It's the most wonderful time of the year... to be a Steiff enthusiast! Buying and selling opportunities really do heat up (no pun intended) as the calendar flips to June and July! One auction many collectors truly look forward to is the June 19th Antique Advertising, Toy, and Doll event at James D. Julia Auctioneers in Fairfield, Maine. This auction usually features some exceptional Steiff lots, and this year is no different. Here are three lots from this sale that particularly caught Steiffgal's eye!
This first highlight is one great beast of burden! Here we have lot 2085, a fantastic (and totally irresistible) Steiff riding oxen with IDs. He is measures 13” h (33 cm) x 21” w (53 cm). He is standing, unjointed, and rides upon a metal riding carriage with a wooden steering handle. This barnyard buddy is made from short tan and coppery-orange mohair with longer tan mohair on his tail tip. His face comes to life with black button eyes and leather horns; he also has leather hooves. He rides upon four red metal wheels and has his original red and white pull cord which is finished with a red wooden knob with a Steiff medallion. He retains his long trailing “f” style button and traces of his paper ear tag as his Steiff IDs.
This model was produced in 9 sizes ranging from 14 to 80 cm from 1909 through 1943. Many people confuse this pattern with Steiff's
cow on wheels, but his distinctive coloring, body shape, and horns
define him as an ox in this cattle-battle. Despite its longevity in the
line, these riding ox are seldom seen on the secondary market. This
particular model has particularly vibrant coloring and a most appealing
presentation.
It's time to pony up to our second Julia's Steiff highlight. Next we have lot 2087, a stately and elegant felt Steiff riding horse. He measures 6-1/2″ h (42cm) x 18″ w (46cm). This pretty pony is standing, unjointed, and glides upon a metal riding carriage with four metal wheels. Horse has a wooden steering handle. He is made from brown and tan felt with a real horsehair tail and mane. You can't help but notice his face, which is detailed with brown and black glass pupil eyes. His lifelike hooves are painted black. Horse is dressed to the nines with a velvet, fabric trimmed saddle cloth and leather fittings which appear original or at least period appropriate. This example retains its Steiff long trailing “f” style button and its original red and white pull cord. Like the ox mentioned previously, the pony's pull cord also has a red wooden knob finished with a Steiff logo'ed metal medallion.
This model is an absolute legacy pattern for Steiff. It was produced overall in 10 sizes ranging from 12 to 80 cm and is remarkable as it is one of only a handful that appeared continuously in the Steiff catalog from its debut in 1892 through the last days of the company’s toy production during WWII in the early 1940s.
They say fine feathers make fine birds, and such is the case in this final Julia's Steiff highlight. Here we have lot 2090, a lot of seven absolutely lovely post war mohair Steiff birds which range in size from 4″ h (10 cm) to 6-1/2″ h (17 cm) tall. Consider feathering your nest with this group which includes a 17 cm mohair finch with felt wing and tail feathers, red painted metal feet, and all Steiff IDs; a 12 cm mohair tit with felt wing and tail feathers, red painted metal feet, and a Steiff button and chest tag; a 10 cm mohair tit with hair wing and tail feathers, brown metal feet, and all Steiff IDs; a 10 cm mohair tit with stenciled velvet wing and tail feathers, tan plastic feet, and a Steiff button and chest tag; a 10 cm mohair sparrow with stenciled velvet wing and tail feathers, tan plastic feet, and a Steiff button and chest tag; and a 10 cm mohair bullfinch with stenciled velvet wing and tail feathers, tan plastic feet, and a Steiff button and chest tag. All of these sweet-tweet-treats have plastic beaks and present in the most charming way. These birds of a feather were all produced in the 1955 to 1973 time frame.
Bird's the word when it comes to Steiff for many collectors. The earliest Steiff birds with legs, such as storks, pigeons, hens, roosters, and ducks, had felt covered or cord wrapped metal feet and legs. As time went on, many models were transitioned to all metal legs and feet. In the 1960's and 1970's, a number of Steiff birds - including the company's beloved woolen miniature birds - strut their stuff on all plastic legs and feet.
Steiffgal
hopes this preview of some of the great Steiff auction highlights to be sold at James
D. Julia's June, 2015 toy auction has been a best of show experience for you! The full catalog is now online and can be accessed by clicking here.
One of Steiffgal's favorite things about this time of year is what her nephews call the "big socks," or Christmas stockings. After all, what's more fun that an oversized piece of faux hosiery filled to the brim with sweets and gifts? So this got Steiffgal thinking - what would be perfect Steiff stocking stuffers? Maybe the company's early woolen miniatures or "woolies?" After all, they don't take up too much room, wrap easily, have a fantastic legacy, and truly capture the precious nature of the season! So let's check out these three very vintage "tiny treasures" to really get into the spirit of the holidays!
Bird's the word with this first pre-war Steiff woolie stocking stuffer. This mellow yellow fellow is Steiff's Golden Bunting bird. He is 8 cm, head jointed, and made from yellow, tan, brown, and olive green woolen yarns. He stands upon metal legs that have been painted brown. His tail feathers are made from brown felt, and his beak is made from orange felt. He has tiny black button eyes. Yellow Bunting wears his Steiff button and tag like a bracelet around his leg. He never had a chest tag.
This golden oldie was produced in 4 and 8 cm from 1934 through 1943. Around the same time period, Steiff also made woolie Robins, Green Woodpeckers, Finches, Blue Tits, and Sparrows. Like the Golden Bunting, all were made in 4 and 8 cm and had very similar construction. Only their yarn colors differentiated from species to species. You can see several of the 4 cm versions of these other birds - and also the 8 cm Golden Bunting - in the picture on the left. It is interesting to note that Steiff reintroduced all their 4 and 8 cm Robin, Green Woodpecker, Finch, Blue Tit, and Sparrow models right after the factory reopened for toy-making business in the late 1940's. However, the Golden Bunting version, for some mystery reason, never appeared in the line after 1943.
Steiffgal's just quackers over this second woolie Steiff stocking stuffer. Here we have a little 4 cm Steiff duck. His body, head, and backside pom-pom are made from yellow woolen yarn. His decorative head pom-pom is made from white woolen yarn. His large, friendly beak and oversized feet and legs are made from orange felt. His face is detailed with black bead eyes and a touch of orange airbrushing. His button and tag, which have been lost to time, would have been on one of his feet.
This darling woolie duck was made in only this size and color combination from 1931 through 1941. For the most part, pre-war Steiff woolie birds were designed to stand on metal legs, so this lying duck is somewhat unusual in terms of form and presentation.
Not a creature was stirring - except for this mouse! This final Steiff woolie stocking stuffer is not only insanely adorable, but also extremely seasonally appropriate! This is Steiff's
woolie mouse in felt slippers. He is 9 cm, standing, head jointed, and
made from white and orange woolen yarn. His head and lower body are
white, while his midsection is orange. His hands and ears are made from
single thick felt. His legs are made from grey metal which has been
painted light pink. His little slippers are made from single thick
orange felt and literally "slip on" his feet. His tiny face comes to
life with red bead eyes, a touch of pink to indicate his nose and mouth,
and a few clear monofilament whiskers. When he was a younger man - eh, mouse - he had a long matching tail. He retains his tiny short trailing f Steiff button in his ear.
This petite treat was made in from 1936 through 1942 in this size only. He also came in several other color combinations, including grey and red and brown and yellow. Steiff also made several other standing woolie models with tiny felt slippers around this same time period; these included birds, rabbits, ladybugs, beetles, and bumblebees.
Steiffgal hopes this discussion on Steiff's tiny pre-war woolies has gotten you excited for the holidays in a mighty big way.
Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.
Steiffgal once had the great pleasure of interviewing author Maureen Stanton about her wonderful book about collectors and collections, called Killer Stuff and Tons of Money. Maureen noted during the conversation that there is nothing collectors enjoy more than sharing their collections with other enthusiasts. And Steiffgal could not agree more! So earlier this week, she and two other Massachusetts collectors hit the road to visit two other Steiff collectors in Connecticut. And it is very safe to say "A grand and Steiff-y time was had by all!" Here are some of the amazing things Steiffgal and gang shared during their button-in-ear play date!
The first stop on the Steiff tour was to view the collection of Sandy Booth, where we were treated to a magnificent and well curated exhibit of Steiff rarities, most in excellent condition with all IDs! Here is one of her display units - and it's ok to stare! Which are your favorites?
There were so many great things to see at Sandy's, that Steiffgal felt like a kid in a candy store. It's
hard to pick out highlights when everything is so lovely, but here's a
few things that really caught every one's eye. The first was this
precious duo of a very large vintage Treff the Bloodhound and her little
duckling friend. Treff is 35 cm, made from mohair, and sitting.
Sitting Treffs were produced in 7, 10, 14, 17, 22, 28, 35, 43 and 50
centimeters. Treff proved to be a very successful design and was produced in a number of sizes, materials, and models through 1938. The darling duck is Steiff's Spiel Ente or Play duck. He is standing, made from yellow wool plush, and 22 cm. His big feet and open beak are made from yellow felt. He has red felt disks behind his black button eyes. Pre-war, Play duck was produced in this size only from 1933 through 1943.
Another cool item with wheel - ahem, real - appeal was Sandy's marvelous donkey on wheels. Donkey is 14 cm, standing, unjointed, and made from mohair. He has a very short black mane. His tail is made from felt with a black mohair tip. He has black airbrush highlights down his back, on the tips of his ears, and indicating his hooves. Donkey's face is sweet and baby-like; it is detailed with shiny black button eyes and delicate airbrushing to define his nose and mouth area. He sports his original red leather reins. Donkey is mounted on a simple metal chassis and glides along on four red wooden eccentric wheels. This donkey on wheels was produced in this size only from 1954 through 1961.
In addition to Sandy's great taste in Steiff, she also has a wonderful sense of how to display her collection. Take for example, this glass domed vignette of four early Steiff birds perched on just the perfect branch. Two of the birds are Finches, while the other two are Blue Tits. The birds are all 10 cm, made from mohair, with stiffened braided hair wing tips, plastic beaks, and early metal feet. Both the Finches and the Blue Tits were produced in this size from 1959 through 1961.
After a delicious lunch, the Steiff Superteam was off to their second and final destination of the tour. After a brief car ride, we arrived at the lovely home museum of Shelley Smith. In addition to Steiff, Shelley also collects and sells antiques, dolls, miniatures, and Christmas related collectibles. So viewing this remarkable setting was truly like being in Santa's magical workshop! Choosing highlights from Shelley's collection was as challenging as it was to do with Sandy's. Here is just the tip of the iceberg of the things that really called to Steiffgal.
It's hard not to oodle these two marvelous poodles! Here we have spectacular examples of two rare, 1950's era Steiff poodles. The white one on the left is the early version of Snobby. This top dog is standing and made from wool plush. She came in black or white. Her face is detailed with a black glass button nose and round brown and black glass pupil eyes. Her mouth and claws are defined by 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. This original Snobby was produced in 17 or 22 cm in 1952 only. The black poodle on the right is Maidy. She is standing and unjointed, and made from delightful and really unusual "Persian Lamb" style mohair. She has a slightly longer mohair
"beard" around her chin. Her mouth and claw stitching is done in mauve
colored embroidery floss. She was produced in 25 and 30 cm in 1959 only.
Eye bet you cannot resist this next highlight from Shelley's outstanding collection. This sitting sweetheart is the early Susi cat. She is 17 cm, made from grey mohair and is head jointed. Her little tail wraps gently around her backside. She his lovingly hand airbrushed with black stripes. Her face is detailed with bluish-green and black slit pupil eyes, a pink hand embroidered mouth and nose, and large, pert ears. Susi, who is named for a member of the Steiff family, was produced pre-war in 14, 14, 22, and 28 cm from 1936 through 1943.
You don't have to be from the Boston area to fall in love with this fourth highlight from Shelley's hug. Here we have Steiff's extremely rare Boston Terrier on metal wheels. The dog itself is 28 cm, unjointed, standing, and made from brown and tan felt. His face is detailed with black button eyes and a simple black hand embroidered nose and mouth. When he was new, he had a few black dots around his muzzle to indicate his whiskers. Boston Terrier is mounted to metal axles with regular, not eccentric, round wheels. Although his neckwear is not original, he did leave the factory in Giengen a century ago with a handsome leather collar. Boston Terrier on wheels was produced in 22, 28, and 35 cm from 1913 through 1919.
Many thanks to Sandy and Shelley for opening up their homes to the Steiff community, as well as providing such gracious hospitality.
Steiffgal hopes this virtual tour has inspired you to share your collection with new friends, too!
Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.
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