If I Had A Money Tree: Auction Highlights 3/23-3/29/09

Steiff greetings to you on this dreary, rainy east coast Sunday.

One of the great things about being a collector today is that online auctions can bring the entire world of whatever you collect right to your desktop... even if it's just to observe, track, and dream! Let's brighten the day by looking at some of the really interesting Steiff collectibles that sold on online auctions this week. In no particular order, these four Steiff items really caught my eye...

1. The 1955-1957 "Music Cockie" cocker spaniel
This item, number 3317,3 in the Steiff catalog, is a 17 cm black and white mohair sitting cocker spaniel with an open felt mouth and a swivel head. She has a music box which is activated by moving her tail, and appears to be in good to very good condition with her button from the picture and copy associated with the auction. This collectible had 11 bids and sold for $203.57.

Why a highlight?
This hard to find model seldom comes up for auction, especially with a music box that still works after 50+ years. Additionally, she was only produced for a handful of years, significantly increasing her collectibility.


2. The 1964 "Susi Sulac" cocker spaniel
The same breed as above but a dramatically different presentation. This item, number 7340,00 in the Steiff catalog, is a five way jointed 40 cm blonde mohair dangling cocker spaniel with "lulac" style long playful limbs and a red leather collar. She appears to be in good to very good condition from the picture and copy associated with the auction, but it is not clear whether or not she still has her button. Susi had 13 bids and sold for $208.32.

Why a highlight?
"Lulac" style animals have been around since 1952, (the first one produced was a 43 cm mohair blue eyed rabbit) and are still being produced today. In the 1950's and '60's, Steiff produced a handful of extremely unusual "lulacs"- including a donkey, elephant, poodle, and Zotty-style bear - in very small numbers with limited distribution. This Sulac model is one of these hard to find styles, and many vintage collectors would literally give an arm and leg to welcome her to their hug.


3. The 1968-1974 "Elektrola Fox" fox terrier
This item, number 4420/17 in the Steiff catalog, is a 17 cm white Dralon sitting fox terrier with brown mohair ears and very expressive pupil eyes. This delightful dog is none other than Nipper, the logo of the RCA Victor record label, famous for listening to "His Master's Voice." According to the pictures and copy associated with the auction, he has his button and looks to be in very good to excellent condition. Nipper had 12 bids and sold for $228.86.

Why a highlight?
Steiff has a long history of producing logo'ed themed products for promotional and commercial uses. These items, perhaps because of their "familiar faces" and limited distribution (they were not available to the general public as companies often gave or sold them to their customers and employees) are considered rare gems to many collectors. In addition, this particular sized Fox was only made from 1968-1969, making him even more desirable.

In case by now you think I am biased towards canines, hopefully this final highlight will prove you wrong.

4. The 1953-1954 "Siamy" Siamese cat
This item, number 3323,2 in the Steiff catalog, is a 23 cm light and dark chocolate brown mohair sitting Siamese cat with a pink stitched nose and piercing cobalt blue glass pupil eyes. She has an open felt mouth and appears to be in very good to excellent condition with her button according to the pictures and descriptions associated with the auction. Siamy had 26 bids and sold for $383.21.

Why a highlight?
Siamy historically never fails to be a crowd pleaser among collectors. Originally produced by Steiff in the 1930's and early 1940's, Siamy's distinctive coloration, usual eye color, and adorable presentation have maintained their appeal - and value - with feline fanciers for almost 80 years. In the 1950's, Siamy was produced in three sizes - 11, 15, and 23 cm. This large size is a super-rarity; it would be fair to say she'd be "the cat's meow" in my collection if I ever had the good fortune to own her.

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