Steiff Teddy Bears

Few other toys have the endearing, enduring appeal that the teddy bear has. And Steiff teddy bears are the forebear of all teddies. One look at their hand-stitched faces, emotive eyes, and soft coats, and people are hooked forever. Steiff bears are number one not only because of their artistry, but also because of a consistent emphasis on using the best materials and maintaining strict quality control.

Since the Middle Ages, bears have been anthropomorphized by craftspeople and artists, and later, in folklore, in children's books, and by toy makers. In 1883, German dressmaker Margarete Steiff began to sell soft-filled felt elephants, poodles, donkeys--and bears--at her shop in Giengen, in southern Germany, and the toys took off. Almost 20 years later, Margarete's nephew Richard Steiff designed a jointed mohair toy bear, which he introduced at Germany's Leipzig Spring Fair the following year.

The same year Steiff designed his new bear, legend has it that President Theodore Roosevelt refused to shoot a captive bear during an failed hunting expedition. The President's good sportsmanship resulted in a spate of satirical Washington Post cartoons featuring "Teddy's Bear."

Readers sympathized with its cartoon-like portrayal--Roosevelt even adopted the teddy bear as mascot for his 1904 campaign--and the public was primed for the introduction of Steiff's cuddly, jointed toy bears with fat bellies and boot-button eyes. While attending the Leipzig fair, a representative of a New York toy company came across Steiff's bear, and the rest is history.

The success of the Steiff bears, identifiable by their trademarked Button in Ear, was so impressive that the company still refers to the period between 1903 and 1908 as the "boom years"--974,000 bears were made in 1907 alone. By 1910 Steiff bears could be purchased in 14 different sizes.

Today's collectors favor the traditional pre--First World War Steiff teddy with center seams, lightly humped backs, elongated arms, well-defined feet with narrow ankles, and mohair plush. While condition is an important factor, a well-loved look is often forgiven if the bear has extraordinary appeal--and for collectors, chances are it does.