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 (1946-69)

	Steiff Fox Curled Up Made in Austria 1540 30 Vintage	1	$25.00	16m
	5" 12cm Vintage STEIFF 1951-1958 Velvet ZEBRA #6412 Glass Eyes		$50.00	58m
	Steiff Classic Jointed Bear NWT "Richard" Made in Germany D-89537	-	$99.00	1h 27m
	Antique STEIFF Original RARE WHITE Mohair ZOTTY Teddy Bear 1959		$1,295.00	2h 53m
	Vintage Steiff Mockie Hippo with Hang Tag. Nice Lot!		$99.00	3h 8m
	Steiff Vtg Colorful Mohair PLAY DUCK 14 cm noID SQUEAKS		$59.95	3h 13m
	Steiff bears (3 together)	-	$50.00	4h 42m
	steiff vtg. rino. very good condition no ids.	-	$47.95 $58.95	5h 4m
	Possy Squirrel Steiff EAN # 2001 14	13	$35.00	5h 28m
	Antique 1952 53 Mohair Steiff Bear Original! Clean! No Reserve!	30	$390.00	5h 29m
	Steiff Richard Teddy Grey Classic 1905 Replica 9" EAN # 001666	8	$20.53	5h 36m
	Steiff Molly Bear Brown EAN # 100192 13 Inches	7	$11.00	5h 42m
	Vintage Mohair Steiff Jointed Head "BAZI" Button in Ear Collar & Bell Clean! NR!	-	$25.00	5h 52m
	Collie Dog-Original Owner's Steiff. Ear button & chest tag intact.	-	$69.99	5h 58m
	German Shepard Dog-Original Owner's Steiff.Ear Button intact.	1	$59.99	6h 5m
	1950s Vintage Antique Steiff 22 inch Leo the Lion stuffed animal. Excellent	13	$132.50	7h 21m
	Rare Steiff Mohair TESSIE Tags Antique	-	$195.00	7h 29m
	Steiff Peter Putz Hedgehog 3" Bendy Figure Mini Doll	-	$9.99	7h 55m
	Vintage Steiff Teddy Bear Painted Face & Apron No Reserve!	2	$11.50	8h 14m
	Antique Steiff woolen pompom bird for dolls ' Holiday decor		$33.00	8h 47m
	STEIFF PERRI SQUIRELL, MOHAIR, 6 (SIX) INCHES, w SILVER BUTTON	-	$49.00 $59.99	8h 53m
	STEIFF VINTAGE CHANGEABLE RABBIT BUNNY, 6 inches Tall	-	$35.00 $45.00	8h 56m
	STEIFF Zotty Vintage with Original Tag, Button and Red Ribbon	2	$18.50	9h 27m
	Steiff bear mini 3 1 2 inches button and ear tag fully jointed - adorable	10	$90.99	9h 49m
	STEIFF MANNI RABBIT BUNNY w EAR TAG, 7 IN TALL, TAG 1950's-1960's	-	$60.00 $75.00	10h 5m
	Steiff velvet musical heart music box Rollo Baby Series 6374 15 excellent love !		$56.00	10h 5m
	XD11 * BEAUTIFUL STEIFF BEAR MOHAIR TOY ANIMAL VINTAGE GERMAN		$189.00	17h 5m
	Vintage Steiff Crying Clownie Felt & Fabric Vinyl Head 16" Tall Tag 1950s		$199.99	19h 7m
	STEIFF woolen Rog, all ID's, 5 cm, near mint		$34.99	19h 48m
	93-94' STEIFF CLUB USA TEDDY BEAR - PREMIER EDITION SAM TEDDYBEAR 28		$189.99	20h 14m
	Vintage Steiff Wolf		$65.00	20h 24m
	Gold Color Metal Steiff "Jabre 80" Teddy Bear Pin		$25.00	20h 43m
	VINTAGE TINY STEIFF SKUNK W EAR TAG L@@K		$175.00	21h 25m
	Charming Steiff 1950's Clownie 4 3 4" Figure Paper Tag & Button Tag Germany		$24.99	21h 27m
	RARE 12 inch Mohair Zotty-Steiff	-	$125.00 $200.00	23h 1m
	Small Vintage Steiff bear	-	$25.00 $55.00	23h 13m