German toymaker Margarete Steiff (July 24, 1847 – May 9, 1909), born in Giengen, started creating toy stuffed animals in 1880 in the town of Giengen an der Brenz, Germany. Margarete was a seamstress and confined to a wheelchair, due to polio she contracted as a baby , she started making stuffed animals as a hobby.
How did Richard Steiff invent the teddy bear?
While in school, Steiff hung out at a local zoo sketching bears . He used those sketches in 1902 to create a prototype Teddy Bear with moveable arms and legs. The toy debuted with lukewarm reception at the Leipzig Toy Fair in 1903. ... Louis World’s Fair opened a year later, the bear was a hit.
What is a Steiff teddy bear?
Steiff is a German- based plush toy company . It was founded in 1880 by Margarete Steiff, a seamstress. The toys began as elephants, and were originally a design Steiff found in a magazine and sold as pincushions to her customers.
When did Richard Steiff invent the teddy bear?
In 1902 he designed the “Bear 55PB” bears, the world’s first stuffed toy bears with moveable arms and legs.
What is the Steiff company famous for making?
Since 1880, Steiff has been making plush toys and collectibles that set the world standard for quality. The company is perhaps best-known for its bears — Steiff invented the Teddy bear in 1902. Since the firm was founded by Margarete Steiff in 1880, more than 16,000 different designs for animals have been created.
Which Steiff bears are valuable?
- Louis Vuitton Bear – €1,978,000.
- Teddy Girl Bear – €130,000. ...
- Titanic Mourning Bear – €128,000. ...
- Happy Teddy Bear – €120,000. ...
- PB28 Rod Bear – €97,000. ...
- Diamond Eyes Bear – €79,000. ...
- Harlequin Bear – €71,000. ...
- Blue Elliot Bear – €58,000. ...
Is Steiff still made in Germany?
Manufacturing is still done by hand in Steiff’s 100-year-old factory in Giengen, Germany . Steiff is recognized worldwide for their quality stuffed animals. The value of their stuffed animals and teddy bears increase as they age and continue to fetch top dollar on the auction market.
How do I know if my Steiff bear is real?
Look for either cloth ear tags or tags sewn into the seam in the chest area . Depending on the tag, look for printing that says such things as “Steiff original,” “Made in Germany” and “Made in US-Zone Germany.” Some tags will have model numbers.
How much does a Steiff teddy bear cost?
Steiff Centre-Seam Bear – $37,000 .
How much is a Steiff teddy bear worth?
A Steiff teddy bear of excellent condition from the same era may go for up to $500 per inch of bear , with some twenty-inch bears selling for around $10,000 at auction. Original 1904 Steiff Bear 28 PBs can sell for up to $40,000.
Why are Steiff teddy bears so expensive?
Mohair bears like those produced by Steiff command the highest prices because the material is expensive to import and produce . Acrylic pile is used commonly for handmade and mass-produced bears. ... As the second-oldest German toy company still in existence, Steiff has had an influential role in how the world plays.
How did teddy bear get its name?
However, it was not just any president, it was Theodore Roosevelt the big game hunter! ... He and his wife Rose also made stuffed animals, and Michtom decided to create a stuffed toy bear and dedicate it to the president who refused to shoot a bear . He called it ‘Teddy’s Bear’.
Who is the most famous teddy bear?
- Steiff Vintage Teddy Bear. ...
- Paddington Bear Toy w/ Suitcase. ...
- Winnie the Pooh Plush. ...
- Care Bears Harmony Bear Plush Stuffed Toy. ...
- Teddy Ruxpin. ...
- Snuggle Fabric Softner Bear By Lever Brothers. ...
- Build-a-Bear Workshop Classic Teddy.
Are Steiff bears a good investment?
Although Steiff bears are the most valuable to collectors , those made by the English firms of Chad Valley, Chiltern, Dean’s, JK Farnell and Merrythought fetch good prices. ... Even modern copies of old bears rapidly increase in value.
Are Steiff bears made in China?
Steiff began production in China in 2004 in an effort to cut costs. ... “We’re in the fortunate position that our customers will pay a few euros more for a Steiff teddy bear over a stuffed animal from the competition,” Frechen said. In the toy industry, Steiff represents the exception to the current trend.
What do Steiff bears have in their tummy?
4) The collectable bears cost around £150 each, their valuable is decreased if the ear button is removed. ... 8) Steiff bears were given swivel limbs to make them easy to cuddle, a protruding black snout and leather or felt pads on their paws. Many had a humped back and some had stomachs fitted with a growler box .
