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And they call it "puppy love!" Steiffgal's not referring to the famous Donny Osmond song bemoaning a teenage crush here... but about her latest vintage Steiff dog find! Take a look at this tiny handful of canine cuteness. Not only is his design blue ribbon quality, his unusual Steiff button is best in show, too! Sit and stay and take a look at what makes this pooch so interesting from the collector's perspective.
What we have here is Steiff's wonderful Waldi, the long haired Dachshund. Waldi is 10 cm, standing on all fours, unjointed, and made from copper colored mohair. He has sweet, longish ears which have been tacked to the side of his head with a stitch or two. Waldi's face is detailed with shiny black glass eyes and a black hand embroidered nose. His mouth is indicated by a little black airbrushing. Waldi wears his original green leather collar and has his red, tan, yellow, and blue "watermelon" shaped bear faced tag, with his name imprinted in crimson.
This pattern is particularly endearing. But don't just take Steiffgal's word on it. Even Steiff describes Waldi in
their literature as "a very expressive model." It is most unusual for
the company to comment on their own designs.
Waldi appeared continuously and practically unchanged in the line for almost 50 (people, not dog...) years. Standing Waldi was made in 10, 14, 17, 22, and 28 cm from 1933 through 1943. This same design was produced in a "begging" position in 17, 22, and 28 cm from 1933 through 1936, and on wheels from 1933 through 1943. Post war, standing Waldi was produced in 17, 22, and 28 cm from 1949 through 1980 and on wooden wheels in 17 and 22 cm from 1949 through 1970.
This pup's mettle - er, metal, is quite apparent. Besides his lovely copper color, his button also has a spectacular glow about it. Waldi sports a most unusual BRASS colored Steiff button. It is the short trailing "f" style and 6 mm in diameter. This button appeared on some Steiff items from 1933/34 through 1943. This is the first time that Steiffgal has ever seen this button, and it is the only item in her collection of 750+ vintage Steiff items bearing this distinctive trademark. Most of the time, for items produced in the mid 1930's through early 1940's time frame, Steiff used a silver colored short trailing "f" button.
Steiffgal hopes this discussion on Steiff's unusually buttoned Waldi has covered the brass tacks of his identification and legacy for you.
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