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:

Retired

	Cherished Teddies Bear w Ice Skates Avon Exclusive 1999		$8.95	31m
	Cherished Teddy Bear w Christmas Package Avon Exclusive		$8.95	35m
	Cherished Teddies Bears Hanging Sleigh Ornament 2000		$5.94	56m
	Cherished Teddies Eric Boy Riding Polar Bear		$18.74	1h 23m
	Cherished Teddies Erika Snow Bear		$15.00	1h 40m
	Cherished Teddies Marty Rare Bear Variation #8e0 447		$18.74	2h 59m
	Lot- 9 Vintage Teddys & Toys Nita Showers Lang & Wise Bear Figurines 1996		$48.95	3h 27m
	Cherished Teddies THANKSGIVING TABLE WE BEAR THANKS 6 R		$14.99	5h 16m
	Cherished Teddies Flora Spring Is Filled With Egg-Citement Goose Pulling Bear		$29.97	5h 20m
	Enesco Cherished Teddies Teddies To Cherish Viel Gluck Irish Bear #1135901 NIB		$24.95	5h 28m
	Cherished Teddies Robbie & Rachel Love Bears #4h3 529		$14.25	5h 40m
	Cherished Teddies Anja and Kirstyn , Holiday Laplander Bears	-	$29.99 $34.89	5h 58m
	VERA BRADLEY "VERA BEAR COLLECTION" "BLUE BEARY" NWT	-	$27.99	6h 37m
	NIB Cherished Teddies T. James Bear 2001 Membearship Figure Membership		$7.99	6h 54m
	Cherished Teddies Avon Exclusive Milliennium Bear NIB		$15.15	7h 14m
	Cherished Teddies Santa Bear Hanging Ornament		$18.74	7h 47m
	Cherished Teddies Ornament 2003 Dated Bear in Moon NIB		$20.85	7h 50m
	Cherished Teddies"Love Bears All Things"Double Plaque!	1	$6.99	8h 3m
	Cherished Teddies Bear With ABC M Alpha Letter Block		$16.10	8h 24m
	Cherished Teddies Tiny Ted Bear God Bless Us Everyone		$13.88	8h 55m
	Cherished Teddies Tiny Teddies Bear With Mug		$8.99	9h 7m
	Cherished Teddies Diana I Cherish Your Bear Hugs		$17.10	9h 8m
	Cherished Teddies Tiny Teddies Bear With Toy		$8.99	9h 17m
	Cherished Teddies "Robert" Ceramic Teddy Bear__MIB		$11.99	16h 48m
	Cherished Teddies Hunter The Cave Bear	-	$4.99	17h 13m
	cherished teddies bear with ABC "O" BLOCK...ENESCO		$3.99	19h 54m
	cherished teddies bear with ABC "Q" BLOCK...ENESCO		$3.99	20h 7m
	cherished teddies bear with ABC "V" BLOCK...ENESCO		$3.99	20h 15m
	CHERISHED TEDDIES DARREN...BEAR WITH SCARF...ENESCO		$9.99	20h 15m
	Cherished Teddies Ricky Mc Bear 2000 Membear Get Membea	-	$9.99 $12.50	22h 48m
	Cherished Teddies Bear Holding Harp Musical		$29.99	23h 58m
	Cherished Teddies Bear In Rocking Chair Ornament		$16.50	1d 15m
	Cherished Teddies Bear in Sleigh Ornament		$13.88	1d 32m
	CHERISHED TEDDIES CUB E BEAR CHARTER MEMBER 1995 SYMBOL OF MEMBERSHIP	-	$1.56	1d 42m
	Cherished Teddies Bear In Stocking Ornament		$16.50	1d 49m
	Cherished Teddies Bear Playing Drum Ornament		$8.99	1d 1h 6m