MY STEIFF LIFE

Seeing Stripes Over Steiff's Unusual Pint Sized Tigers

2012-01-21T11:05:00.000-05:00

It's easy to understand why so many collectors see stripes when it comes to Steiff's terrific tigers. Although a "relative" latecomer to the Steiff line (they first appeared in the company's catalog in 1915, about 23 years after it was first published in 1892), they were an instant hit. Today they remain one of the company's most beloved patterns, and some enthusiasts specialize in them alone. Over the years, Steiff has manufactured tigers in just about every size and configuration you can imagine, raging from a 6 cm sitting Nomotta "woolen miniature" version to a Studio, or life sized, 160 cm model.

One of the things Steiff has been able to do so successfully with tigers is to design them with unique features - whether lifelike, playful, or just plain adorable - regardless of their size. Let's take a look at three very different styles of rare, handful-sized tigers Steiff created in the 1950's through the early 1970's and see what makes them so interesting from the collector's perspective.

Our first pint sized sweetie should have you moving and grooving if nothing else. This is Steiff's 14 cm, five ways jointed tiger cub. He is standing on all fours, and made from tan mohair that has been airbrushed with a base of orange with black striped details all over his head, back, and tops of his limbs. Tiger's rather serious looking face is detailed with green and black slit pupil eyes, pert mohair ears, a black hand embroidered nose and mouth, and mono filament whiskers. He has a little red highlighting around his lips and eyes. Tiger was produced in 8, 10, and 14 cm from 1952 through 1959. The 8 cm version had a cord tail and was a US exclusive product.

(It is interesting to note that five ways jointed animals are labor intensive and expensive to produce, and Steiff produced fewer and fewer of them over time; by the late 1960's most previously five ways jointed designs had been converted to just head jointed (or none at all) to keep expenses under control.)

This second Steiff tiger is anything but a "tiny terror!" Here we have the smallest version of Steiff's distinctive and rare Bengaltiger. He is 14 cm, sitting, unjointed, and made frombeautifully hand airbrushed mohair. He has green and black pupil eyes, a pinkand black embroidered nose, and black airbrushed claws. You can't help but crack a smile in reference to his most distinctivefeature: his open mouth, which is lined in peach colored felt; it looks likehe is grinning broadly (or yawning, your choice!) This brave baby was made in 14, 22,and 43 cm from 1959 through 1961 only. His older brothers come four pointy teeth: two on the top and two on the bottom. It is quite rare to find the larger sizes in good condition with all of their teeth remaining.

X marks the spot of our final Steiff tiger under discussion today. Here we have Steiff's "Ponx." He is 17 cm, sitting, unjointed, and made from dralon. His belly and undersides, as well as his sideburns and the linings of his ears are pure white, while his back, sides, and face are orange with black hand applied airbrushing. His face is detailed with green and black slit pupil eyes, clear mono filament whiskers, a pink embroidered nose, and a black mouth. If Shere Khan (the tiger from the movie The Jungle Book, produced by Steiff in 35 cm from 1968 through 1975) had a son, he probably would look alot like Ponx! Ponx was made from 1971 through 1974 as part of a series called "der kleine tierversand" - which roughly translates into "the little animal series." Each item in this series came in a special display box and was accompanied by a little blue booklet which told the story about the animal; the booklet included translations in German, English, and French. Details of Ponx's booklet can be found right below.

Steiffgal hopes this discussion on interesting little vintage Steiff tigers has been the cat's meow for you.

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

One Heck Of A Giant Classy Steiff Lassie!

2012-01-13T22:31:00.000-05:00

Good golly, take a look at this huge and marvelous Collie! That's just what Steiffgal did when she got this inquiry a reader about her "life sized Lassie." Check out this note from Kathy, who writes on behalf of a friend who would like to learn more about her family's treasure - that just happens to have a very interesting history as well. She shares:

"Hi Steiffgal,

I found your blog on-line and was so excited to find you! Your love of Steiff is contagious.

I've attached some photos of a large Steiff Collie that I would like information on. The dog belongs to a dear friend of mine and I am helping her out with her research.

My friend bought the dog at a garage sale about 40 or so years ago. The owner of the dog worked for Mrs. Gerber, of the Gerber Baby Food Company, as a house cleaner. She often took her young son along to the Gerber's home when she was cleaning, and Mrs. Gerber grew quite fond of him. Whenever she traveled overseas she would bring the boy a Steiff animal. When he was 10 she brought him the Collie. After the boy had grown up he no longer wanted the dog and his mother didn't either so she sold him to my friend.

I've had a difficult time trying to find information or a value for it. Thank you for any help you can provide.

Best,

Kathy"

Steiffgal is certain that many Steifflife readers are thinking "Lassie come home... to me" upon learning about this dog. Indeed, what we have here is fabulous and wonderful, and Steiffgal is not surprised to learn that Kathy could not find reference to it online as it is really, really rare.

This best of show beauty is the studio (i.e., life sized) Collie produced exclusively for the upscale toy retailer FAO Schwarz. He is in a lying position and made from mohair which has been realistically airbrushed with all shades of tan, brown, beige, and black. He has a long, fluffy mohair "mane" and an equally robust tail. His face is detailed with a prominent muzzle; large, pert pupil eyes; an open, felt lined mouth with a red felt tongue; and a black, hand embroidered nose. He is approximately 135 cm long and was produced in 1966 and sold in the 1966 through 1967 time frame only.

One place this rarity is documented is in the FAO Schwarz catalog archives. According to their 1967 catalog, this playful pooch is described as follows: "The distinctive looks and noble air of this popular breed are captured by Steiff in this faithful companion. The long mohair plush coat, long nose, open mouth, and long red felt tongue give him the familiar "collie look." 53 inches long, with authentic marking and deep-throated voice".

From the collector's perspective, this dashing doggie truly represents the best of both worlds.

1. First, he is a Steiff "Studio" treasure, meaning he is life-sized, and/or designed specifically for display purposes. So what exactly does this mean? In the case of “life-sized” animals, if in nature a tiger is almost 6 feet long, then the Steiff Studio tiger would be almost 6 feet long. In the case of a display product, an item may be produced in exceptionally large proportions in order to make a statement in a window vignette. For example, Steiff has produced an almost 3-foot-tall standing Studio ladybug and a two-and-a-half-foot-tall sitting “Hush Puppies” Basset hound.

2. Second, he was made exclusively for FAO Schwarz. And here's why that matters. Although Steiff has been merchandising FAO Schwarz with items from its line since the early 1900s, it wasn’t until the early 1950s that Steiff started producing store exclusives for its long-time American retail partner. These treasures included a Texas Longhorn, unusual puppets, unique studio pieces like this Collie, and even a walrus pajama bag, among numerous other items. Despite their “relative newness” to the marketplace, these items are all among the most sought-after Steiff collectibles because of their exceptional attention to detail, unique designs and, of course, the fact that so few were manufactured to begin with!

Now for the question that always makes Steiffgal want to head off to the dog-house - Collie's value. As always, Steiffgal is not a formal appraiser and truly believes something is worth what someone will pay. Kathy's photos and notes do not give much information on the dog's actual physical condition. It would be critical to know if the Collie has any rips, tears, weak or balding spots, odors, or other structural issues before giving a firm value range, as those factors can greatly influence its bottom line. However, IF (and that's a big IF) the dog were in very good to excellent condition, with only little play wear, at least one form of Steiff ID, and no major structural damages, he MAY value in the $900 to $1,500 range.

Steiffgal hopes this discussion about Kathy's Collie has been a best of show experience for you.

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

A Little Novel Mystery To Light Up Your Steiff Life!

2012-01-07T11:16:00.000-05:00

Looking for a little something to light up your (Steiff) life? Then you've come to the right place. The world of interesting vintage plush collectibles is quite large - but also quite interrelated on many levels. Take a look at this note from a reader who asks about a possible novelty... could it have been made by Steiff? Jaime writes...

"Hello,

Here is my dilemma... After what seems like a thousand dead-ends, a ton of time, energy, and endless "google-ing" & "bing-ing".... I have exhausted all known avenues of search. Can you take a look at my item and provide any information about it?

Here are his details. He is approximately 19cm or about 7-1/2" tall, and hard stuffed with excelsior. His body is made from mohair and is yellowish / cream or off-white, in color, with darker shaded tips and a few black, air-brushed, spots on the forehead and front paws. His muzzle and ears are shaved or trimmed black mohair; each ear has one stitch, to help keep them held down and in place. His nose and mouth are hand embroidered in black. He has a pink corduroy "panting or begging" tongue. He has a swivel head and wears a green leather collar with a silver buckle.

Here's where it gets interesting. He has glass eyes, which are light brown/auburn with a black pupil. Each contains a "filament", essentially, a removable light bulb with a socket. The battery or power source is housed in the belly and is accessed by un-doing three, brass, snap-style buttons. All 3 snaps are engraved with the maker's name, "Prym." The Prym Company, responsible for making the snaps, is located just 3 hours away from the Steiff factory in Germany.

There are no identifying marks except for the button makers name on the brass snaps. There does appear to be an "indented" area where a button would have been in the left ear. The mohair, in that area, was matted down in the shape of a round button and there did appear to be small hole through the ear, But I have poured over this puppy for so many exhausting months that it might just be a wishful thinking! Please help!!

Thank you,

Jaime"

Electrifying, and many thanks for introducing us to this great item. And, as you might know, Steiffgal is a pug fiend; two real live ones (pictured above) are right here by her side as she figures out this mystery.

Don't mean to zap anyone's expectations, but Steiffgal can tell you right away that this item was not made by Steiff. However, it has two features that are quite interesting when viewed through the lens of Steiff history and product evolution: 1. its design and 2. its "novelty" qualities. The big challenge is that there were a zillion toy companies in business in Europe and the US about the time that he was made, and little documentation or history on many of these manufacturers. So, as a result, Jaime may never really know his origins. And that's ok. But there are a few things Steiffgal can glean about this dog which do relate directly to Steiff.

Let's first take a look at his dog-gone design. It is Steiffgal's opinion that has many of the same elements of two documented Steiff dog designs. These are Tino, who is from the early to mid 1930's, and Pug, who is from the mid to late 1920's. They are pictured above; Tino is on the left and Pug is on the right. Both are little known, very rare, and seldom seen on the secondary or collector's marketplaces.

It is very interesting to note that it was (and still sort of is) really, really common that plush companies would all but replicate their competitor's lines with the slightest of modifications and call that pattern their own. Well known examples of this with Steiff include early Teddy bear designs, tumbling animals, and even their Treff the bloodhound, who was based on the English Dalmatian "Dismal Desmond," manufactured by the Deans Rag Book Co. of London.

So, when can a dog really be a cat? When it's a copycat! Despite a Steiff look, there are two design elements that strongly suggest that the item was not made by Steiff. First, his design is too "clunky" to be made by Steiff; the pattern is very simple and the lines are not curved and elegant. (This is not meant to be derogatory in any way, it just is what it is.) Additionally, thinking back, Steiffgal can't think of one time Steiff ever used corduroy on any item, except way post war on some doll, bear, and character's clothing items. So this also all but rules out Steiff as the manufacturer.

Second, let's take a look at the novelty features of this pug. Steiff created many early novelty items - including hand bags, puppet s, pajama bags, animal dolls, dangling car mascots, and even a record cleaner - but Steiffgal is all but certain that Steiff themselves never made "electric" eyed items. (However, she has seen "aftermarket" creations, meaning someone got creative with a Steiff Ted, some wiring, and light bulbs in their garage!) The novelties that Steiff produced were always based on their most popular and well known characters, including Bully the Bulldog, Molly the Puppy, and Charly the King Charles Spaniel. Jaime's dog design, although adorable, would not fit into this tier of classic Steiff patterns. Steiffgal's favorite Steiff novelty of all time, Jocko as a purse - from around 1930 - is pictured here on the left.

It's time to plug into the topic of electrified plush! Light-up eyed items first came on the market around 1907 or so. They were produced as novelties and mostly seen on bears. The eyes would light up if the bear's belly was pressed, a switch was pressed, or a limb was moved up or down. The early ones had the batteries buried in the body so you pretty much had to take the animal apart to replace them. Jaime's pug seems to have a much nicer battery setup, with snaps or the like, implying that it is a more sophisticated, therefore slightly younger design than the early ones, perhaps from the late 1920's or so.

So what does this all mean? Steiffgal's best guess, and that's all she can offer here, is that this was made in Europe by one of Steiff competitors in the early 1930's or so. The light up eyes were designed to "one up" the Steiff design, but the materials used, and the overall design details are somewhat inferior to traditional Steiff standards. Anyone else have any ideas?

Steiffgal hopes you got a real charge out of learning about this vintage electric-eyed pug.

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

Vintage (Steiff) Teddy Bear Hugs To You!

2011-12-30T19:44:00.000-05:00

It certainly bears repeating... there's nothing quite as wonderful, heartwarming, and delightful as Steiff's early, turn of last century Teddies. For most collectors, just looking at one brings a big smile and a happy feeling that can last all day. And Steiffgal promises it is no different in this case as well. Take a look at this note from a reader who inquires about a precious Steiff family heirloom bear. Matt from California writes...

"Hello,

I would like to get some information on a family bear and what it may be worth.

The bear measures 12" tall, top of head to bottom of feet. The arms, legs and head still swivel. In terms of details, the stitching on the nose and paws is brown. He has four stitches on each paw. His button measures around 5mm or 6mm as far as I can tell. His paw pads are in good condition, no staining, rips, or anything.

There is a little fur missing from the top of the nose. There looks like there is a hole or tear in a seam above the right foot at the ankle, measuring about 5mm x 2mm - possibly stitched back together at some point, I can't see it very well without digging at it, and I don't want to do that. The left upper arm is a little deformed - it looks like it laid on its side for a long time and the arm is a little twisted below the shoulder. The stuffing is compacted in the limbs, causing voids in the upper arms and the upper thigh. Other than that, everything else seems to be in good condition.

This bear was given to me by my great aunt and she wrote a note stating it's a 1907 Steiff Teddy Bear. What do you think?

Thanks for your help,

Matt"

Wow, this is one terrific Ted! What Matt has here is an excellent example of a turn of last century Steiff Teddybaer or Teddy Bear. This bear is made from mohair, is five ways jointed, and is detailed with traditional early 20th century details, including black shoe button eyes and a prominent muzzle. He has classic early Steiff proportions, including a torso which is twice as long as his head; slender arms that descend to his mid-thigh area; and a 1:5 foot length to height ratio. Even though he has darkened a bit over time, it is clear that he was originally white, as Steiff used brown embroidery floss on white bears, and black embroidery floss on blond and brown bears. This particular model was produced in blond, white, and brown mohair in 10, 15, 18, 22, 25, 30, 32, 35, 40, 46, 50, 60, 70, and 115 cm overall from 1905 through 1933.

It's very important to respect your elders, especially when it comes to Steiff! So, just how old is this beautiful bruin? This needs to be deduced from four main factors.

First, Matt's bear measures 12 inches (30 cm) standing and 8 inches (20 cm) sitting. According to records, which are not always 100% to the date accurate, this size was manufactured from around 1909 through 1933.

Second, let's take a close look at his button, pictured above. It is Steiffgal's best extrapolation that it measures closer to 4mm; this size button was used on items from approximately 1908 though 1927.

Third, take a look at his "looks!" He is remarkably similar in appearance, size, and proportion to Steiffgal's "George", a early blank buttoned Steiff bear from 1905. "George" is pictured just above.

Fourth, his "provenance." Matt's great aunt states this treasure is from 1907 - according to the note she left for him with the bear. This documentation is pictured above.

If you dovetail all of these clues together, it is Steiffgal's best "guesstimate" that Matt's bear was manufactured between 1908 and 1909.

If time is money, then what is the value of Matt's vintage mohair masterpiece? As always, Steiffgal is not a formal appraiser and sincerely believes something is worth what someone will pay. He does have some wear on his nose, a small seam rip on his leg, and stuffing separation and degradation. On the other side of the coin, he is a precious and classic century-plus white mohair Steiff bear and Steiffgal can't imagine any vintage enthusiast not wanting him for their collection - despite his restorable flaws! That all being said, he probably values in the $1,800 to $2,250 range today.

Steiffgal hopes this discussion concerning this adorable antique Steiff bear feels as good as a giant Teddy hug!

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

A Tall, Dark, and Handsome Steiff Mystery!

2011-12-25T14:14:00.001-05:00

A tall, dark, handsome, and mysterious (Steiff) gentleman appeared in Steiffgal's inbox, and she couldn't be more pleased! Steiffgal is always open to this type of introduction, and even Steiffguy is OK with it! Take a look at this note from a reader, who asks about an "almost" life sized Steiff doll that has been in his family for over a quarter century. Bryan writes...

"Dear Steiffgal,

Anything you can tell me about this item? It has been in my family for well over 25 years. It still has its Steiff tag on it, but I have not been able to find out any information about it through my own searching. The tag LOOKS like like it has the numbers 7749/12 on it, but they are really hard to decipher.

This is a large doll that looks like someone from Saudi Arabia, perhaps. It measures roughly 30" high at the tallest point, and is about 24" wide. The legs are not jointed, but it is possible the arms are, they have much more of a range of movement than the legs. Its hard to tell without removing the clothing. As far as the clothing goes, nothing has ever been done to it by us, so as far as I know it is original.

Here is the story I was always told growing up about it. My dad used to import cars from Germany. On one of his trips over there, around 1983 or 1984, he was in a gift store in the Frankfurt Airport and he saw Muhammad Ali buying this same doll (or one similar, the details are vague). Of course, Ali was causing a huge commotion as everyone wanted to see him and get autographs/photos with him. He decided if Ali was buying one, he wanted one too and jumped in line behind him and bought this one. He says it was the last one they had. Both my dad and Ali carried these dolls onto the plane, Ali in first class, my dad is coach. Dad thinks he paid around $300US for it.

Many thanks, Bryan"

So, just who is this international man of mystery? Well, to be honest, Steiffgal is not 100% sure, as she has never seen this piece before, and it does not appear in any standard Steiff reference books. However, there are several clues about him that may shed a little light on his dating, background, purpose, and history.

First check out his tag and button. He has Steiff's traditional thick letter raised script button which technically appeared on items from the early to mid 1960's through around 1972. His yellow linen tag was used from 1969/1970 through 1980. However, Steiffgal has noticed from some items in her personal collection that the thick letter raised script button has appeared on some larger, studio items through the mid- to late 1970's as well.

Next check out the writing on his tag. It is clearly handwritten. It has been Steiffgal's observation that in the past in general, Steiff hand wrote numbers on a tag on studio (life sized) items, items that only very few were produced, sample items, and other rarities. Although the meanings of the different numbers have changed over time, and several times in the 1950's and 1960's, Steiffgal can decipher that the first two digits, a 7 and a 7, most likely indicate Steiff is describing this item as "in caricature" - the first 7 - and "synthetic, rubber" for the second 7. That would make sense, given the doll has a playful look to him, and is most likely made from man-made trivera velvet. The "49" may - and this is just a guess - indicate 49 cm as a sitting size for this item, as the total height is around 75 cm. It is not clear what the final two digits after the slash may indicate. Overall, his tag suggests that he is very unusual and made for a special purpose.

Now his look and materials. As mentioned above, he appears to be made from trivera velvet, a material that was very popular at Steiff in the 1970's through the 1980's. It had a soft and durable "skin" like texture and look to it. This material was used quite frequently on play dolls, notably on a series of adorable little friends from 1972 through 1982. They are pictured here on the left. This material is occasionally used at Steiff today; a somewhat recent example is the 100cm bier monk doll Steiff created in 1999 for Alpirsbacher Klosterbraeu, a traditional brewery located in Germany’s Black Forest.

Of course, it's never polite to guess any one's age. But given all the clues mentioned above, Steiffgal feels that this doll most likely was manufactured in the the mid 1970's - a little less than a decade before being discovered by Bryan's dad!

Now for his purpose. Here's where best guessing and a little knowledge come together. Based on his size, rarity, and hand written tag, Steiffgal THINKS that this doll was produced for one of these reasons:

As part of a large storefront window display, perhaps of the nativity (he could have been a wise man posed with a camel) or of a Middle Eastern vignette.
As a "customer special", a piece ordered and then designed and produced in very limited quantities for a private customer or organization.
As a sample which was never produced in a large enough scale for documentation.

Given that, then you may be asking why were there two of these, and why were they for sale in a Frankfurt airport gift shop? It is entirely possible that for any of the three reasons listed above, Steiff produced a handful of extras and had them on hand in storage. It would not be out of character for Steiff (and Steiffgal means this in the most loving way...) to sell these older extras to retailers to make a few dollars, and some extra room, in their inventory stockrooms.

Steiffgal hopes this research into Bryan's great mystery doll has added a little foreign intrigue to your day!

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

This Wonderful Steiff Zotty Bear Sure Knows How To Multitask!

2011-12-17T13:19:00.000-05:00

One of the most delightful things about Steiff is how often new/old things surface in the collector's world. Vintage items that do not appear in the standard Steiff Sortiments or other well known reference books seem to have an appeal all unto their own! And such is truly the "case" behind this hybrid treasure! Take a look at this note from Sergio, who writes from the Chicago area...

"Dear Steiffgal,

I have a Steiff bear but am not sure how old it is, if it is an original, or how rare/collectible it is. I know that it's a Zotty bear, looks like a bag (has a zipper with a pouch), and has a yellow tag attached to the left year that reads "Original Steiff 2340.90 Made in Germany."

Zotty is approximately 22 to 24 inches long. The zipper is right down the middle of his belly; his bag is lined with satin-like material. Any information about this bear will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Sergio"

Steiffgal's got this one in the bag. What Sergio has here is a really nice, and somewhat unusual Steiff Zotty pajama bag. These items were designed to be both a toy and a functional item - in this case, a cuddly bedtime-buddy who also could store children's 'jammies during the day! From the product development perspective, this rarity is probably a modification of Steiff’s standard-line original Zotty Teddy bear, which was produced from 1951 through 1978 in 17, 18, 22, 28, 35, 43, 50, 80, and 100. Overall, Steiff Zotty bears are famous for three things: their happy, open mouthed expressions; their fuzzy, long mohair; and their contrasting inset bib areas. It is very interesting to note that this Zotty does not have a peach bib; this is most likely because that would greatly complicate the insertion of the metal zipper in the chest area. This Zotty pajama bag is most likely based on the 50 cm pattern.

Here's a little pillow talk about this Zotty's background. It is Steiffgal's best estimate that he was made in the mid 1960's - early 1970's time frame. This is based on two other mohair pajama bags in her collection from that time frame - a tiger pajama bag, and a walrus pajama bag. All three of these bags have several things in common:

They all have large, rounded bellies as part of their design - perfect for storage.
They all feature a sturdy metal zipper right down the middle of the item.
They all are detailed with a beautifully constructed, silk lined internal pouch.
They are all based on very popular and beloved characters of the 1960's and 1970's.

Steiffgal has also seen, or heard of, other 50 cm +/- sized, silk lined pajama bags made from Steiff's beloved "Slo" turtle and "Flossy" fish patterns (both which also have wonderful, large rounded bellies, too!)

Steiff has made pajama bags since the 1930's; you can read more about that by clicking here.

In terms of value, it's a very good day - or night - to find a Steiff mohair pajama bag in very good to excellent condition. All are beloved additions to any Steiff collection or hug. Some, like the walrus bag mentioned above, are well known and cataloged, so it is a bit easier to follow their resale prices over time. Others, like Sergio's Zotty and Steiffgal's tiger, are not, making their value just a bit harder to estimate. As always, something is worth what someone will pay for it. That all being said, Steiffgal thinks that Sergio's Zotty pajama bag may value in the $300-500 range in today's market.

Steiffgal hopes this information about Steiff's mohair pajama bags has been as warm and cozy as a flannel nightgown!

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more!

Care To Have A Firsthand Look At An Original Steiff Rod Bear?

2011-12-11T17:49:00.001-05:00

Just a warning that what you're about to see is really going to test your (Steiff) mettle - I mean metal! Have you ever laid eyes on a century-plus Steiff rod bear? These terrific Teds were only made between 1904 and 1905 and were jointed by three metal rods: one horizontal one for the legs, one horizontal one for the arms, and one vertical one for the head. Rod bears are incredibly rare and are considered the "holy grail" by many collectors around the world. Steiffgal recently had the pleasure of meeting with all-star Steiff collector Holly Greenwell, who just happens to have one of these magnificent rod bears in her collection - and was gracious enough to share her treasure with the Steifflife readers! Let's get "up close and personal" with her "Roddy" and take a once in a lifetime look at many of his details that truly put him in a class of his own!

Well hello, handsome! Here we have Roddy in all of his glory. He is quite large, about 35 cm sitting and 50 cm standing! His "official" Steiff identification is 35PB. He is in absolutely beautiful condition. Holly added his collar, but everything else about him is period, including his chest tag.

Face it, you are captured by his charms! Roddy has large black wooden shoe button eyes and a gutta-percha nose.

He's also totally buttoned up - check out his elephant button, the first ever used by the company! Also check out his mohair in this close up shot. It is very glossy, soft, and shiny. He has full mohair coverage.

Tag, you're it. Here you can see Roddy's original period chest tag. Steiff used various paper tags to identify their items from 1897 through 1904; they were attached via stitching or strings. Because the paper is very frail, Roddy's is kept in a plastic sleeve to protect it.

The nose knows, for sure. Here is a close up of Roddy's gutta-percha nose. Each of these was created by hand, one at a time. Its asymmetry, nicks, and fingerprints make each one truly one of a kind.

Grin and bear it. It is interesting to note that Roddy's simple mouth is hand embroidered with tan floss...

...while the five claws on each of his hands and feet are embroidered in black.

Mighty big shoes to fill.... Roddy has very large, narrow feet, typical of turn of last century Steiff bears. Proportionally, the total height of the bear standing should be five times the length of the feet, toe to heel.

Always ready to lend a hand. Roddy has distinctive spoon shaped wrists and paw pads. His felt paw pads are in remarkable condition given how susceptible these areas are to pesky moths and other pests.

Don't get out of joint about this, but if you look really closely you can see the metal rod joining - and jointing - Roddy's leg to his body.

Attention! Here you can see Roddy's early and important proportions in profile: his large and elegant head, chunky body, long arms and legs, and distinctly thin and curved ankles and wrists.

Finally, let's get back to basics. Roddy clearly can't take a bad picture, regardless of the angle. Here you can clearly see Roddy's curvy back, joint placement, and low and parallel ear placement - all typical features of the earliest Steiff bears.

Steiffgal hopes this head to toe study of one of Steiff's finest creations has forever "jointed" you at the hip with this wonderful brand!

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more!

Steiff Teddy Hugs and Aloha from Waikoloa, Hawaii!

2011-12-06T20:39:00.001-05:00

Teddy hugs and aloha from The Big Island, Hawaii! Steiffgal is having such a delightful time here that her traveling companions insisted on putting together a little diary so friends around the world could see how fantastic this vacation destination truly is! Our tour guides today are Sunny, a mid-1950's era blond Teddy baby, and Pipsqueak, a late 1930's panda. Readers may recognize Sunny as the host of another Steifflife travel diary from Hollywood, Florida. This is Pipsqueak's blog host debut. So, without further ado, let's get started!

Flowers are everywhere here, and this one particularly caught the team's eye given it's "Steiffy" colors of red and yellow. Sunny and Pipsqueak pose with a large and lovely native hibiscus.

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas, even around these tropical parts. Here Sunny and Pipsqueak pretend to drive the Christmas Express train featured at the Queen's Shops at the Waikoloa Beach Resort.

It's no fish tale that koi ponds are very big on the Big Island. If you look closely you can see some very large - some as big as 18 inches! - orange fish in the water behind our wonder cubs.

It's easy to fit in while you're on holiday! Here Sunny and Pipsqueak welcome visitors to the Hilton Waikoloa Village, a wonderful resort with so much to see and do!

Two Shirley Temples, please! Sunny and Pipsqueak really enjoy hanging out by the poolside bar and chatting with the other vacationers. Needless to say, they made alot of friends very quickly.

Just along for the ride... Sunny and Pipsqueak and a little boy friend enjoy a pretend adventure on the back of a supremely large fish. The hotel featured delightful and playful sculptures like these all over its very large campus.

A little to the left, please... the Hilton Waikoloa Village also features many spa services, including specialty massages. Here Sunny and Pipsqueak get ready for their very own "cub-rub."

Water, water everywhere. Sunny and Pipsqueak check out the pool rules. So far, so good...

Hum. Well, maybe not. This depth definitely presents a challenge to our little friends!

Every vacation photo seems as perfect as a postcard, especially those that feature Sunny and Pipsqueak. Here our sweet friends pose on a little bridge that connects the hotel's lagoon and pools to the main hotel building area.

Larger than life! Here Sunny and Pipsqueak mouse around with a huge statue of a dressed rodent. One of the pool areas featured all the characters of the Chinese Zodiac, but our cubs felt this particular one stood out head and shoulders above the rest.

It's easy to feel playful on vacation, especially when it's 80 degrees with gentle winds and no humidity! Sunny and Pipsqueak discover an outdoor version of Konane, a traditional Hawaiian form of checkers that uses lava and coral as game pieces.

So we've come to the peaceful end of our tour - the same place where many Hawaiians say "goodbye" to the sun each day. Sunny and Pipsqueak get cozy with a giant Buddha who is located at "Buddha Point." Visitors gather at this location each night with snacks and cocktails to watch the island's magnificent sunsets.

Steiffgal, Sunny, and Pipsqueak hope you enjoyed this little travelogue from the Big Island. Mahalo!

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

This Steiff Riding Lion Is Clearly The Mane Event

2011-12-02T20:53:00.001-05:00

Talk about the mane event! Many collectors particularly favor Steiff's big cats - tigers, lions, and leopards - and for good reason. The company has excelled at producing them since the late 1800's! So take a look at this note from a reader who recently adopted one of these vintage jungle gems into her hug, and wants to know all about him. Colleen writes...

"Steiffgal,

This Steiff Riding Lion was purchased by my neighbor at the factory when they visited Germany probably 40 years ago or longer. She allowed her children to use it as a toy when they were little and she recently sold it to my husband when she was cleaning out her house in an effort to get ready to sell as her husband passed away. She herself purchased it. She said there originally was a tag in the ear or somewhere, but she knows her kids probably removed it. I can't seem to find it.

As you will see from the photos this guy has been "well loved" and enjoyed. He is approx. 20" tall at the top of his head and 25" long from the tip of his nose to the end of his bottom. His fur is not in good shape on his mane, but the rest of him is in fairly good condition for a toy of his age. He has been sewn back together along the top of his back, or possibly that was how he was sewn originally and the matting of his fur shows it now.

He has a very solid handle on his back that the children would hold onto as they rode him and he does have a pull string for his growler. The growler does work and the wheels on his base are in very good condition. He is well attached to the base. He may have no value to anyone other then myself. To be able to enjoy his beauty and know where he has been and where he came from is all the pleasure I need. I just thought you may know more about him that I would enjoy hearing about.

Thank you in advance for any info you have to share and for taking the time to look at my new Steiff friend!

Best, Colleen"

As to be expected, Steiffgal is roaring to help out here! What Colleen has here is called Reit Loewe or Riding Lion. He is standing; his body is made from short blond mohair while his most impressive mane, tail tip, and underbelly is made from from very long, brown tipped mohair. He is mounted on a metal carriage that rolls along on metal disc wheels with rubber tires. He has a grip handle and a cord-activated voice, meaning you would pull the string and he would "growl." It is interesting to note that he has an internal metal frame, adding to his stability. This is the same construction method that Steiff has used for decades in producing many of its "life sized" or studio animals. This particular design was produced in 43 and 50 cm from 1949 through 1966; Colleen's lion is the 50 cm version.

This big boy has been king of the jungle for a very long time. The first Steiff lion on wheels appeared in the catalog as early as 1894 and was made from felt! Colleen's lion design is based on a standing riding/pull lion introduced in 1909. This early model was made from mohair and appeared in 22, 28, 35, 43, and 50 cm through 1919. Then in 1925, Steiff updated the design slightly and produced the piece with a cord activated voice (which is like the metal ringed item just below the grip handle pictured here on the left). This model appeared through 1943. When the factory reopened post war for business in the late 1940's, Riding Lion was one of the first items to be produced... probably due to its handsome good looks and proven sales success! In 2007, Steiff produced a replica of their 1909 version as a worldwide limited edition; it is no surprise it was a huge hit and sold out almost immediately.

Now there's no need for any lion about this collectible's value. As always, Steiffgal is not a formal appraiser and believes something is worth what someone will pay. This is a lovely and classic design, with a legacy that touches back more than 100 years. And animals on wheels hold a very special place with certain collectors, who love to display them with other Steiff friends as riders. However, the piece lacks ID and appears to be well loved in ways that are complicated if not impossible for restoration. That all considered, Steiffgal would value this item in the $150 to $300 range.

Steiffgal hopes this discussion about Colleen's riding lion has been a pure joy ride for you.

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures, wheeled or otherwise? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

Putting a "Spot" Light On These Rare Steiff Disney Dalmatians

2011-11-25T21:39:00.001-05:00

It's easy to keep Steiff in the spotlight, and nobody can do that better than these two fantastic - and famous dogs! After many years of searching, Steiffgal finally welcomed this pair of "spotty dotties" into her Steiff hug. Take a look at these "movie star" calibre Steiff canines and see what makes them so interesting from the collector's perspective.

These paparazzi-worthy pups are none other than Rolly Dalmatiner or Rolly Dalmatian. Both are standing, unjointed, and made from white mohair that has been carefully hand-painted with black spots. Each has sweet, playful and baby-like appearance, and wears a red leather collar. Rolly was made in 12 and 22 cm in 1962 only.

These delightful Rolly dogs have several very interesting design features that may not be apparent from just their photographs.

First, their eyeballs, which are made from two distinct parts. The pupils are made from a black plastic disk which has been inserted into the white plastic backing - not merely just painted or printed on. You can feel the ridge where the two parts meet with your finger. Both the small and large versions have these dual part eyeballs.
Second, the backing of the eyes on the larger Rolly. Big Rolly's eyeballs are placed over a circle of off-white, shiny plastic material. The only other Steiff item Steiffgal can think of that uses a similar material are the funny little teeth lining the bill of Piccy Pelican, who was produced from 1959 through 1961.
Finally, the nose on the larger Rolly, which is lovely, circular, dimensional, and made from black velvet. Although Steiffgal can think of several dogs of the same period with velvet muzzles, most had black hand embroidered noses. A velvet nose is a most unusual detail for a Steiff animal.

Rolly is top dog in Disney’s classic animated movie, “101 Dalmatians.” This family favorite flick debuted in 1961 and was based on the 1956 book “The Hundred and One Dalmatians” by Dodie Smith. Rolly was of the named baby Dalmatians in the movie, which introduced the world to puppy parents Pongo and Perdita and perhaps the meanest Disney villain ever, Cruella de Vil. Actress Barbara Baird was the voice behind Rolly. As a point of trivia, Disney animators gave each Dalmatian puppy exactly 32 spots—truly confirming their status as "Disney calibre Dalmatians."

Steiffgal hopes this Dalmatian discussion has connected the dots surrounding Rolly's history, design, and Steiff legacy.

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures, spotted or otherwise? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

A Royal Steiff Auction Find Worthy Of A Crown!

2011-11-20T14:43:00.001-05:00

As a collector, it's easy to feel like royalty when you add a Steiff item to your collection that you only dreamed of some day owning! Such is the case with an enthusiast from Germany who shares their excitement over a recent auction win. Karim from Frankfurt writes...

"Steiffgal,

My name is Karim, I am 42, and am from Frankfurt. I really love vintage Steiff pets. Today I write to you because I just bought my very first real vintage Steiff item in the autumn auction of www.poestgens.de here in Germany. My other Steiff pets, a couple of bears and others, are "just" limited editions and replicas.

Last October I flew to London to join "the auction of the century" at Christies in South Kensington. There I felt in love with the 1911 Caesar dog in the catalogue which Steiff produced after the death of King Edward.

That's why I was so touched by item #2141 in the October Poestgens auction catalogue. This lot was described just as "Steiff Hund, Vorkrieg, 22 cm" and in very beloved condition. Clearly the condition was not nearly as pristine as the one from the Greenwood collection. As you can see on the pictures he still has his collar but not his tag which would have read "E. VII Caesar". Nevertheless I was impressed by this little fellow's aura when I unpacked the parcel today.

Do you think he really is an original Caesar?

Thank you so much for your help!

Best, Karim"

Karim, what a blue ribbon find and congratulations on your keen eye! Yes, indeed, your new old friend is a rare and wonderful Steiff Caesar. The Steiff Caesar you describe at Christie's sale 5035, which was held in October, 2010, had an initial estimate of $800 to $1,275 and sold for $1,088 (including the buyer's premium). It is easy to understand why you would fall for such a handsome fellow! Here is the Christie's dog, pictured on the left.

Caesar has looks as distinctive as his personality and the story behind him. He is five ways jointed and made from white and black mohair. He has a sweet black hand embroidered mouth and nose and black shading around his brown and black pupil eyes. His ears are lined in black fabric, and he has distinctive black claws on each of paws. Originally he came with a thick brown leather collar. Attached to the collar was a double sided brass medallion, which had the words "STEIFF CAESAR" on the front and "E.Vll. 1910" on the back. This tag is pictured above. Steiff produced this wire haired terrier from 1910 through 1917 in 22, 25, and 28 cm. In 1916 and 1917, the 25 cm version was produced with movable glass eyes, which allowed him to exhibit numerous funny facial expressions.

So dog-gonnit, just who was this princely pup? None other than the best friend of King Edward VII. Caesar was born in 1898 and bred by wire haired terrier enthusiast, the Duchess of Newcastle. Although the king had many dogs, Caesar was by far his favorite. He was his constant companion and they frequently traveled together. Caesar was famous, or infamous, for his canine antics (including running away!) as as such, wore a medallion on his collar that read "I am Caesar. I belong to the King", insuring that eventually he would always "find his way home." When the King died in 1910, it is said that Caesar, who was already well known for his doggie drama, exhibited sad and depressed behavior throughout the entire burial preparation period and funeral event. He appeared to stay in mourning for many months afterward as well by not eating or drinking adequately, and showing uncharacteristic behaviors. Four years later, Caesar died and was buried on the grounds of Marlborough House. His headstone reads...

"Our beloved Caesar who was the King's Faithful and Constant Companion until Death and My Greatest Comforter in my Loneliness and Sorrow for Four Years after. Died April 18th 1914"

And here's a bonus! Check out this video of the funeral of Edward the 7th. Look closely around the 2:27 mark - you can make out Caesar in the processional. Thank you to Karim for bringing this remarkable piece of history to our attention!

Steiffgal hopes this little lesson on Caesar and his royal history is worthy of a crown.

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures, museum quality or otherwise? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

Getting Into The Swing Of Things With This Remarkable Vintage Steiff Duck

2011-11-13T11:54:00.001-05:00

Just about anyone interested in vintage Steiff couldn't help but go quackers over today's fabulously feathered find! This past weekend, Steiffgal had the enormous honor and pleasure of hosting a Steiff collector's event in Cambridge, Massachusetts at the Cambridge Historical Society. Enthusiasts from five states attended and brought many spectacular treasures from their collections, including "Merry Christmas", a delightful 1920's era Ted; a 1903 era velvet lion with an elephant button; cherished baby kittens from childhood, and many other delightful "friends for life." However, one attendee from Connecticut brought something Steiffgal had never actually seen in person - a Steiff rattle with a twist, literally. Let's take a look at this rarity and see what makes it so interesting and unique from the collector's perspective.

This ducky delight is called a Schwing Ente or Swing Duck. She is made from from white mohair with a double thick felt orange beak and single thick orange felt legs and feet. She has black button eyes which are backed by red felt circles. Her body is unjointed and of a relatively simple design - she appears to be playfully swimming along given the way her legs and feet are angled backwards. Duck is connected to an approximately 6" long brown hardwood handle. With a simple wrist rotation, the duck swings along merrily in a circle and makes a whistling sound while doing so. Swing duck was produced in yellow and white mohair in 10 and 12 cm from 1924 through 1943. Because this particular model has a tiny, 4mm trailing "f" style Steiff button, it is Steiffgal's best guess that it was produced in the very early part of this time frame, as Steiff introduced a larger, 8mm button in 1925.

The collector from Connecticut is one lucky duck finding this great item. Because Swing Duck was designed for exactly that purpose - swinging - is it most unusual to find one in such nice condition that actually still spins and whistles after almost 90 years!

Swing-Ente is a great example of a product line extension based on a Steiff all time best seller. Steiff introduced this basic style of "swimming style" duck in felt in its debut catalog of 1892. In 1914 - 1929, she was produced in mohair in 10, 12, and 14 cm on eccentric wooden wheels as a delightful pull toy. This pattern was also produced as a duck chain (a mother duck with up to five baby ducks trailing along as a pull toy, pictured here on the left) from 1925 - 1936; a hanging baby carriage toy from 1914 - 1933; and as a series of brightly hued "play ducks" from 1926 - 1933. Steiffgal can only find reference to two other models of "swing toys" in the Steiff literature; all are based on birds. These include a 12 cm "swing goose" produced from 1933 - 1934 and a 12 cm "swing chick" produced from 1933 - 1934. Post war, this basic swimming duck design - with a few updates - appeared in the line through 1978.

Steiffgal hopes this discussion on this most unusual swinging chick has made you feel like dancing, too!

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures, museum quality or otherwise? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

Color Your World With This Marvelous Vintage Steiff Clown Doll

2011-11-05T11:09:00.003-04:00

Steiffgal's not clowning around when she says that this recent Steiff inquiry really gave her a good case of the giggles! Check out this note from a reader who asks about a vintage family treasure that can't help but bring a smile to your face as well. Denise writes....

"Hi Steiffgal,

I came across you blog while researching a vintage Steiff Clown that was given to me as a child, and I was wondering if maybe you knew anything about it. I just recently discovered a clown similar to mine online, which was sold in 2001 in the UK.

My clown has the same features and outfit, so I'm pretty sure it's a Coloro clown, which I think was made in the early 1900's. I was wondering if you had anymore information regarding these clowns, such as how many were made, and approximately how valuable they are today. I also recently went to an antique roadshow and they were not able to give me much information or a definite value.

Thanks, Denise"

It looks like the circus has come to town - literally - with this marvelous and rare Steiff clown doll. What Denise has here is indeed Coloro Clown. He is made from felt, fully jointed, and was produced in one size only - 43 cm - from 1911 through 1919. Like typical Steiff dolls of the era, this one has a verticalseam down the middle of his face, a well fitted mohair wig, and black button eyes. This style of doll, which was originally conceived by Richard Steiff at the turn of last century, had comical, exaggerated features – suchas extremely lean or rotund bodies, huge limbs, or cartoon-like faces. As you can tell from the photo, Coloro has really huge feet, which add to his charming and playful look. When he left the factory in Giengen, about a century ago, his clothing was much more brightly colored and he had a matching velvet top hat and black ribbon bows on his shoes. He also did have a neck ruff, but it is impossible to tell from the pictures alone if the one he is wearing now is original.

One of the things that is really interesting about this doll is his particular design origins. This doll, and all of his details, were conceptualized and designed by Steiff designer Albert Schlopsnies. Among many other creative projects, Schlopsnies carefully studied popular circus acts of the time. He then brought back those details to Steiff so they could be integrated into a new and breakthrough group of circus themed products. Coloro was part of this large Steiff "circus series" that included a ringmaster, acrobats, other well attired clowns, and a circus band. With Coloro, every detail of his facial painting and expression, as well as his carefully designed outfit were specified by Schlopsnies. Schlopsnies even designed Coloro's fabric, and made certain that the marching bear fabric detail was front and center on each and every Coloro produced.

Steiff has always shied away from naming and crediting specific designers and artists for items in the line. This is true even today. However, Schlopsnies really hit it off with Richard Steiff, who was his true advocate among the Steiff family. Other family members did not share Richard's enthusiasm for Schlopsnies. Nonetheless, around 1911, "Ilustrirte Zeitung" (Illustrated Newspaper) - a major German publication - wrote of Schlopsnies' designs,

"Schlopsnies's nimble fingers have been responsible for the start of a brand new chapter in Steiff's creative program. New ideas, new designs; each year brings new creations to be added to the pile of Steiff gifts already spilling over the sides of the Christmas table."

The value behind this lovely Coloro clown is no laughing matter. As always, Steiffgal is not a formal appraiser, and strongly believes something is worth what someone will pay. However, given that this lovely clown is quite rare (not many were produced given the extremely labor intensive steps needed for manufacture, plus the very expensive materials required), has his Steiff button, and has visual appeal from the photos, he would be of great interest to vintage Steiff collectors. The Coloro pictured here on the left might be the one referenced by Denise in her note; he sold for about $1,000 in 2001. Given all that, and based on somewhat recent sales of comparable items, the state of the collector's market, and assuming very good to excellent condition, it is Steiffgal's best guesstimate that Denise's Coloro may value in the $1,500 -$1,750 range today.

Steiffgal hopes this discussion on Steiff's Coloro has added a splash of color to your day.

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures, museum quality or otherwise? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

Celebrating Halloween With Steiff's Timeless Black Tom Cats

2011-10-29T21:36:00.000-04:00

It's beginning to feel alot like Christmas here in New England, even though the closest holiday on the calendar is Halloween on October 31st! With 6 inches of early snow predicted for around these parts over the next 24 hours, looks like the trick-or-treaters may choose to dress up as Frosty the Snowman, a polar bear, or even a penguin to collect their goodies this year!

Despite the disconnect in calendar and season, it is still the right time of the year to celebrate one of Steiff's oldest, and most beloved NON-bear characters. Steiffgal here is referring to the company's wonderful black Tom Cat design.

If a pattern could have nine lives - or more - than this "ferocious feline" would more than qualify. The original Tom Cat was produced in both black and white velvet. Both versions were very skinny, standing on all fours, unjointed, and had arched backs, open mouths. They all left the factory in Giengen, Germany wearing a silk ribbon and bell. Black Tom cats were produced in 10, 14, and 17 cm from 1904 through 1918. White Tom cats were produced in 14 and 17 cm for three years only - from 1906 through 1908 - and are exceptionally rare. Steiffgal has never actually seen an early white velvet Tom Cat!

It is interesting to note that this early black velvet Tom Cat was featured standing on top of a red felt fez as a "Tom Cat coffee cozy." This incredibly rare item was produced in 28 and 35 cm from 1908 through 1915.

The next version of this model tip-toed in on little cat's feet in 1923. Like his older brother, this black Tom Cat also was standing and unjointed. He was produced in 8, 10, 14, 17, 22, and 28 cm through 1943; the 8 and 10 cm sizes were made from black velvet while the 14 cm and larger versions were made from mohair. All sizes had prominent green and black glass eyes. Unlike the original super skinny Tom Cat, design, these were all a little more robust in appearance, had closed mouths, and bushy mohair tails regardless of sizes.

Blink - literally - and you might have missed this teeny-tiny pre-war black Steiff woolen miniature Tom Cat. Woolies debuted in the 1931 Steiff catalog in the form of six simple birds. This introduction proved extremely successful, and almost immediately Steiff introduced rabbits, cats, mice, mice, monkeys, ducks and other popular species as woolen miniatures. One of these rarities was an 8 cm black Tom Cat. He was standing and made from Nomotta wool. And like his most recent relatives, also had a large, bushy tail and piercing green and black glass eyes.

Tom Terrific (and I don't mean Tom Brady of the Patriots, here....) quickly hit the markets again once the factory reopened for business post WWII. These Tom Cats were produced from 1950 through 1976 in 8, 10, 14, 17, and 22 cm. These post war models were all but identical to those produced prewar. The 8 and 10 cm "kittens" were made from black velvet while the larger "cats" were made from black mohair. All sizes were standing with arched backs and tails reaching to the sky. Their faces were detailed with pink or red stitched noses, clear mono filament whiskers, and intense green and black pupil eyes.

Gotta hand it to Steiff to recognize a good thing when they saw it. Based on the almost fifty year track record of success of their black Tom Cat design, Steiff introduced "Hand Tom Cat" or black cat puppet in 1952. This puppet was 17 cm tall. His entire body, head, and arms were made from jet black mohair. The puppet is detailed with green and black slit pupil eyes and red hand stitched nose mouth and claws on his paws. Steiffgal has seen these with either a red or salmon colored silk neck ribbons. Hand Tom Cat appeared in the line through 1978. Steiff also produced a 40 cm dangling style Tom Cat named Kalac in 1964 and 1966. This strange, rare, and wonderful oddity is the result of Steiff “marrying” its classic Tom Cat pattern with their trendy and popular (at the time) lulac “leggy” design.

From a collector and historian's perspective, it is most interesting to note that the original black Tom Cat design was featured in a photograph from the 1903 - 1904 Steiff catalog. But what's so special about that? It's the same picture that debuted PB55... the world's first jointed Teddy bear. Timing is everything, eh? A snapshot of this catalog page is shown here on the left; you can spot Tom Cat a little to the right of center standing on top of a donkey on wheels. According to the hand written notes on the photo, these original black Tom Cats were 14.40 Deutchmark per twelve. That is VERY ROUGHLY roughly $0.30 each in 1903, the equivalent of about $7.00 in today's US dollars. This picture is from the Cieslik's fantastic Button in Ear The History of the Teddy Bear and His Friends reference, published in 1989.

Steiffgal wishes all her wonderful readers a frightfully fantastic Halloween and hopes this column on black cats brings nothing but good luck!

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

Going For Gold At The Upcoming Teddy Dorado Steiff Auction!

2011-10-22T16:13:00.000-04:00

Going once! Going twice! Going three times... sold! Hammers down, auctions can be one of the most exciting ways to build a vintage Steiff collection, as well as learn about interesting and special pieces. Steiffgal loves auctions and frequently attends them live as well as watches them online, at websites including www.liveauctioneers.com. One of her favorite auction houses is Teddy Dorado, which offers several vintage Steiff auctions per year. Their next auction is October 29th in Bonn, Germany, but anyone can participate from anywhere in the world by submitting their bids in advance! After studying the online catalog, here are Steiffgal's top three favorite items in the auction... and why!

Imagine the Teddy hugs from this big bruin?

Bear with her as Steiffgal gets all warm and fuzzy over this first top pick. Here we have a simply marvelous 50 cm sitting and 70 cm standing Steiff Teddy bear that dates from around 1912 through 1920. His article number is 5350. This gentle giant is five ways jointed, made from blond mohair, and firmly stuffed with excelsior. His face is detailed with large brown and black glass pupil eyes and a black hand embroidered nose and mouth. His black claws are also hand embroidered. He has the delightful proportions of an early Steiff Ted including long narrow limbs, curved wrists, large feet, and a big back hump. He retains his 8mm long trailing "f" button and a little scrap of his white ear tag. Overall, this pattern was produced in white, blond, and brown mohair from 1905 through 1933 in 10, 15, 18, 22, 25, 30, 32, 35, 40, 46, 50, 60, 70, and 115 cm.

Why this piece is special... For Steiffgal, this piece could be the "older brother" of her own beloved "Teddy Blum" who was produced in the late 1920's or early 1930's but shares the same look and facial expression. Family is key, even when it comes to bears!

22 cm Steiff Rooster on wheels from 1916-1929

The next auction highlight really rules the roost. Here we have Steiff's fine feathered felt rooster on wheels. This barnyard buddy is 22 cm tall on his own and 25 cm including his carriage. His body is made from gold, red, and green colored felt, while his tail is a spray of green feathers. His face is detailed with a red felt comb and wattle and and black glass eyes backed by white felt. His legs are made from tan felt that is supported by an internal metal frame. Rooster rides on a black metal carriage which runs on four brown eccentric wooden wheels - meaning that he sways to and fro when pulled along. Rooster retains his tiny 4mm long trailing "f" button and his original pull cord. Overall, this roving rooster was produced in 12 and 22 cm from 1916 through 1929.

What was that? <3

Why this piece is special... This marvelously preserved example is based on a felt rooster design that debuted in the charter catalog of 1892 and was produced continuously through 1929 - giving it a special and unique history and legacy. This original felt rooster was produced in 12, 22, 28, and 35 cm; a matching felt hen was also made in the same time frame. Steiffgal can only imagine the look on her pugs' faces if this sweet mobile rooster rolled past them... absolutely priceless!

Early 1930's Teddy Baby with delightful mohair

Oh baby, Steiffgal could argue that she saved the best for last when it comes to this review of auction highlights. Here we have a 41 cm standing and 32 cm sitting Teddy Baby from 1930 through 1933. This beaming baby is five ways jointed, stuffed firmly with excelsior, and made from dark brown mohair that has lighted up over time, giving the appearance of being tipped. His facial insert and feet are made from blond mohair. His open mouth is lined in peach colored felt. Baby's face is detailed with brown and black pupil eyes and a dark brown hand embroidered nose. His claws are also dark brown and hand embroidered. Teddy Baby is wearing a red leather collar that sports one long trailing "f" button and ten silver colored studs. He retains his 8mm long trailing "f" button and a bit of his original red ear tag.

Teddy Baby has been produced in a number of slightly varying designs over the years. This particular brown example was made in 9, 12, 13, 15, 20, 22, 25, 30, 35, 38, 40, 45, and 65 cm from 1930 through 1943. However, all Steiff Teddy Baby bears have three things in common: a distinctive, well defined muzzle; flat, broad, clawed feet made for standing; and sweet, toddler-like features.

Why this piece is special... Steiffgal has a thing... ok, an obsession, over Teddy babies. One of the things that makes this design so collectible is that because of its somewhat complicated facial construction, no two ever truly look alike. So you can simply never have enough of these charming cubs!

Steiffgal hopes this review of her picks for Teddy Dorado's upcoming auction bids your seal of approval.

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

Special Steiff Collector's Event Scheduled For November 12, 2011!

2011-10-19T20:44:00.001-04:00

Come Enjoy a Celebration Designed by

Steiff Collectors for Steiff Collectors!

Announcing the 2011 Steiff Teddy Bear Lover’s Event

Saturday, November 12, 2011

2:00pm – 4:00pm

The Cambridge Historical Society

159 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA

Free Street Parking!

Hosted by Rebekah Kaufman (also known as Steiffgal)

With Special Guest Jim Pitocco, President, Steiff North America

Highlights of the celebration include:

• A review of Steiff’s delightful 2011 line plus a sneak peak at 2012 highlights

• A discussion of Steiff’s “rare bears” through the 1960’s

• A visit with “Lou”, a 14” 1905 blank button white cub in like-new condition

• A Steiff appraisal and valuation clinic – limit of 3 items per guest

Enjoy viewing a display of unusual, non-cataloged Steiff oddities from the 1920’s onward while enjoying seasonal refreshments.

New Steiff items available for purchase! Renew your membership or sign up for the Steiff Club on the spot. Goodie bags for the first 75 guests!

Bring yourself, your favorite Steiff item in your collection for “show and tell”, and a human friend, too!

The event is free, but you must RSVP by November 8th to Carolyn at Carolyn@steiffusa.com or 401-312-0080, x 221.

Looking forward to meeting you!

Looking For Steiff... In All The RIGHT Places!

2011-10-16T14:09:00.000-04:00

There's almost nothing Steiffgal would rather do than spend a day at a big antiques show hunting for Steiff treasures. And one of the best places to do so here in New England is the annual October antiques weekend in Wilmington, MA, which is put on by New England Antiques Shows. So let's take a Steiff safari and check out some of the button-in-ear highlights spotted at this great event!

We are off to the races with this find that Steiffgal spotted in one of the very first booths she visited. Here we have Steiff's 14 cm Nachzieh Tabby or Pull Toy Tabby. She is standing on all fours, unjointed, and made from white mohair that has been hand airbrushed with black stripes. She has green and black slit pupil eyes and a very sweet pink hand embroidered nose and mouth. And check out her red claws! Tabby even has a few of her mono filament whiskers left. This cat is mounted on a black metal carriage on red wooden eccentric wheels, meaning that she sways to-and-fro when pulled gently along. This specific model of Rolling Tabby was produced in 10, 14, and 17 cm from 1949 through 1969; the combination of her raised script button and US Zone tag put her production in the approximately 1952 through 1953 time frame.

These next two items spotted at the show truly stand - and deliver.

The first is Steiff's famous little stinker, Skunk. He is 10 cm, unjointed, and standing. His lower body is made of elegant black velvet. The top of his body is white mohair that has been highlighted with black airbrushing. His robust tail is made from long, black and white mohair. His small ears are made from round mohair circles. His face is detailed with tiny black and brown pupil eyes and a pink hand embroidered nose and mouth. This smelly sweetheart was manufactured in 10 and 25 cm in 1962 and 1963, and is considered highly collectible by Steiff enthusiasts due to his short time in the Steiff catalog. This particular skunk is unusual because its ear tag identification number does not correspond with those in standard reference books, plus it also notes that the covering is 100% cotton, which doesn't account in any way for his mohair surfaces.

The second may jog your memory a bit. Here we have Steiff's standing on all fours Igel Joggi or hedgehog Joggi. Joggi is 12 cm and unjointed. His top is made from very long, almost prickly style mohair, similar to the hair on Steiff's famous hedgehog family, headed by Micki and Mecki. His face and underbelly are made from short white mohair. Joggi has tiny double thick white felt feet. His face is detailed with little pink felt ears, black button eyes, and a tiny black hand embroidered nose. Joggi was made from 1961 through 1966 only and is considered quite rare.

Keeping things field and forest focused, here is our next find on this Steiff safari. Here we have Diggy Dachs, or Diggy Badger. Diggy is standing on all fours, unjointed, and made from black, white, and brown tipped mohair. One of his great features are his little felt finger and toenails, which remind Steiffgal of those on another Steiff rarity of the same time, Zooby the bear. Diggy was made in 10 and 17 cm from 1963 through 1964 only.

Things are better together, and this final find certainly proves that. Here we have two adorable 1970's era Steiff "Masked Teddies." Both are made from blond mohair and five ways jointed. They have brown and black pupil eyes, black hand stitched noses and mouths, and felt hand and paw pads. Overall, this popular and beloved pattern was made from 1968 through 1990 and came in white, tan, caramel, and brown in sizes ranging from 9 to 100 cm. They are called Mask Teddies because of their well defined, masked shaped facial areas.

Steiffgal hopes you enjoyed this virtual Steiff safari - and that it has inspired you to join the hunt for these wonderful treasures where ever you may be!

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

This Steiff Sealyham Comes Sealed With A Kiss

2011-10-08T16:34:00.000-04:00

Steiffgal is suffering from a bad case of "puppy love" based on a recent vintage acquisition! She was fortunate to receive a small collection of early 1950's-era Steiff collectibles from a woman in her 60's who was looking to downsize - but insure her items ended up in a Steiff loving home. One of these treasures was a medium sized dog with an interesting arrangement of IDs. Take a look at this precious pooch and see what makes him so interesting from a collector's perspective.

This precious dog has enormous "seal" - appeal! Here we have Steiff's early post WW2 Sealyham. He is about 6.5" (17 cm) tall by 12" (30 cm) long. Sealyham is standing on all fours, made from white mohair, and is head jointed. His ears are lined in tan felt which has been airbrushed with pink highlights. He has round glass brown and black pupil eyes. His muzzle is detailed with a black hand stitched nose and mouth; he has a spot of red airbrushing on the tip of his lips. This particular Sealyham model was produced in 10, 14, 17, 22, 25, 28, and 35 cm from 1949 through 1957.

So, just how old is this white wonder in "dog years?" His unique combination of ID makes it easy to determine. He has a "watermelon" shaped, angular bear faced chest tag with red imprinted letters. This tag is pictured on the far left of the illustration above. This tag was used from 1928 through 1952. He also has a white linen "made in the US Zone" tag; this ID was required on all Steiff exports between 1947 and 1953. This tag is pictured in the center above. Finally, he has a plain, blank 7 mm steel button in ear; this unusual button was used between 1948 and 1950. This button is pictured on the far right. If you dovetail all of these dates, he most certainly left the factory in Giengen, Germany between 1948 and 1950.

Sealyhams have a long - and consistent - tradition in the Steiff line. Both standing and sitting white mohair versions debuted in 1930. The standing version came in 8 sizes ranging from 8 to 35 cm and appeared through 1943. The sitting version came in 6 sizes ranging from 8 to 25 cm and appeared through 1939. Pre-1943, Steiff produced numerous Sealyhams on wheels, a few nomotta wool woolen miniature or "woolie" Sealyhams, and a 30 cm Sealyham Nachthemdentasche - or Sealyham night dress bag. Sealyhams were produced again immediately after the factory reopened for business in the late 1940's. However, only standing examples were produced. These models, which appeared through 1957, had very minor if any changes in fundamental design from the model launched in 1930. A sweet 10 cm Steiff Sealyham from the mid 1950's is pictured here on the left.

Steiffgal hopes this discussion of this relatively rare Steiff pooch has met with your seal (-yham) of approval.

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

Blanking Out In Excitement Over This Phenomenal Early Steiff Bear

2011-10-01T13:24:00.000-04:00

Boom! That was the sound of Steiffgal practically hitting the floor when she got this inquiry about this exciting and marvelous family treasure. Take a look at this note from a reader from Florida, who asks about a turn of last century Ted that has been in her family for three decades. Tamie writes, through a series of correspondences....

"Hi Steiffgal,

My father-in-law has a Steiff bear that he purchased in an estate auction 30+ years ago. He actually bought a trunk and this bear was tucked inside of it, so he was a free "bonus" to the sale.

Could you look at the pictures and tell me what you think? The bear is in very good condition - no rips or tears. He is 11" sitting and 16" standing. The stitching on his nose is light brown in color, and he has a tiny black button in his ear. His ear tag is white and has the numbers 5328 on it.

He won first place at a teddy bear party in Kennebunkport, ME years ago. It was at this event that the grandson of Mr. Steiff signed his foot.

Thanks, Tamie"

Tamie, how you describe this bear coming into your family's life is the ultimate fantasy for most Steiff collectors! What we have here is a simply outstanding example of an early 20th century Steiff bear. He is made from mohair, five ways jointed, and has black wooden shoe button eyes. The fact that his facial and paw/claw stitching is brown (which has faded a bit over time) means that this bear is actually white. Early blond Steiff bears had black facial and paw/claw stitching. His paw pads are felt and seem to be in remarkable condition for his age. This bear has the classic Steiff proportions and look of an early 1900's bear. This particular cub pattern was produced in blond and white from 1905 through 1933 in 10, 15, 18, 22, 25, 30, 32, 35, 40, 46, 50, 60, 70, and 115 cm.

It's never nice to ask someone their age, but this particular bear wears it right on his - well - ear! Because Tamie's bear has such distinctive ID, it is possible to figure out within a FEW MONTHS when he left the factory in Giengen, Germany. His button, which is blank, 6 mm in diameter, and made from nickel plated iron, was only used between 1905 and 1906. It also appears that his white ear tag is the earliest version of this form of ID, and was used between 1905 and 1908. The tag has the article number of the bear (5328 meaning jointed, mohair, and 28 cm sitting) and the German word "geschutzt" which means "patented." If you dovetail the dating of his blank button and his white tag, it becomes clear that he was made in the 1905 to 1906 time frame. We should all look so good at around 105+ years old!

Now for the "fill in the blank" question - his value. As always, Steiffgal is not a formal appraiser and believes something is worth what someone will pay. In this particular case, time does equal money when it comes to his fair market value! Based on relatively recent sales of other turn of last century white Steiff bears, (and without seeing the bear firsthand...) Steiffgal best estimates that this bear would bring $5,500 to $7,500 at retail today.

Steiffgal hopes this discussion on Tamie's blank buttoned beauty has been a pleasant earful for you.

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

Casting A Spell On This Darling Steiff Dachshund

2011-09-25T15:57:00.002-04:00

What's in a (Steiff) name? Sometimes big secrets! Check out this note from a reader who asks about a beloved childhood friend with a most interesting moniker. Tricia writes...

"Hi!

I'm hoping you can tell me if this is a Steiff Hexie dog.

I've had it since I was a very little girl and don't remember it ever having that tag on it. Other than that, it's in really good shape.

Your opinion would be greatly appreciated! Regards, Tricia"

Gotta give Tricia the "Best In Show" for correctly identifying her darling doggie as Hexie. This precious pooch is standing and made from short tan colored mohair that is accentuated with darker airbrushed highlights on his back, chest, and head. Hexie's face is detailed with large, comical black and white google eyes and a hand embroidered nose and mouth. All Hexies left the factory in Giengen, Germany with a red collar. Overall, Hexie was produced in 9, 13, 20, and 25 cm from 1954 through 1974. A 50 cm "studio" lifesized version was produced in 1960 only; this particular piece is very rare and on many collector's wish lists.

Hexie is a popular and beloved Steiff design that is often confused with another darling Dachshund. Around 1949-1950, Steiff introduced their first named postwar Doxie named Bazi. Bazi was produced both sitting and standing, as well as on wheels. The standing mohair version of Bazi was produced in 10 and 14 cm from 1950 through 1975. The biggest and most obvious difference between Hexie and Bazi are their eyes. Hexie has goofy black and white google eyes, while Bazi has amber and black pupil eyes. In general, Bazi is more lifelike than Hexie with "real dog" proportions. The picture above shows a 10 cm Bazi (left) and 9 cm Hexie (right) for comparison.

So what's going on with the name game here? It is interesting that this small and playful dog is named "Hexie." In German, the world "Hexe" means "witch". It is Steiffgal's very best guess that the name "Hexie" is based on a derivative of the word "Hexe." Perhaps this Doxie is being "celebrated" for her ability to cast a loving (or mischievous...) spell on her owners.

Steiffgal hopes this discussion of Steiff's Hexie has been a wickedly fun and interesting experience for you.

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

A Tiny Steiff Pup With A Hugely Mysterious Past

2011-09-17T12:30:00.000-04:00

Little things can make big news, and that's just what happened here this week. Steiffgal was fortunate enough to win a somewhat "mystery" collection of Steiff items at a local sale. When she went to pick up her stash at the auction house, she was over the moon when she discovered what actually was in the lot... wonderful, pristine treasures from the 1920 through 1950 time frame! Here is one of the more interesting - and puzzling - goodies from the collection. Take a look at this tiny dog and see why he is so interesting from the collector's and historical perspectives.

Size defies when it comes to this little pup. What we have here is a 7 cm, standing, unjointed Fox Terrier named "Fox". He is made from white mohair which is airbrushed with black and gold at the tip of his tail and around his eye. His ears are black mohair. He has brown and black pupil eyes and a simple black hand embroidered nose and mouth. The tips of his lips are highlighted with a dot of red. He has his original salmon colored silk ribbon and is in all but like new condition.

OK, so far, so good.. now here's where it gets less, well, black and white! Fox's ID and design and date of manufacture do not line up at all. It's time to call in the Steiff detectives.... here's why!

1. Known ID: Fox has a white linen US Zone tag (almost as big as he is!) sewn into his front leg seam. This "dates" him from the very late 1940's through around 1952. His predominantly red chest tag dates him from 1928 through 1952. He has a tiny short trailing "F" button, which was used on items from around 1933 through the very early 1950's.

What this means: Technically, the US Zone tag and chest tag trump here, as these would be the most concrete proof that he "hit the market" no later than 1952.

2. Unknown ID: Fox's crisp ear tag is made from off-white linen. The exact wording and spacing on it does not match up with any other examples of ear tags Steiffgal can find in any of her many reference books.

What this means: Hum, the color and the detailing of the tag are interesting for sure, but don't help much in dating the piece!

3. Design: Fox Terriers have always been an important part of the Steiff line. Their design has changed over time, making it somewhat easier to date them. In the 1920 to mid 1940's time frame, Steiff had several tiny standing mohair Fox Terriers in the line. Importantly, most had black mohair ears regardless of size. From 1949 onward, Steiff standing Fox Terriers had dark tan ears, and the smaller ones in the series had tan felt ears. You can see the fundamental differences in design between these two Fox Terrier patterns here on the left.

What this means: It appears that despite the dating of his ID, this piece was manufactured before the factory closed for the war in the mid 1940's.

So just who is this perfect and petite pooch? It is Steiffgal's best guess that this tiny treasure is Steiff's "Fox" design from 1933 through 1943. This item was made in 7, 10, 14, 17, 22, 28, and 35 cm during that time frame. His number, 1307,0, was used on both the pre- and post- war versions of Steiff's Fox Terriers. However, this Fox has black mohair ears and doesn't look anything like his post-war counterpart.

How can this be? The prewar Steiff Fox Terrier was a very popular design, and as a result, Steiff most likely created many of these items and put them in inventory for future sales. In this particular case, Steiff probably made this Fox Terrier under discussion in the late 1930's or early 1940's, and put him in storage. After the war, when the factory was open for business again, the company used some older inventory from storage to get back into the market as quickly as possible. So that may explain his pre-war manufacture and post-war appearance.

In addition, most branding materials were in short supply in the late 1940's, so the factory improvised with a variety of leftover buttons, make-do ear tags, and older chest tags. Everything that left the factory in Giengen in the few years after the war needed a US Zone tag by law. So, it would appear that the company took pieces that were manufactured pre-war and added in the US Zone tag to comply with export rules. So that may explain his unusual combination of ID.

Steiffgal hopes this review of this little Terrier has outfoxed the mystery behind him.

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

Quackers Over This Remarkable Pair of 1920-era Steiff Ducks

2011-09-09T19:43:00.002-04:00

Steiffgal felt like such a lucky duck when she received this inquiry about a pair of fine feathered friends! Check out this note from a new collector from the Midwest who asks about her colorful "daffy ducks!" Lisa writes...

"Hi, Steiffgal,

My name is Lisa and I live in llinois. just started my Steiff collection, and being a bird watcher I naturally gravitated towards Steiff birds. These ducks are 8 inches tall.They stand on two red felt webbed feet. One has a silver 8mm button on the bottom of the foot with a red tag under the button. The other has a hole where the button should have been. I understand the button and tag mean these ducks were made between the years of 1925 to 1935.

I think the body is mohair I don't know enough about what the stuffing would have been to tell you what it is stuffed with. The body is painted or airbrushed to give these birds a three dimensional effect and as you can see the colors are vibrant! The eyes are of glass and remind me of googly eyed dolls made around this time. The necks also swivel!

If you could tell me anything about these birds, I'd be very happy!

Thank You Very Much! Lisa

Oh, P.S. Can't forget those pink ribbons around their necks! The silk is showing its age though."

Steiffgal is totally quackers over these delightful ducks! What Lisa has here is a pair of Steiff's Enten or Ducks. The ducks are standing, brightly colored, and have swivel necks. They are made from delightful "tipped" mohair, meaning that just the ends of the yarn strands have intense coloring. The ducks have red-orange felt beaks and feet and marvelous goofy round black and white glass pupil eyes. Their silk ribbons appear original. These were made in 17, 22, and 28 cm from 1926 through 1929 only. Lisa's 8 inch pair is most likely the 22 cm size that has shrunk a little over time

These ducks have three very typical 1920's era design features that make them really interesting from the collector's perspective.

First, they are "caricatured", meaning that they were designed with exaggerated proportions in order to appear happy, playful, and youthful. Other Steiff well known caricatured items of the same period include Pip the dog, the "Charleston" animals, and Cheerio the laughing puppy. Steiff typically was, and still is, pretty literal when designing and producing their items, but the 1920's saw a flurry of of these comically designed patterns.

Second, they are very brightly colored. Steiff started really adding bold or happy colors not seen in nature to more and more of their product line from the 1920's onward. Good examples of other unusually colored items from around the same time period include King Peng the penguin, jewel toned rabbits, and Teddy Rose.

Thirdly, they have wonderful, google eyes. Steiff has used many different styles of eyes over time, as they can really give an item an unique and distinctive look. One of the very first examples of this was in 1909, when the Steiff chimp was redesigned to have felt eye pockets. It was in the 1920's, around the time of these ducks, Steiff really started experimenting with eye treatments. These duck eyes really say "I'm just a little goofy, wouldn't you agree?" Great examples of other really effective eye treatments of the late 1920's and early 1930's include Treff the bloodhound (the use of eye pockets to give an item a heavy lidded look), Petsy the baby bear (bright blue eyes to give a very youthful appearance), and Siamy the Siamese cat (colbalt blue eyes to give a very exotic appearance).

Steiffgal hopes this discussion about Lisa's caricatured Steiff treasures has helped you get your ducks in a row when it comes to understanding what makes them so marvelous!

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

Don't These Stunning Steiff Cats Turn Your Brown Eyes Blue?

2011-09-03T14:10:00.000-04:00

The fact that each treasure Steiff produces is made lovingly by hand is one of the things that makes collecting vintage Steiff so enjoyable! As a result, every piece truly has a look of its own, even if they started out from the identical pattern! One "purr-fect" design highlights this diversity particularly well. Siamy, the Siamese Cat, is considered the cat's meow to many collectors because of her beauty, intense eyes, and limited time in the line. Let's take a brief look at her history and the variety of appearances she can take.

Although most cats supposedly have nine lives, the original Siamy actually has had only two in the Steiff line. Siamy made her debut in 1930 and was produced in 14, 17, 22, 25, and 30 cm. The next year, this identical pattern was produced with a tail-turns-head mechanism. This early Siamy was made in tan mohair or wool plush. She had a small, vertically hand-stitched, heart-shaped pink nose and a simple pink closed mouth. Perhaps Siamy’s most well-known, outstanding feature was her incredibly intense, cobalt blue glass pupil eyes—making her quite “a looker!” However, despite her popularity and striking good looks, the early sitting version was last noted in the catalog in 1933. The picture on the left shows a 14 cm Siamy from around 1931; she sold at the 2010 Christie's Steiff auction in London for $3,760.

Siamy made another cat-nap long appearance in the Steiff line from 1953 through 1954. She was produced in 11, 15, and 23 cm. In addition to the change in sizes available, the post-war pattern did have a few minor design updates over the pre-war versions. But one thing about her pattern didn’t change one bit over time—she retained her famous trademark blue eyes. The picture here on the left shows a full set of post war Siamy cats from the 2010 Steiff auction at Christie's in London; the lot went for about $1,200. Don't you just love their adorable and innocent "Who, me...?" facial expressions!

Siamy is certainly beautiful, and that beauty can take on many forms. For example, take a look here at this photo of three 15 cm, post war Siamy's from Steiffgal's collection. Despite the fact that they were all made within a two year time period, and from the same pattern, they have very different facial features and "looks" about them. (The eyes here don't count... Steiffgal had to replace the eyes of the one on the far right one as she arrived with tiny brown eyes, not her traditional "baby blues...")

Three details to consider...

1. Nose stitching. In these three examples, nose color stitching ranges from tan, to light brown, to dark brown.

2. Facial coloring. The range of chocolate brown highlighting ranges from the entire face to just the immediate forehead and muzzle, to somewhere in the middle.

3. Mouth. In two cases, Siamy has an open, peach felt lined mouth. In the third case, her mouth is closed.

It appears that Steiffgal has let the cat out of the bag that Steiff is an art, not a science, with this discussion on the company's stellar Siamys!

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

This Steiff Tiger Is One Tall Drink Of Water

2011-08-26T23:44:00.021-04:00

Some classic Steiff designs just seem to have a leg up when it comes to being collector's favorites. For many people, Steiff's "lulac" long-limbed lovelies fit that bill to a "T." Take a look at this note from a reader who has come across an exceptional example of a 1950's Steiff "lulac" style tiger. Janice from Michigan writes:

"Hello Steiffgal:

My name is Janice. I have operated a ladies consignment boutique in Michigan for 10 years and once in a while get my hands on a great estate. I am currently working through an estate of a 80 year old collector of Steiff and many other things.

One of the most unique ones I have found yet is this tiger. He is HUGE! He's approximately 36 inches tall. She purchased him in Las Vegas between 1953 and 1955 and said he was propped up in a gift shop at the Sands hotel there.

He does not have a ear tag, but still has his tag around his neck and is in EXCELLENT condition. Any idea of his value? I have spent over 10 hours trying to investigate him online and throughout some books and and can't find one similar ANYWHERE and I do mean ANYWHERE.

He still has all of stripes, but there is some slight fading on his fur, which is mohair, I believe his eyes are glass too. I wanted to email this to you since you have such a great knowledge about them. If you have ANY information on this guy, can you let me know?

Thanks so much and have a blessed day! Janice"

Steiffgal is seeing stars - but mostly stripes - over this exciting find! The tiger is truly fantastic. He is one of Steiff's "lulac" animals, all which typically have comically long arms, legs and torsos. They are long and lanky, usually five-ways jointed, and have a very playful air about them. It is interesting to note that the German verb “to laugh” is lachen, and the word for smile is lächeln, suggesting that this style was designed to have a comical appearance and to bring a smile to the face of the owner. The original Steiff lulac animal was a rabbit, which debuted in the line in 1952. Due to the success of beautiful bunny, Steiff quickly followed with several additional lulac animal patterns, including Janice's tiger.

But back to this striped sweetie. Janice's tiger is a whopping 90 cm, made from mohair, and five ways jointed. He has delightful glowing green glass eyes, a prominent pink hand embroidered nose, and clear mono-filament whiskers. Steiffgal thinks this particular lulac tiger has a delightful, innocent "toddler" look to him. He was made in 1958 only as an exclusive for the United States. Other extra large (80+ cm) US exclusive lulac designs of this period also included a gray alpaca poodle (pictured here on the left), and a mohair lion.

Now for the tall order of valuing this unusual lulac tiger. As always, Steiffgal is not a formal appraiser and believes something is worth what someone will pay for it. This is a rare and delightful item with universal collector's appeal. Despite no button in ear and the soft "buyer's market - and given he is in very good to excellent condition, with no rips, tears, odors, or structural issues - he probably would sell at auction in the $750-1,000 range today.

Steiffgal hopes this lulac lesson has been so entertaining that you want to go out and shake a leg!

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

Baa, Baa (Steiff) Black Sheep, Have You Any Wool...

2011-08-20T17:48:00.000-04:00

Sometimes it’s ok to be the “black sheep” in a group, especially when it comes to Steiff! Steiffgal recently welcomed one of Steiff’s most distinctive “outsiders” to her hug – a lovely larger sized black lamb called “Swapl.” Steiffgal’s fallen hard for this black beauty, not only for his rarity, but for the traditional and classic details that make up his pattern. Let’s take a look at this lovely lamb and see what makes him so interesting from a design and collector's perspective.

First, a few barnyard basics. This piece is officially known "Swapl Persianer Lamm" or Swapl Persian Lamb. He is 22 cm tall, unjointed, and standing. He was produced in 10, 14, 22, 28, and 35 cm between 1957 and 1964. And it is Steiffgal’s best guess that his name derives from the German words “schaf” meaning sheep, and “schwarz" meaning black.

Now let's take a closer look at three of Swapl's finest design features.

First, it goes without saying that Swapl's material is exceptional. He is made from black wool plush which has a bumpy, "Persian lamb" texture to it. That means that the fibers are tight and curly, and quite concentrated... you can't really see the backing to the fabric because of the wool's density. You can see this unusual material pictured here on the left. It is interesting to note that the only other Steiff animal that Steiffgal can think of with this identical material is "Maidy" the miniature poodle. Maidy appeared in the catalog for one year only - 1959 - which overlaps with Swapl's production timeline. Maidy was produced in 25 and 30 cm and has lovely tri-colored, almond glass eyes.

And speaking of eyes - the "eyes" certainly have it when it comes to Swapl's second outstanding feature. Swapl has lovely, over-sized cobalt blue and black pupil eyes. These peepers are a striking and handsome contrast to his overall dark coloring. Most Steiff sheep have green and black pupil eyes, so it is clear that the designers behind Swapl really wanted to differentiate this pattern from his white-coated cousins. Blue eyes are relatively rare Steiff features. Other famous Steiff designs with similar "baby blues" include Siamy the Siamese Cat (made from 1930 through 1933 in 14, 17, 22, 25, and 30 cm and then again from 1953 through 1954 in 11, 15, and 23 cm) and Mungo the Multicolored Monkey, who was produced in 17, 25, and 35 cm from 1957 through 1971.

Swapl's final distinctive feature in line is just that; the lining of his ears and mouth. These are charmingly detailed in baby pink velvet. Traditionally, Steiff lined the open mouths of its products in peach colored felt, so this choice of material is most unusual. Velvet was frequently the fabric of choice for Steiff at the turn of last century, when velvet dogs, birds, cats, and other staples filled the catalogs at the time. After the factory reopened for business in the late 1940's, velvet was used far more sparingly. It was most commonly used on dog muzzles, including Bully the bulldog (produced from 1951 through 1974 in 10, 17, and 22 cm) and Saras the Boxer (produced from from 1950 through 1970 in sizes ranging from 10 to 22 cm). Velvet also appeared as a sweet detail on some 1950's era cat and rabbit designs, including the velvet muzzles on the black and white "Gussy" cats (produced from 1952 through 1969) and the lining of the ears of the smallest "Niki" rabbits (produced from 1951 through 1964 in 14, 17, 22, 28, and 35 cm.)

Steiffgal hopes this discussion about Swapl the black sheep has given you new appreciation for one of Steiff's more unconventional characters.

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

Hunting For Clues About These Unusual Steiff Dog-Dolls

2011-08-13T14:02:00.000-04:00

It's always fun to hunt for answers about interesting Steiff items. This week's post really takes that charge literally! Since the beginning, Steiff designers have taken many product design ideas right from their immediate surroundings. The Steiff company is located in Giengen, Germany, a picture-perfect pastoral community surrounded by a river, farms, and forests. So it is no surprise that woodland and farm animals have always been quite prominent in the line. Steiff's dolls and doll-animals often reflect the traditional occupations and hobbies of Giengen as well - "hunting" being a key one. Let's take a look at a two vintage Steiff "hunting" rarities and discover the stories behind them.

Let's start guns-ablaze with this Pupp-Waldi als Jaeger, or Waldi Dog as a Hunter. Although this particular piece was produced from 1950 through 1974, he is actually based on an almost identical model from 1937 through 1941. (Click here to see a picture of the pre- and post war Waldi hunter dolls side to side!) Waldi pictured here is 26 cm, standing, and in a little green felt suit, plaid vest, and green hat. He is head jointed. His head and the tops of his hands and feet are mohair, and his body and limbs are made from peach colored felt-like material. When he left the factory, he had a chest tag stitched to his jacket, and a plastic hunting gun on a strap that he could sling over his shoulder. The earlier Waldi Hunter was produced in 22 and 28 cm; he was dressed in an identical fashion but had a wooden gun with a leather strap as an accessory.

Steiff's wonderful original "Waldi" design was introduced to the world in 1933. A long haired Dachshund, he was produced standing on all fours, on wheels, and begging in sizes ranging from 10 though 28 cm through the early 1940's. Given his adorable looks, it is no surprise that he was very popular - and as a result recreated in the form of several early novelties, including a tumbler and this animal doll. Once the factory reopened for business post war in the late 1940's, Waldi again appeared, this time on all fours and on wheels - for several decades - last appearing in 1980.

Keeping up with the pack, here is our second canine-themed hunter, Bazi Doll Boy or Bazili. Bazili appeared in the line from 1950 through 1954; a female version in a matching peasant costume was made at the same time. Bazili is standing and 25 cm tall. Like his cousin the Waldi doll, Bazili is head jointed, standing, and and wears a little green felt suit and hat. His jacket is decorated with three leather buttons. His head and the tops of his hands and feet are mohair, and his body and limbs are made from peach colored felt-like material. When he left the factory, Bazili had a wooden hunting gun on a leather strap that he could sling over his shoulder.

Dachshunds have been an important part of the Steiff line since the 1890's. However, Bazi the short haired Dachshund pattern did not appear until 1949 - one of the early and incredibly popular "pocket pet" items designed to match worldwide demand the collector's needs and interest right after WWII. From the late 1940's through the mid 1970's, in addition to the doll noted above, Bazi appeared sitting, standing, on wheels, and as a music box in sizes ranging from 10 to 25 cm.

So why did Steiff pick dogs - and specifically these two dogs - to be hunters? Both Waldi and Bazi are Dachshunds. The word "dachshund" in German translates into "badger dog", or the dog a hunter would take with him (or her) when they went hunting for these low to the ground, tunneling weasels. So Dachshunds as hunters make perfect Steiff-sense!

Steiffgal hopes this discussion of Steiff's delightful and unusual "hunter dogs" has been right on target for you.

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

Trolling For Answers On An Old Steiff Friend

2011-08-06T13:41:00.000-04:00

Dog-gonit... another question about a Steiff "mystery mutt!" And Steiffgal couldn't be more pleased! Take a look at this inquiry from a reader from "the land down under" concerning a vintage Steiff treasure. Through a series of communications, Vivian from Australia writes...

"Dear Steiffgal,

Hello from way down here in Aus! Wondering if you can help me? This was my husband's childhood toy. He was born in 1946.

It is an original Steiff dog. He still has the button in his ear but sadly he is missing an eye. He is all original and some of his mohair is sparse in patches. He has creamy colored fur, which is spotted all over, and darker, burnt orange colored patches. He measures 12" long plus his tail which is another 5". He is 11" high.

Many thanks for your help!

Vivienne"

What a wonderful question and perfect timing for the dog days of summer we are experiencing around these parts. Although it is impossible to truly identify and value items without seeing them firsthand, Steiffgal thinks what we have here is a rare Steiff dog called Troll because of his eyes, body proportions, and appearance. The biggest clue here, however, is his very unusual spotted mohair material. Troll was made in 17, 22, and 28 cm from 1936 through 1940. Vivienne's Troll has the long trailing "F" button, usually seen on items produced in the 1925 through 1935 time frame. So dovetailing those two facts, Steiffgal thinks that this particular Troll was one of the earlier ones produced, most likely manufactured in the early part of 1936 or so.

As with most things of great quality, Steiff identification is more of an art than a science. Vivienne's Troll does not identically mirror the placement of the patches as seen in the standard Steiff reference books, especially around the facial area. However, is entirely possible that Troll's patches changed slightly from item to item given that he was made by hand, one at a time. This Troll does, however, closely resemble one that was sold at the October, 2010 Steiff auction at Christie's in London. This is pictured here on the left.

Another interesting tidbit about this terrific Troll is his timeline. Troll was produced from 1925 through 1935. Vivienne's husband got this dog as a baby, but he was born in 1946. It is Steiffgal's best guess that he did not receive this as a "new" toy; it was most likely in the family for awhile before he was born.

Steiffgal hopes this post on Troll has you seeing spots over this terrific rarity!

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

Just Who Is This Early 1950's Steiff "Mystery Mutt?"

2011-07-29T21:21:00.000-04:00

There's nothing Steiffgal likes more than a good Steiff mystery, and this one really deserves a blue ribbon! Take a look at this note from a reader who asks about a Steiff "mystery mutt" she is trying to identify - without much luck! Through a series of correspondences, Holly from Hawaii shares....

"Hi Steiffgal...

Could you please take a look at this Steiff dog which I am having trouble identifying. Is he a Chow? A Pomeranian? A Spitz? As for his details, he has a raised script button and a remnant of the white linen US Zone tag. Overall, he measures 6" tall by 6" long.

He has a wonderful smile, and original nose, mouth, and and claw stitching. His fur is made of a woolly plush, which is pinky cream color. He has a cute curly tail and a very perky upward gaze.

Thanks for your help!

Aloha, Holly"

Steiffgal has given this dog-years of thought and here is her best conclusion. What Holly has here is a an unusual wool plush standing Chow Chow, one that to Steiffgal's best knowledge did not appear in the standard line or was pictured in any of the traditional Steiff reference tomes, including the Sortiment books by Gunther Pfeiffer. Steiffgal does not think he is a Pom or a Spitz for three reasons:

There were no Poms or Spitzes produced in the regular line immediately post WWII.
The pre-WWII war Poms and Spitzes don't look anything like Holly's pup, and...
Traditionally, Steiff Poms and Spitzes have their entire faces in short material, the chows have just their muzzles in short material and their eyes on the border of the long and short hair part of the face.

Let's feast on what is known about early 1950's Steiff Chow Chow dogs. Steiff made two models of Chow Chows starting in 1951 - one sitting and one standing. The sitting one, pictured on the left, only came in pure white wool plush in 10 cm; he was in the line through 1957. The standing one, pictured on the right) only came in yellow corn colored wool plush in 12, 17 and 25 cm; he was in the line through 1959. Both patterns had tiny red dots on their lips - most likely as a nod to a tongue. Holly's Chow has this detail as well.

Let's talk about two other features which separate this dog from the rest of the pack. First is size: Holly's dog is 6 inches, which is about is 15 cm. This measurement is not really anywhere close to the standard line item - either 12 or 17 cm. Second is color: he is pinky cream, which may be a variation on the white model, but this lighter shade was ONLY made in a sitting position.

So just what is this curious canine companion? Given the above history, Steiffgal believes he is an uncatalogued, 15 cm wool plush standing Chow Chow from around 1952. The dating is based on the combination of his Steiff raised script button and US Zone tag. His original color may have been white which has darkened slightly over time; it is hard to tell. He may have been a prototype or sample of a Chow Chow that never went into production - a theme and variation on the two models that did make the line in the 1950's. You can see a few basic traces of this early post war Chow Chow design in Steiff's famous and more sophisticated "Laika the Space Dog" pattern which appeared in the line a few years later, in 1958 through 1959.

Steiffgal hopes this chow-fest has satisfied your hunger to learn more about rare and unusual Steiff dogs!

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

No Need To Be Sheepish Over This Great Steiff Find!

2011-07-23T12:50:00.001-04:00

When you think of Steiff's "curly girls", what comes to mind? For many people it may be poodles... but not always! Such is the case of a reader from Spain who recently came across a wonderful Steiff treasure with quite the hairdo! Through a series of correspondences, Moni writes:

"Hi dear friend!

I have just bought this cutie lamb and I have been looking for more information about her. She is made from woolen plush like a real lamb and is about 20.5 cm and tall about 15 cm. Lamb has pretty green glass pupil eyes and a bell which is attached with a very light blue ribbon. Her face is finished with a red stitched-embroidered mouth and nose, and she has delicate pink shadows near her eyes. She is so sweet!

I think she is from around 1920-1930, can you confirm that? I paid $104 for her. I don't know if it is a good price but I'm in love with her since the first moment I saw her!

Once again thank you so much for your help and kind answers,

Big hug from Spain, Moni"

Oh, this lovely lamb could put Steiffgal into a farmyard frenzy! What Moni has here is Steiff's Lamm or Lamb. She is standing, unjointed, and made from lamb's wool plush. Lamb's wool plush has a marvelous, "lumpy-bumpy" texture to it, much like that of a real lamb. Her ribbon and bell look original. This pre-WW2 design was made in 14, 17, 22, and 28 cm from 1928 through 1943. This basic design was also produced in a lying position, on wheels, as a music box, and as a ride on animal. You can see what Moni's lamb, and the lying down version looked like when new, in the photos above.

After the factory reopened for business in the late 1940's, Steiff again produced the pre-war design for awhile. She was also made in plain wool plush, which does not have the "ringlet" texture of lamb's wool plush. In the early 1950's, lamb's core pattern was modified slightly. This is most noteworthy in the face and facial seam construction. Due to her popularity (possibly because she was such a symbol of Easter, a very popular and beloved holiday in Germany!) her size range now included 10, 14, 17, 22, 28, and 35 cm. Her name was changed from Lamm to Lamby from 1954 onward. Lamby appeared in the line until 1976. The "newer" Lamby lamb appears here on the left.

In terms of value, did Moni get a ba-ba-ba bargain on her lamb purchase? As always, Steiffgal is not a formal appraiser and feels something is worth what someone will pay. Given the lamb's excellent condition, somewhat unusual material, classic and desirable pattern, and original ribbon and bell, Steiffgal would would think that she would value in the $200 to $400 range.

Steiffgal hopes this discussion about Moni's barnyard buddy has left you feeling quite pastoral.

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

Less Is More When It Comes To Steiff's Pocket Sized Animal Dolls

2011-07-16T16:46:00.000-04:00

Sometimes less is more, even when it comes to certain Steiff collectibles. (By less, here Steiffgal is referring to size, as it is would be inconceivable to have TOO MANY Steiffs, wouldn't you agree?) In the early 1950's, Steiff introduced a whole new series of pocket sized animal dolls to the world. These were dapperly dressed, 12 cm tall little characters with "humanized" rubber bodies and soft heads of some of the more popular Steiff character designs of the time. Let's take a look at a few of these animal dolls and see what makes them so irresistible from the collector's perspective.

Oh baby, who can resist this bitty bruin named Teddyli? Collectors will recognize his sweet face and head design as that identical to Steiff's classic 9 cm brown mohair Teddy baby. His muzzle is made from tan velvet which is detailed with tiny black and brown pupil eyes, a black hand embroidered nose, and his famous impish smile. He is head jointed only and wears a tan, purple, and green short sleeved cotton shirt and orange felt overalls. The overalls are permanently snapped together with two silver button studs. His shoes are part of his molded rubber legs; they are painted brown and have brown felt soles. Teddyli appeared in the Steiff line from 1955 through 1957.

Let's not monkey around and get to our next adorable animal doll. Here we have Cocoli. He is based on another very popular Steiff design introduced in the 1950's, Coco the green eyed baboon. Coco's head is made from white and black mohair; his face and ears are made from peach colored felt. His face is detailed with amazing airbrush highlighting for a chap of his size! Coco wears a white cotton tee-shirt, a yellow ribbon bow tie, blue felt coat, and red, black, blue, and yellow plaid pants. Like Teddyli, his shoes are part of his molded rubber legs; they are painted black and have brown felt soles. Cocoli appeared in the Steiff line from 1955 through 1957.

This pip-squeak of a Steiff animal doll is known as Pippy mouse. Unlike Teddyli and Cocoli, Pippy is not based on a named Steiff character of the era. Pippy has a gray velvet head and tiny felt ears. His face is detailed with black bead eyes and nose and clear mono-filament whiskers. He is wearing his original long red felt jacket with tails, a grey cotton shirt, black felt pants, and a crimson ribbon. His shoes are part of his molded rubber legs; they are painted grey and have brown felt soles. Pippy was made from 1955 through 1959.

In addition to these tiny treasures, Steiff also created a whole series of 12 cm animal dolls with soft heads and rubber bodies. These included:

Bib and Bibbie, a sweet rabbit couple in the line from 1954 through 1964 dressed in matching country style outfits
Lix and Lixie, his and her kittens in the line from 1954 through 1957 wearing "puss-in-boots style" attire
Quaggi the duck in the line from 1955 through 1959 wearing a little sailor suit
Kiki the chick in the line from 1955 through 1959 wearing a brightly striped cotton dress

Despite their precious appearance and "built Steiff tough" quality, few of these animal dolls survive in good or better condition today. Why? Two reasons... first, they were designed as children's toys for fun and play. They made perfect dollhouse residents and great pocket sized school companions. Play and wear takes a toll on condition and longevity. Secondly, their bodies were made out of rubber, which tends to dry out, crack, and eventually fall apart over time. So structurally, they are not stable over time. It is not terribly unusual now to find one of these dolls minus a limb or two... but unfortunately it is not realistically possible to repair these body parts once they have become brittle or lost to time.

Steiffgal hopes this discussion on Steiff's smallest dapper darlings has you looking - and feeling - great as well!

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

Stirring Up Some "Panda-monium" Over This 1950's Steiff Panda Cub

2011-07-09T18:03:00.002-04:00

Steiffgal doesn't want to "pander" to anyone's love of Steiff's precious panda bears, but she couldn't help herself after receiving this inquiry from a reader from Florida. Check out this note from Peg, who asks about a black and white beauty that she is selling on behalf of a not-for-profit animal hospital. Through a series of correspondences she writes:

"Dear Steiffgal:

After months of searching, I think you might be the Steiff expert I've been looking for. I have a "5315" panda that I am interested in selling. I've been carefully trying to find the best market because whatever money I get for it will go directly into our 501(c)3 animal charity here in Venice, FL.

The panda is more black and tan rather than white due to age, tag in ear is intact, there is a small tear in the back of the ribbon and it is otherwise in good condition. He has grey felt paws.

Any information you would share will be most gratefully appreciated.

Best, Peg"

This is one beautiful and rare bear indeed! What Peg has here is Steiff's beloved five ways jointed early postwar panda. This particular model was made in 15, 22, 28, 35, 43, and 50 cm from 1951 through 1961. He is made from black and white mohair and has an open, peach colored felt lined mouth. His face is detailed with brown and black pupil eyes and a black hand embroidered nose; the black circles around his eyes are airbrushed. It is interesting to note that with this particular model, the 15 cm sizes have a black mohair upper back area; sizes larger than 15 cm have upper back areas that are made from white mohair that are airbrushed black. Additionally, this panda was produced with grey felt paw pads from 1951 through 1956 and suede-like grey rubber material paw pads from 1956 onward.

Age is always a frame of mind and relative - especially with this panda who is hiding his quite well! His identification number, 5315 (which technically refers to 5=jointed, 3 =mohair, and 15 = 15 cm tall) dates his production between 1951 and 1958. His rare and unusual red imprinted chest tag was used from around 1952 through the end of 1953. His raised script button indicates a production time between 1952 through 1969. And the fact that he DOESN'T have a US Zone tag in a leg seam puts him no earlier than mid to late 1953. So... if you dovetail all of those features, it looks like his production can be relatively pinpointed around the second half of 1953.

Now the hard question... about value. As always, Steiffgal is not a formal appraiser and strongly believes that something is worth what someone else would actually pay for it. This is a darling piece in excellent condition. The red imprinted chest tag and the fact that his date can be so precisely determined certainly adds collector's value and interest. The 15 cm pandas are seen the most frequently on the secondary market of all the panda sizes, probably because when they were made, store owners had to buy them wholesale in groups of 6. (For context, for the 22 cm size they came in groups of 4, for the 35 cm size they came in groups of 2, and for the 50 cm size they came in ones only.) That all being said, Steiffgal will venture to say that he could be valued in the $400-500+ range, given his age, condition, and unique ID configuration.

Steiffgal hopes you are not "bamboo-zled" by all the details associated with Peg's wonderful panda!

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures, rare or otherwise? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

Steiff's Version of Christmas In July!

2011-07-02T10:21:00.000-04:00

It feels like Christmas in July, even though the thermometer's hitting the mid-80's around these parts! Why? Because a mysterious, yet jolly bearded man in a cozy red suit has paid a surprise visit to Steiffgal! Check out this note from a reader from down South about a find of hers that's been hiding in plain sight for years! She writes:

"Steiffgal:

I guess you never know what you will find in a drawer but here is Santa who was gently wrapped in tissue for at least 12 years perhaps more. I seem to remember that it belonged to an old girlfriend of mine that passed away over 20 years ago but I am not sure.

Santa stands 14 inches high, is stuffed very hard, and unjointed. He appears to be in mint condition, sort of... you see Santa has lost his head. It is barely attached on the back and it seems as if the glue or stitching has come loose.

In terms of his appearance, his accessories include black leather shoes and a belt. He has beautiful white fur on his red suit and his beard is off-white in color. This Santa is wearing eyeglasses with wire rims. His hat is removable.

For IDs, Santa has a chest tag with a button; the tag reads "Steiff Original 7966/38."

Can you tell me how old this Santa is? I would appreciate any information you might be able to give me.

Thanking you in advance,

Your Faithful Reader"

Santa has always been quite secretive in a number of ways, and this one is no different! Despite extensive searching, Steiffgal could not find any reference to this Santa's ID number in any reference book or online, which is most interesting from a collector's perspective. So its time to do a little "Santa sleuthing!"

First, his age (although it's never polite to ask, or even guess this with most people!) The button used on Santa appears to be the riveted brass button version used from about 1978 onward. His tag style appeared in the line from about 1970 through 1980. So if you overlay these two markers, it becomes clear that this Santa was produced in the 1978 through 1980 timeframe.

Now for his model. Steiff has made Santas sort of like this design officially in the line twice, once in 1953 through 1967 in 13, 18, 31, and 150 cm and then again in 1984 though 1988 in 19 and 28 cm. (For extensive information about the history of Steiff Santas, please click here!) However, neither of the models produced during the 1950's and 1960's, and then again in the mid to late 1980's had black gloves, belts, or boots. (The earliest standard line Santas are pictured here on the left, as you can see, they had no gloves, no belts, and donned red felt boots.) Steiff standard line Santas were also jointed, Carole's doll is not. In addition, Carole's Santa is 35 or 36 cm. Clearly from the timeline, size, and design perspectives, Carole's Santa is an unusual find indeed!

If Steiffgal were to unwrap this Christmas gift mystery, it would be her best guess - and just that, not seeing the item firsthand and checking for other not so obvious details - that this Santa was most likely created as a sample or special order for a customer. His larger size suggests that he might have been made as part of a seasonal window display! Given that he is a sample or special order, and once his head is repaired by a professional, he may value in the $200 to 400 range, for the right buyer.

Steiffgal hopes this discussion on Carole's vintage Santa has put you in a holiday frame of mind - for the Fourth of July!

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

Who Wouldn't Give an Arm and a Leg For This Great Steiff Collectible?

2011-06-25T17:29:00.001-04:00

What's the one Steiff collectible you'd give an arm or leg for? For some, it might be a perfectly preserved Ted from the turn of last century; for others, it might be the #1 issue of a beloved more recent limited edition replica. For Steiffgal... well... imaging her surprise - and delight - when a question about her dream piece was delivered directly into her inbox! Barb writes...

"Hi there.

I have had this little one tucked away from my mother-in-law's collection for quite some time. I am having no luck with identifying the piece so far.

He is 7 3/4" long and has the 'silver' Steiff button in his left ear with the Steiff logo with the last "f" elongated back to the "e" in the name.

Is he a bear, a cat, a lion or what? He is stuffed with excelsior I believe. His head swivels in the neck socket.

I would appreciate any information you can give me.

Best, Barb"

This "tall drink of water" is Molliette, a design that Steiff produced from 1927 through 1932. He has the original "Molly" mohair puppy head; long, soft unjointed dangling limbs; and mohair hands and paws. His body, arms, and legs are made from velvet, which has discolored over time. He has glass, very large black and brown pupil eyes and an embroidered nose and mouth. When he was new, his lips were accented with a touch of red and he had a bright, sherbet colored silk ribbon.

Molliette is one of a series of long limbed lovelies in the Steiff catalog from 1927-1932. These "play and car dolls" included Bulliette, the bulldog, Fluffiette, the cat, Rabbiette, the rabbit, and Cherrioette, the open mouthed puppy. These were based on the most popular named Steiff characters of the time; it is interesting that there was not a bear in this series. Each play and car doll had the head of the character, mohair paws and feet, and dangling velvet limbs. Most were available in several bright, happy "jelly bean" colors and in 20, 30, and 43 cm, with the larger sizes having a squeaker. It has been suggested that the design of this series was based on a similar line from the Chad Valley Toy Company of England called "Tango Toys." Steiff modified the design to fit their characters and manufacturing processes, and named the line "Charleston Animals", based on the Charleston dance crazy of the 1920’s, with its fast moving arm and leg movements.

A mystery surrounding Barb's Molliette is his original color. It is Steiffgal's best opinion that originally he was blue. This is because Steiffgal has a greenish-colored velvet Steiff Pip dog from the same era, but in his armpits and crotch folds, he retains a vibrant blue. It is possible that the blue chemical dyes used in the late 1920's and early 1930's break down into more greenish hues when exposed to sun and oxygen over time.

Molliette was a popular plaything, both here in the US and across Germany. Here above you can see an original 1927 trade advertisement for this toy, created especially for the United States. The copy reads:

"The new Steiff Button in ear creation. A cuddly creature - its not a dog, and its not a doll, but a combination of both. Its saucy face is attractive, and is immediately recognized as member of the famous MOLLY DOG family. Its feet and hands are of silk plush, as is the head, while the body is made of a good quality velvet, voice inserted in body."

According to the trade prices listed in this advertisement, the 8" versions were $1 each, the 12" versions were $1.50 each, and the 17" versions were $2 each in 1927 dollars. In 2011 dollars, that translates into $12.38 for the small, $18.57 for the medium, and $24.77 for the large size! Seems like a pretty penny for a "toy" in 1927, but given that Molliettes in very good to excellent condition today can sell at auction in the $600 to 900 range, this appears to be a very good investment indeed!

Steiffgal hopes this discussion about Molliette has been a dog-gone pleasure for you!

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

Baby, You Don't Want To Miss This Steiff Bear's Vacation Adventures!

2011-06-18T14:55:00.000-04:00

Steiffgal always brings along a Steiff friend when she travels. Lately, it has been a 1930's era 15 cm panda, as his delightful smile and personality are a welcome addition away from home. This week, Steiffgal and Steiffguy are in Hollywood, Florida, for a little work, fun, and sun. To mix things up a bit on this trip, Steiffgal brought a new old Steiff friend along for the ride - a charming 22 cm blond Teddy baby from the mid-1950's. One of the reasons it is easy to date him is his faux leather paw pads; Steiff used these from the mid-1950's onward on both their Teddy babies and precious pandas. Steiffgal adopted this cheerful cub, whose name rather appropriately is Sonny - from a Vectis auction a few years ago. Since then, he has been a favorite - but never a road buddy... until now!

Sonny seems to have taken to the fun and sun of his new latitude as easily as, well, fish to the ocean! He insisted on sharing his adventures on the Hollywood boardwalk and beach with the Steifflife readers, and who is to argue with that? As a result, this week's blog is more of a photo tour than a detailed Steiff discussion. So grab a beach chair, put on your sunglasses, and come on a virtual visit to one sunny place!

Just my size. Sonny is delighted to find a pint-sized palm tree in just the right petite proportions. Gives new meaning to the phrase, "Made in the shade" for sure!

By nature, Steiff Teds and collectors seem to make friends where ever they go. Here Sonny is tickled pink to hang out with an "almost native" Florida flamingo.

It's easy to be a real mover and shaker in this town! Here Sonny demonstrates the preferred method of getting from one end of the boardwalk to the other - on a bicycle built for two, with a sunroof!!

What bear - or vacationer - doesn't think about a little snack every now and then? Decisions, decisions....here Sonny contemplates a few of his very favorite summertime beach appropriate nibbles.

Can we have dessert first? Sonny demonstrates that size does matter, especially when it comes to ice cream treats!

Sea-sonings of the seaside. Here at this boardwalk bar, Sonny tries to order a beer, but the waiter does not believe he is 60 years old, and our dear friend cannot produce any ID to prove it.

Hollywood is a real outdoor town... there are playgrounds, outdoor handball courts, an open air amphitheatre, covered picnic tables, and even ping pong tables up and down the boardwalk for everyone to enjoy in the fresh air and sunshine. Here Sonny has a play date with a climbing set designed for kids.

Finally, Steiff bears often do come to the rescue, especially when it comes to lifelong love and friendship. Here Sonny does his best lifeguard imitation with all the appropriate tools, including a floatation device and a surf board. When Steiffgal asked the lovely lifeguard if it were OK for Sonny to model on her station, she took Sonny in her hands, examined him closely, and announced, "This must be a Steiff! I recognize his materials and he feels so sturdy!" Can you bear it?

Steiffgal hopes this virtual vacation with Sonny has added a little sunshine to your day, where ever you are.

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

Singing In The Rain - Steiff Style!

2011-06-11T15:43:00.000-04:00

No doubt you've heard of "singing in the rain", but how about "Steiff-ing in the rain?" Most enthusiasts can agree... there's nothing like the thrill of the hunt for vintage Steiff. So how about doing just that in a torrential downpour! Steiffgal recently had the pleasure of attending Antiques at Elm Bank, a delightful outdoors antique event produced every summer by New England Antique Shows. Despite the umbrella weather, check out the Steiff collectibles she discovered on her most recent, albeit soggy, "Steiff safari."

It was in the stars that Steiffgal would come across this first fantastic find. He was keeping company with a bunch of vintage pill boxes when he was spotted. This is Rocky Steinbock or Rocky Capricorn Goat, who made as part of Steiff's "Zodiac" series of animals. Rocky is 22 cm, standing, unjointed, and made from lovely tan mohair plush. His face is detailed with black and green slit pupil eyes, light brown airbrushing highlights, and a simple black and brown hand embroidered nose. Clearly his most impressive features are his huge, oversized horns, which are three dimensional, made from felt, and have been brought to life with brown paint to give them texture. Rocky appeared in the line from 1963 through 1976 in 14, 22, and 28 cm.

Many of us would climb every mountain for this second Steiff sighting. This is Heideschaf Snucki or Mountain Sheep Snucki. He was spotted in a booth amongst some lovely vintage linens, sewing collectibles, and fabrics - and his very own original vintage Steiff box! Snucki is 17 cm, standing, and unjointed. His body is made from very long tan mohair, while his face, legs, and tail are made from very short black mohair. He has tiny black felt ears, green and black slit pupil eyes, and a simple pink hand embroidered nose and mouth. Like Rocky, Snucki also has prominent felt horns. However, his are scaled smaller, are made from thick flat felt, and circle back towards his sides. Snucki was made in 12, 17, 22, and 28 cm from 1959 through 1974.

It's ok when this mouse is in your house! Steiffgal spotted this darling albino Pieps Maus or Pieps Mouse amongst a series of children's playthings. She is 8cm, unjointed, and begging (meaning she is ready to share in whatever treat you are enjoying at the moment.) Her body is made from white mohair. She has tiny light pink felt ears, feet, and hands and sports a very long felt tail. Her face is detailed with tiny red button eyes, a black button nose, monofilament whiskers, and an itty-bitty black mouth. Her little bell is not original, but would be most welcome by most cat friends (or foes!) Precious Pieps was produced in 8 cm between 1958 and 1978 in gray or white.

No need to get pugnacious over this next perfect puppy pair! Here we have a mother-daughter set of Steiff's Mopsy Pugs. It is fitting that "Mops" means "pug" in German. Both are sitting, head jointed, and made from tan mohair. Like real pugs - and Steiffgal can say this with confidence being a "mother" of two - these Mopsys have the most endearing faces. Who could resist their wide black and white google eyes, big black hand embroidered noses, "wrinkle-y" foreheads and muzzles, and quizzical, asymmetric looks? And of course, their happy tongues and folded-over ears. Nothing not to love. Mopsy was produced in 12 and 22 cm from 1960 through 1981.

Let's end this safari in a "jumbo" way. Here we have Steiff's beloved post WWll elephant. This big beauty was spotted on top of an antique china cabinet, along with a few other pieces of brand new Steiff. He is 22 cm, unjointed, and made from short, traditional grey mohair. He has big floppy grey mohair ears, white felt tusks, black and white google eyes, and a red felt saddle blanket, complete with bells. His open felt-lined mouth really makes him appear to be grinning from ear to ear! This classic style of Steiff elephant was manufactured in 7, 10, 17, 22, and 35 cm from cm from 1950 through 1978.

Steiffgal hopes this rainy adventure has "wet" your appetite to take a Steiff safari on your own soon!

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

A Steiff "Double Dutch" Family Treasure

2011-06-04T15:32:00.000-04:00

Friends come in all shapes and sizes, and this week Steiffgal had the pleasure of meeting three new ones! Please take a look at this note from Susanne, from New York, (new friend #1) who wants to know more about a set of vintage Steiff dolls (new friends #2 and #3) that have been in her family just about as long as she can remember. Over a series of communications, she writes:

"Hello!

Here are my two Steiff dolls. Both are felt, about 10.25" tall, and in very good condition. The boy has a Steiff button in one of his little ears. The girl has lovely blue eyes and the boy has handsome brown eyes. Their heads of hair are in really good condition and they have dear little ears and hands. I believe that my Steiff dolls are wearing their original charming, handmade clothes, of sturdy cotton, with nice little buttons and drawstring ties. The socks feel like knitted black silk or mercerized cotton. The girl's dress bodice is embroidered. They are SO life-like, truly precious!

Here is their history. These were given to my sister and I when we were both children by friends of my parents after their invalid daughter (born in the early 1920's) died! We never really played with them the way we did with regular dolls we had. They are very special and receive a lot of attention and praise when I've placed them on a child's chair I have.

Would they have comes with names…somewhere indicated? I never named them.

Any information you can provide about them would be most appreciated.

Best,

Susanne"

Susanne, you are such a doll for writing! Yes, these family treasures are simply spectacular! Steiff produced these "childlike" felt dolls from around 1910 through the late 1920's. Both boys and girls were produced in sizes ranging from 22 to 75 cm. The dolls all had the same basic body - you can see the front and back here on this picture, as well as the jointing and proportions. They were gorgeously dressed and differentiated by their clothing and footwear styles, many regionally or nationally specific - like Susanne's Dutch dolls. All had charming, well constructed matching clothing made from high end materials, including felt, velvet, calicos, wool, and embroidered muslin. Many had hats, which exactly matched the fabric or theme of their outfits. They were also detailed with stockings and hand-made felt or leather shoes.

Susanne's dolls actually do have names and are documented in the Steiff archives. The picture here on the left is how they appeared when they left the factory in Giengen almost 100 years ago, and is from Gunther Pfeiffer's 1892-1943 Steiff Sortiment book. The girl's name is Alida. She was made from 1909 through 1919 in 28, 35, 43, and 50 cm. She is described as "felt, jointed, Dutchwoman, original costume, Sunday best." The boy is Harry. He was made from 1908 through 1925 in 28, 35, 43, 50, and 60 cm. He is described as "felt, jointed, Dutch fisherman, original costume." By "original costume" Steiff means that the dolls are dressed in apparel that is traditional to a country - in this case, the Netherlands. And by "Sunday best", that would imply "fancier" clothing for going to Church on Sunday, which makes sense in the case of Alida given her elaborately embroidered dress bodice and red cuffs (which Harry has apparently borrowed from his sister in Susanne's pair!).

Steiffgal hopes this introduction to Alida and Harry has been more fun for you than a game of Double Dutch!

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

"Lots" to Learn About Teddy Dorado And The Upcoming Steiff Sommer Auction!

2011-05-27T23:00:00.002-04:00

Imagine if a big part of your profession included hanging out with, cataloging, and selling delightful vintage Steiff collectibles. For many of us, that would just be a dream job! Please meet Carsten Esser, who spends his days doing just that. Carsten is the Managing Director and Auctioneer at Teddy Dorado, an auction house in Germany that specializes in the treasures we all love. He agreed to speak with us about his company, love of Steiff, and the upcoming auction at the annual "Steiff Sommer" Festival in July.

Steiffgal: Thanks so much for talking with us today. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Carsten: Sure! I live in Wachtberg, Germany which is in the Cologne-Bonn area of Germany, and near the Rhine River. I studied economics and business at a university quite near the Steiff factory in Giengen. I just turned 40 years old this month. On my special day I had the pleasure of spending time at the Steiff Company, working on the selections for The Giengen Steiff Auction, which is one of the highlights of the company's annual summer event. This year, the auction will be held on July 2nd, 2011.

Steiffgal: Are you personally a Steiff collector?

Carsten: Oh yes! I have been interested in Steiff my entire life and have a large personal collection. Even as a child I would attend toy fairs in Germany as a dealer and buy and sell Steiff. In the 1980's I started collecting old catalogs and other Steiff ephemera, although the toys have always been the most special to me. So I am very lucky that I do what I love, and love what I do!

Steiffgal: Please tell us about Teddy Dorado. What is the history and story behind your company?

Carsten: For many years, I bought and sold vintage Steiff items on eBay. I liked to see all the listings and photos, but was frustrated that every seller had their own way of presenting items and that there were no standard terms and metrics to describe the condition of items. So I came up with the idea of running auctions just for Steiff items. The goal was to have a well organized marketplace with clear categories, plenty of good pictures and precise descriptions. I thought this would be interesting for Steiff collectors worldwide, and I think I was right. So Teddy Dorado was born!

In August, 2010 we started our company website. We held our first two auctions in October 2010 and then again in April 2011. Our company has a core team of three employees, but during special events, our staff grows to about 25 people to help support all the logistics and tasks that come with our worldwide auctions. You can see our building which is pictured above.

Steiffgal: Tell us about the name of your company. What does it mean, and how did you come up with it?

Carsten: The name is based on the idea of an "El Dorado" - or city of gold - for Teddy bear collectors. Our company aims to be worldwide marketplace where stuffed toys and Teddy bears are traded in a very efficient way.

Steiffgal: Tell us about the upcoming Steiff auction which will be held as part of Steiff's annual summer celebration. How did you get involved with this event?

Carsten: Teddy Dorado was only recently contacted by the Steiff management team about hosting the upcoming auction during the company's upcoming "Steiff Summer 2011". I think they asked us to participate because they liked our printed auction catalogs, the quality of our website, and how we ran our past auctions in our salesroom.

The auction will be held on July 2nd, 2011. 133 extraordinary Steiff toys will be sold. These include prewar Teddy bears, cats, and dogs; many uncataloged plush items; historical documents and photographs from the company; and even a painting that once hung in Margarete Steiff's living room!

As for the auction logistics, worldwide bids will be accepted, and the buyer's premium will be 16% of the hammer price. The printed catalog is 232 pages and includes a reprint of the Steiff 1930 Jubilee Publication. All the auction lots, and more details about the auction and catalog, - including downloadable bidding forms - can be found at our website, www.teddydorado.com.

Steiffgal: Two final questions. In your opinion, what is the most special item in the auction? Personally, what is your favorite lot in the auction?

Carsten: That's really hard to say as there are so many absolutely stunning Steiff toys in the auction. A very special item is a 105 year old "Humpty Dumpty", or what we call "Man from Mars" or "Egg Head" here in Germany. He is in like new condition; his felt is blemish free, his face painting is perfect, and his felt clothing is still vibrantly colored. You can see him here on the left.

Personally, I am drawn to a white Teddy bear from the late 1920s. He is in mint condition and even retains his red ear tag. It is even more dear to me as it comes from a brilliant private collection of a collector to whom I spoke about my idea about a specialty auction house before founding Teddy Dorado.

Steiffgal: That sounds really exciting! Thank you so much for your time and for helping Steiff collectors all over the world share in these remarkable rarities!

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

Care To Noodle These Rare and Fabulous Vintage Steiff Poodles?

2011-05-21T14:50:00.000-04:00

Take these curls for a whirl! Steiff has a century plus long legacy of creating some of the most adorable poodles for collectors and enthusiasts around the world. Who can resist their darling 'dos and princess-like personalities! Although the beloved and well-known Snobby poodle made her debut in 1953, Steiff also created a handful of lesser-known poodle models in the 1950's and early 1960's. Let's take a look at some of these blue ribbon beauties and see what makes them so interesting from the collector's perspective.

Here's a most unusual poodle for you to noodle! Here we have Steiff's Tosi. She is standing, unjointed, and made from wool plush. She came in black or white. Her face is detailed with a black glass button nose and soulful, almond shaped white, brown, and black eyes. She wears a red leather collar. Her coat is in what is referred to as a "Karakul" trim, meaning that it is fluffy but uniformly the same length all over her body. Tosi was produced in 4, 17, 22, and 28 cm from 1950 through 1953. Because of her time of manufacturer, Tosi would have left the factory with a red-imprinted chest tag and a US Zone tag in her leg seam.

Tosi's little sister is this early poodle Snobby. She is standing and made from wool plush. She came in black or white. Like Tosi, face is detailed with a black glass button nose, but Snobby has round brown and black glass pupil eyes. Her mouth and claws are defined by brown embroidery. Her coat is in what Steiff refers to as the "French"trim, meaning that it is fluffy basically from the waist area up; her lower torso and backside are more closely cropped. She also has longer tufts of fur around her knees, elbows, and the tip of her tail. The original Snobby was produced in 17 or 22 cm in 1952 only. Like Tosi, because of her time of manufacturer, she would have left the factory with a red-imprinted chest tag and a US Zone tag in her leg seam.

This next long legged lovely is a Steiff supermodel for sure! Here we have Snobbylac Pudel or Snobbylac Poodle. This tall drink of water is a whopping 80 cm tall, with alot of that height coming from her remarkably long legs! She is made from short grey wool plush and five ways jointed. Her feet, hands, ears, and forehead are particularly "puffy!" She has brown and black pupil eyes and her floppy ears are lined in grey felt. Readers will probably recognize her as one of Steiff's legacy "lulac"style animals - playful and jolly patterns with exaggeratedly long limbs and torsos. She has brown and black glass pupil eyes and a black leather nose. She was produced in 1958 only as a United States exclusive.

Our last rare curly girl would make a charming lap dog for sure. Here we have another poodle named Snobby. She is 28 cm, five ways jointed, and made from the same wool plush as Snobbylac. She has brown and black pupil eyes and a black leather nose. Her mouth and claws are defined by black airbrushing. Her coat, like the original Snobby mentioned above, is in the "French" cut - but in this case, perhaps an "extreme" French cut, as her fluffy areas are REALLY fluffy! She wears two magenta colored ribbons, one around her neck and one on the top of her mile-high hairdo! Snobby was produced from 1962 through 1968 in 28 and 35 cm as an exclusive item for the high end toy retailer FAO Schwarz in theUnited States; you can see the wooden red bell-shaped FAO Schwarz hangtag hanging from her on the picture here to the left.

Steiffgal hopes this review of rare, early postwar poodles has added a fancy twist to your day.

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

Tongue's A-Wag Over These Mouthy Steiff Marvels

2011-05-14T19:39:00.000-04:00

Steiffgal is not being tongue in cheek when she says she just loves Steiff's dogs from the 1950's and early 1960's. And, the ones with realistic features especially whet her appetite for collecting! Let's take a look at some of Steiff's "most mouthy" canine friends from this era and see what makes them so interesting and collectible.

You cannot help but crack a smile when it comes to Steiff's delightful Arco German Shepherd. Steiff has featured German Shepherds in its line since 1923, and German Shepards named Arco since since 1937. However, Arco was not produced with his terrific and authentic tongue as a detail until 1957. Arco is standing, unjointed, and made from tan mohair which has been airbrushed with tan and black highlights. His face is made from shorter mohair, to draw attention to his handsome canine features. This delightful pattern was produced standing in 10, 17, 22, and 35 cm, lying in 22, 35, and 50 cm, and on wheels in 43 and 50 cm and appeared in one form or another in the line from 1957 through 1976.

The next tongued treasure is Steiff's Beppo dachshund. (Did you know that "dachshund "translates from the German to "Badger Dog"... as these long, thin, and low to the ground pooches were bred to hunt badgers in their underground tunnels.) As you can see from the picture on the left, beautiful Beppo is made from black and brown mohair and is five ways jointed. He has black and brown pupil eyes and a delightful and joyful open-mouthed facial expression, complete with a happy wagging tongue. Beppo has a squeaker and was produced in 10 and 17 cm from 1952 through 1961. Many collectors confuse Beppo with Lumpi, a very similarly designed black and tan open mouthed dachshund. However, unlike Beppo who is totally jointed, Lumpi is only head jointed was produced in 11 and 18 cm from 1963 through 1974.

When it comes to wagging tongues, Steiff's terrific Tessie Schnauzer would have to take first place. Tessie is standing, head jointed, and made from light grey mohair. She has proportionally large black and brown pupil eyes, a black hand embroidered mouth, and pert triangular shaped ears. Tessie's coloring is highlighted by her red leather collar. One of the most "recognizable" features about Tessie's design is her prominent circular red felt tongue, suggesting she is always smiling - or ready for a good meal. Tessie appeared in 10, 14, 22, and 28 cm from 1954 through 1976. A sweet 10 and 14 cm "mother-daughter" pair is shown here on the left.

Our final mouthy marvel would have to be Steiff's lovely Collie, who was introduced in 1960. She is sitting, unjointed and made from mohair. Collie is incredibly detailed and well made... it is amazing how much handiwork was dedicated to this good girl! She is primarily tan with black and brown airbrushing. Her chest and tail are made from longer mohair. She has an open felt lined mouth and a red tongue, and brown and black pupil eyes. The larger model has black hand embroidered claws on her hands and feet. Of all the dogs Steiff has ever produced post war, Collie is perhaps Steiffgal's most favorite for its wonderful authenticity and just plain appeal. This model was produced in 12 and 22 cm from 1960 through 1969 as illustrated on the left. Collie was produced in a lying position in 25 and 43 cm from 1960 through 1975.

An old proverb says, ""One reason a dog is such a lovable creature is his tail wags instead of his tongue." Steiffgal says one of the reasons Steiff's dogs are so lovable is that they wag both... and hopes you feel the same way!

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

Steiff's King of the Canine Castle

2011-05-09T20:46:00.001-04:00

Some named button-in-ear designs are like royalty, and there is no better example of that then Steiff's delightful "Charly" King Charles Spaniel. Collectors find their long ears, fuzzy bodies, and preciously pouty expressions all but irresistible. This charming canine only appeared in the line in the late 1920's and 1930's and is considered a blue ribbon find due to their rarity. Let's take a look at this design and see what makes it so interesting from a historical and collector's perspective.

Charly received his coronation into the Steiff line in 1928. He was produced both sitting and standing; the two versions were head jointed only. Charly dogs were made from light brown and white mohair; had extremely long fuzzy ears; large, childlike brow and black pupil eyes; a very detailed facial seam structure; and a prominent tail. Their filling was soft kapok, meaning that they were lighter in weight and more cuddly than other animals stuffed with crunchy excelsior. Overall, standing Charly was manufactured in 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, and 22 cm from 1928 through 1938 while sitting Charly appeared in the line in 10, 14, 17, 22, 25, 30, and 35 cm from 1928 through 1936.

Charly was an immediate sensation, and it is easy to understand why from a historical perspective. This design appeared at what may be called the first "dog days" of Steiff, which lasted from 1925 and 1938. (The second "dog days" occurred in the late 1950's and early 1960's). During the 1920's and 1930's, real - and toy - dogs were the constant companions of high society ladies across Europe. And cute smaller breeds, like King Charles Spaniels, Bulldogs, and Pekingese, were all the rage as pets as well as accessories! Understanding this trend, Steiff produced close to 40 new canine species, including a series of lap dogs including the now classic Charly, Bully, and Molly models.

Charly also proved to be a great source for highly successful “theme and variation” product introductions, due to his popularity with collectors. He appeared as a 17 cm light brown and white mohair puppet from 1928 through 1939, and as a "handtasche" or child sized purse in 22 and 25 cm from 1927 through 1933 - pictured here on the left. He was also made in two pincushion styles: both the sitting and standing versions were mounted on a square mohair pincushion; the sitting version was produced from 1929 through 1932 while the standing version was produced from 1930 through 1932. One of these rarities recently sold at the October, 2010 Steiff auction at Christies for $1,385! Chary was also made as a 10 cm standing or sitting nomotta woolen miniature from 1935 thorough 1937, and as a playful purple dressed 28 cm Pupp-animal doll from 1929 through 1930. A pristine female version of this Charly Pupp-animal doll sold for $8,311 at the October, 2010 Steiff Auction at Christie's - you can see her - but probably can't resist her - right here on the left!

Despite his popularity, Charly made his last formal appearance in the Steiff line in the late 1930's. It wasn't until 2005 that he resurfaced again, as a 28 cm North American Limited Edition replica purse, in an edition size of 1,500.

Steiffgal hopes this "Charly chat" has your tongue wagging - in a good way- over this marvelous and rare Steiff design.

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

Outfoxing A Vintage Steiff Mystery

2011-04-30T16:59:00.000-04:00

Steiffgal couldn't help but want to outfox this mystery presented to her from a reader about a vintage family treasure. Marcia from Virginia asks about a present a daughter received from a high school boyfriend many years ago. She writes...

"Dear Steiffgal,

I have a 20 inch, seated upright fox. His head turns, but he is not jointed other than that. His mouth is open and the two fangs are a bit broken. The Steiff button is in his ear but there is only a tiny piece of the yellow tag.

He is red fox color -- reddish brown gold-- on the back, and his front or belly is white; ears are black on the back and white inside and standing up. Whiskers are stiff and it looks like two have been cut short. His tail is about 18 inches; it helps to balance him in the upright position. The front paws come out at an angle and then point toward the ground.

My questions are, how old is his and what is his story?

I appreciate your help!

Marcia"

Like the body position of this great find, Steiffgal is "begging" to provide Marcia with everything she needs to know about her most interesting piece. This item is called Rotfuchs or Red Fox. He is 22 inches or 56 cm tall and in a standing/"begging" pose... meaning that he is up on his hind legs and has the appearance of welcoming any table scraps someone would send his way! He has a very life-life face, including brown and black glass eyes, an open pink felt lined mouth (which when new had a long red felt tongue and pointy teeth), thick clear monofilament whiskers, and a black hand embroidered nose. Also of note is his large and bushy tail, which in this case helps him to balance in his standing/begging position. This fantastic fox was made from 1962 through 1971 and was a United States exclusive for the upscale toy store chain FAO Schwarz.

According to the 1962 FAO Schwarz Centennial Celebration catalog, this exact item is described as... "Red Fox, import. This life-sized fox by Steiff - 23" tall to the tips of his ears, has a bushy, long (16") tail. In realistically colored rust and white plush, with authentic markings, red tongue, and white teeth. Shipping weight 4 lbs., $28.50." There are two things about this description to note from the collector's perspective. First, even though FAO Schwarz describes him as "lifesized", he is not technically categorized as a studio animal by Steiff. Second, it is interesting to calculate that $28.50 in 1962 dollars translates roughly into a little over $200 in 2011 dollars. So he was quite the investment, even back then!

FAO Schwarz and Steiff have had a very special relationship since the turn of last century which remains in place to this day. Steiff made its first appearance in 1906 in the United States through the FAO Schwarz's store in New York. Starting right after WWll in the 1950s, Steiff began creating store exclusives for its long-time American retail partner; in essence, these could be considered early "limited editions" produced by the company. These early treasures included a series of dressed mice, families of dogs and cats in pillow-lined baskets, unique studio (life-sized) pieces including a beagle and a collie, and even "Royal Dally" - a Dalmatian dressed to the nines in a jeweled crown and fancy cape - among many other items. Even though these early post war exclusives are all no more than 60 years old (which is still considered relatively new in the Steiff collector's world), they are all on the "bucket lists" of most Steiff collectors and generate much excitement when they come on the secondary market.

Like this fantastic fox, Steiffgal hopes that this overview has left you bright eyed and bushy tailed about FAO Schwarz exclusives.

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.