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:

Modern (1970-Now)

	Steiff Teddy 1902 - 2002	-	$250.00	43m
	THE STEIFF "SANTA BEAR" Teddy Bear 667336 Limited Edition Christmas RARE 12"	-	$75.00 $150.00	47m
	1984 STEIFF Original BEAR MOHAIR 0156 32 Brown NICE Teddybar approx 12 inches		$119.00	1h 6m
	Steiff Teddy Bear Original Called Happy Ean 012662	10	$34.05	1h 22m
	STEIFF "MOLLY DOG 1927 MOHAIR REPLICA EAN 400889		$270.00	1h 22m
	Steiff Museum Collection Jocko, Chimpanzee, orig.1928, Reproduction 1993 Mint	-	$236.00 $290.00	1h 25m
	Steiff.. Limited Edition, The Four Seasons, Summer 1997 Bear, # 00095 of 5, 000	-	$169.99	1h 26m
	LED Steiff Bear Honoring Teddy Roosevelt's 140th Birthday Celebration! NWT		$95.99	1h 37m
	Steiff Bear Collectible Presents Year 2000 Teddy Bear		$360.00	1h 37m
	STEIFF "ROLY POLY SANTA" EAN 037894		$99.00	1h 41m
	STEIFF Button in Ear Bear in Perfect Condition!	-	$79.00 $129.00	1h 42m
	NIB Steiff Punchy Baren set Teddy bear puppets		$300.00	1h 48m
	Steiff Ltd Edition Vincent Mohair Growler Teddy Bear EAN 035883 New	20	$194.34	1h 50m
	Steiff Bear Collectible Presents Teddy Bear with Book		$225.00	1h 52m
	STEIFF "BABY CANDY CANE ORNAMENT" EAN 667466		$110.00	2h 21m
	STEIFF ANTIQUES ROADSHOW HEIRLOOM BEAR TRUNK COA LE NIB		$199.95	2h 21m
	Steiff Bazi Dachshund puppy Classic Jungedackel NWT EAN 035050	-	$75.00 $85.00	2h 22m
	STEIFF BIRTHDAY BEARS	-	$75.00	2h 25m
	Steiff Teddy Baby Blue Bear,	2	$100.00	2h 29m
	STEIFF "LITTLE POLAR BEAR ORNAMENT" EAN 667107		$99.00	2h 34m
	STEIFF LITTLE DRUMMER BOY MOHAIR CHRISTMAS COA LTD NIB		$199.95	2h 35m
	1982 Limited Edition Steiff Brown Bear-0204 16-West Germany	-	$29.99	2h 44m
	Steiff Museum Teddy Bear Signed Limited Edition MIB	-	$249.00	2h 56m
	Steiff Schnuffy Teddy Bear 022733 Retired 35 cm Jointed	-	$249.00	2h 56m
	Steiff Teddy Bear Forget Me Not Blue Tipped 40cm Locket	-	$175.00	2h 56m
	Steiff Poodle Club Edition 1931 1996 97 Mechanical Tail	-	$199.00	2h 56m
	Steiff Teddy Bear Growler 4 Seasons 35cm Winter	-	$149.00	2h 56m
	Steiff Bugs Bunny What's Up Doc Mohair Made in Germany	-	$185.00	2h 56m
	Steiff Delighted Teddy Bear Limited Edition 30cm Jointd	-	$249.00	2h 56m
	Steiff 1999 Museum Bear Chocolate Pendant	-	$149.00	2h 56m
	Steiff Dirndl Teddy Bear 0275 28 Jointed Dress	-	$149.00	2h 56m
	Steiff Teddy Bear Vedes LE 650901 Growler Jointed 42 cm	-	$245.00	2h 56m
	Steiff Koala Bear 060106 Tierleben 33 cm Very Soft	-	$124.00	2h 56m
	Vintage Steiff Mockie Hippo with Hang Tag. Nice Lot!		$99.00	3h 8m
	Steiff Bear Pin - Button in Ear, Cocoa Brown	1	$9.99	3h 9m
	STEIFF CHRISTMAS MOHAIR BALL Ornament 2 inches Limited Edition 2008		$49.99	3h 21m