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:

Antique (pre-1946)

	Steiff c1930s Mohair ST BERNARD Bernhard Dog IRON WHEELS 43 cm ID button AS IS	-	$699.95	1h 20m
	Antique Steiff Bear	-	$199.00	1h 21m
	antique steiff rabbit	-	$59.99 $79.99	1h 47m
	ANTIQUE STEIFF ? BEAR 20" h. LOW STARTING PRICE NO RESERVE W@@W !!!	-	$125.00	2h 57m
	Steiff Antique Bear	3	$16.50	5h 10m
	Steiff Fabulous Book A Celebration of Timeless Toys GREAT STEIFF HISTORY		$45.99	6h 50m
	ANTIQUE VINTAGE STEIFF BEAR BLONDE JOINTED MOHAIR AGE? PLEASE LOOK AND READ	-	$49.99	8h 48m
	1950ies 6.5" Steiff OKAPI antelope velvet excellent		$97.00	9h 44m
	VERY BEAUTIFUL TEDDY BEAR . STEIFF FROM 1925 . YELLOW . 16 3 4 inches. FF BUTTON		$5,500.00	1d 2h 41m
	RARE FELT ROOSTER : CERTAINLY STEIFF FROM 1892 . 22 cm. 8 2 3 inches.		$1,800.00	1d 3h 10m
	Antique Steiff Molly Dog @1925-1934 14cm FF Button VGC NR	2	$102.50	1d 5h 37m
	STEIFF BEAR VINTAGE antique STEIFF TEDDYBEAR MOHAIR JOINTED BEAR button tagged	4	$26.00	1d 6h 26m
	2 Antique Steiff - Desert Fox Xorry running and wool mouse excellent cond		$95.90	1d 19h 31m
	mini Steiff woolen rabbit pompom bunny all ID s		$49.90	1d 21h 49m
	LITTLE SWEET STEIFF CAT FLUFFY, FF-button, 1920!!!!		$529.00	2d 28m
	Antique Steiff Mohair Jointed Bear Golden Color	-	$95.00	2d 1h 31m
	Antique VTG German Steiff Jocko Monkey Mohair Logo Buttom 10"	-	$49.99	2d 2h 1m
	vtg Antique Mohair Teddy Bear (possibly Steiff?) w Porcelain Button Eyes		$82.50	2d 2h 19m
	10" Early STEIFF c1908 Classic TEDDY BEAR Shoe-Button Eyes, Jointed Beige Mohair		$795.00	2d 4h 30m
	Early STEIFF Chocolate Brown "Real" Bear Button in Ear		$1,495.00	3d 2h 2m
	Steiff German Antique Teddy Bear Blind Bear 11-1 2"	-	$24.99	3d 7h 35m
	ANTIQUE VERY OLD STUFFED RABBIT WITH WIRE EARS STEIFF?	1	$0.99	3d 18h
	Early Antique Steiff Gray Felt Small Rabbit Bunny All Original Cute Toy!		$299.00	4d 2h 38m
	Early 1900's Antique Steiff Small Velvet Elephant All Original Cute Toy 3" tall		$425.00	4d 2h 40m
	LOVELY JACKET for antique STEIFF Teddy bear, vintage!!!	-	$19.99	4d 11h 21m
	STEIFF PRE Foal, sild plush, 9.5" , loved condition	-	$99.00	4d 20h 25m
	STEIFF PRE War Calf sild plush, underscored button 9.5" , loved condition RARE	-	$199.00	4d 20h 31m
	EARLY STEIFF * CINNAMON * TEDDY BEAR		$1,195.00	4d 21h 31m
	Vintage photo Postcard big STEIFF TEDDY BEAR		$12.00	5d 1h 5m
	Vintage photo Postcard big STEIFF TEDDY BEAR		$9.99	5d 1h 7m
	Antique Steiff Toy Animals Bears - Types Dates Manufacturing Techniques Book		$39.95	5d 2h 7m
	Vintage Steiff Rabbit Pull Toy c1935-1950	5	$118.50	5d 3h
	ANTIQUE STEIFF BEAR TOP CONDITION		$998.00	5d 7h 10m
	LOVELY HUGE STEIFF MOHAIR TEDDY BEAR c. 1930		$1,399.00	5d 15h 28m
	STEIFF PRE War Cat, underscored button 5.6" , loved condition	-	$129.00	5d 20h 15m
	STEIFF PRE War Cat Fluffy, underscored button 8.8" , loved condition	-	$229.00	5d 20h 17m