 6h 5m
	Cherished Teddies MILES- ROBIN- CUB E BEAR lot, MIB's		$26.99	1d 7h 30m
	CHERISHED TEDDIES Bear Figurine 4016841 FRIENDS IN THE GARDEN		$80.95	1d 20h 2m
	CHERISHED TEDDIES 4016850 Bear Pull Toy GOOD TIMES ROLL		$15.95	1d 20h 15m
	CHERISHED TEDDIES GIRL WITH BEAR NEW IN BOX		$7.99	1d 20h 49m
	Cherished Teddies #911348 Age 1 Bear Figurine	-	$1.50	2d 16h 15m
	Cherished Teddies #914851 November Bear Figurine-Nicole	-	$1.50	2d 16h 16m
	Cherished Teddies #914835 Sept. Bear Figurine-Seth	-	$1.50	2d 16h 16m
	Teddy Bear - (Baby Alpaca fur)		$39.99	2d 18h 34m
	cherished teddies large bear dressed as Santa night light		$72.25	3d 4h 27m
	CHERISHED TEDDIES Bear Figurine Christmas 4023744 SLIDING INTO A SEASON OF FUN		$27.95	4d 22h 8m
	CHERISHED TEDDIES Bear Figurine Christmas 4023743 WHAT'S THAT I HEAR ON THE ROOF		$29.95	4d 22h 11m
	CHERISHED TEDDIES Bear Figurine Christmas 4023742 SURELY ON THE NICE LIST		$29.95	4d 22h 13m
	Cherish Tan Girl Teddy Bear Black Velvet Dress Bow in Hair Mint 2009	-	$13.99 $16.99	5d 1h 3m
	Alpaca Teddy Bear		$39.99	5d 19h 12m
	Ty Erin the Irish bear missing the shamrock emblem. Original in Case. VERY RARE!		$168.95	6d 19h 56m
	16" Cherished Teddies by Enesco Plush Bear		$13.95	6d 21h 3m
	Cherished Teddies Christmas Bear 707333 100		$19.75	7d 21h 50m
	CHERISHED TEDDIES MARCH BEAR NEW		$5.95	7d 21h 53m
	Cherished Teddies Let The Fun Begin Bear Swan 4020563		$20.99	8d 23h 47m
	Cherished Teddies Bear Tricycle Easy Rider 4020564 New		$20.99	9d 8m
	CHERISHED TEDDIES~BEAR IN ROBE~NEW 2009~FREE SHIP		$19.99	9d 8h 18m
	Cherished Teddies - Age 2 Bear - Two Sweet Two Bear		$17.99	12d 19h 11m
	Cherished Teddies - Age 3 Bear - Three Cheers For you		$17.99	12d 19h 19m
	Cherished Teddies - Age 1 Bear - Beary Special One		$17.99	12d 19h 25m
	I Love Mommy Bear by Holy bears Special Purchase!		$8.95	14d 20h 27m
	PRISCILLA HILLMAN ENESO BEAR NOVEMBER 1996		$4.99	16d 1h 32m
	PRISCILLA HILLMAN ENESO BEAR JILLY 5R0 120		$5.99	16d 4h 9m
	PRISCILLA HILLMAN ENESO BEAR RICK 625 938		$5.99	16d 4h 9m
	Cherished Teddies - Age 5 Bear - Color Me Five (1992)		$17.99	17d 23h 33m
	Cherished Teddies BUNNY 103802 Baby Bear With Pacifier in Half Easter Egg CUTE		$12.95	19d 2h 25m
	Cherished Teddies CHRISTIAN Boy Bear Puppy Prayer Book		$12.95	19d 2h 25m
	Cherished Teddies ZACHARY 950491 Sailboat Doll White Blue Hat Bear Sailor Hat		$19.95	19d 2h 25m
	Cherished Teddies THOMAS Bear Train Engineer Cap CUTE		$15.95	19d 2h 26m