Let These Four Cheerful Cubs Brighten Your Day!

It's hard to bear all the bad news lately. You can't turn on the TV or radio - or check out Facebook - without learning something depressing or scary. In times like this, it's important to take good care of yourself, and surround yourself with loving things. So today's blog has two simple missions - first, to give you a reason to smile and second, to provide a bright spot in your day. Here are a quartet of Steiff friends that are happy to help you with those important goals.

Our first terrific Ted is Penelope. She is one of Steiff's early 1950-era Teddy baby dolls. She stands 22 cm tall and is head jointed. Her unjointed body is made from tan fabric while the tips of her feet and hands are made from brown mohair. Penelope is clearly a fashion plate with her adorable light blue Peter-Pan style blouse, seersucker apron, and blue velvet pants. And this girl loves bling, as you can see from her pendant (which is actually an earring Steiffgal found, but don't tell her!) and her UFDC pocket pin. Steiffgal found Penelope at a doll show in 2016, and they've been close friends ever since. Penelope has accompanied Steiffgal to dreadful things like dentist and doctor visits and the like, and is always a great source of comfort - and conversation.

Here we have Maisy, who's as fresh as a daisy! She is a Steiff Teddy baby bear with really unusual velvety-cloth paw pads. Given this out-of-the-ordinary fabric, she probably dates from just before or just after WWII. Maisy is about 25 cm tall, fully jointed, and made from long and shaggy light maize colored mohair. Her nose and claw stitching is very light brown in color. Like Penelope, she's quite the girly-girl. She loves her pretty denim frock (which was made by Steiff) and is quite proud of her fantastic charm necklace, which features a bunch of playful beaded friends. Steiffgal found Maisy on eBay, and was immediately smitten by her great coloring and eternally optimistic personality. As soon as Maisy jointed the hug, she caught the eye of Charles, a 40 cm white Steiff Teddy baby from around 1930. It's easy to see why. They've been the happy couple ever since.

Our next sweet treat is Candy, who is 28 cm tall, fully jointed, and made from chocolate brown artificial silk plush. Candy was made around 1948 or so. She has very interesting linen paw pads on her hands and feet. She looks a little grumpy, but that's ok if you are a supermodel like she is, and she doesn't want to distract attention away from her totally terrific Teddy bear slippers. These quality kicks are made from brown mohair, have felt soles, and are decorated with brown and tan embroidery; even the bears' ears are dimensional. This slippers were a surprise gift from a friend, so they are even more special! Isn't it interesting how great footwear can make the whole day better? Steiffgal purchased Candy at auction; she wasn't planning on bidding on her, but you know how that goes.

And last but not least is this zany Zooby bear. This little joker is 28 cm and was made in the mid-1960s. He is head and arm jointed. His pointy claws are made from white felt. He is self-standing; the soles of his feet are made from a brown leather-like material; the tops are made from dark brown mohair. From a historical perspective, Zooby’s design is based somewhat on Steiff’s pre-war Zirkus-Baer or Circus Bear, a 32 cm standing bear produced from 1935 through 1939. Zooby likes wearing a felt clown hat, for obvious reasons. You can't help but notice his goofy facial expression, like he's just told a bad joke and is waiting for your hysterical response. Just the thought of that can't help but make you smile, right?

Steiffgal hopes these four cheerful cubs have brought a little humor, levity, and play to your day.

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

Steiff's Very Own Baby Boomer Bears

Anyone out there need a Teddy hug? Chances are, if you are reading this blog, your answer is a resounding YES! It goes without saying that Steiffgal loves Steiff's remarkable bears. But did you know that some of her favorite models are not all that terribly old - from the 1950’s and early 1960’s? The Baby Boomer Bears!  During these decades, Steiff experienced a really breakthrough period in terms of creativity. And why was this? The company was just about back on its feet after the war, its global distribution infrastructure was improving, and collectors and enthusiasts were demanding – and purchasing – playful and innovative new items. Let's take a look at some Steiff bears from this fertile time frame and see what makes them so special from the design and collector’s perspectives.
 

This first Steiff "Baby Boomer" bear is one tall drink of water. Zolac is five ways jointed and 40 cm tall, with his legs claiming about half that height! His head and body are made from shaggy caramel tipped mohair, while his feet, hands, and bib are detailed with apricot colored mohair. He has an open felt lined mouth, brown pupil eyes, and a hand stitched nose. Zolac is the hybrid of two very well know Steiff legacy designs – the shaggy “Zotty” bear pattern introduced in 1951, and the “lulac” style introduced in 1952. Zolac was only made from 1964 through 1966.
 

Our next fine furry friend is one of the hardest to find and most desirable post WWll Steiff bears produced. His name is Zooby Zoo Bear; he is 28 cm and head and arm jointed. He is made from tan mohair and has brown mohair feet. Zooby has brown and black pupil eyes, a shorter mohair muzzle, a brown embroidered nose, and an open peach felt lined mouth. His claws are made from white felt. He is self-standing; the soles of his feet are made from a brown leather-like material. Zooby was only made in 1964 and 1966. From a historical perspective, Zooby’s design is based somewhat on Steiff’s pre-war Zirkus-Baer or Circus Bear, a 32 cm standing bear produced from 1935 through 1939.
 

Now it is time to check out the bear many collector's consider to be Steiff's "First Lady." Here we have two fine examples of Steiff's Jackie bear design - one in 17 cm and one in 25 cm.  These beauties are five ways jointed and made from blond mohair. Their faces are detailed with brown and black pupil eyes and a brown hand embroidered nose and mouth. All Jackie bears have peach colored felt paw and foot pads, and a distinctly "portly" appearance: a short, stocky body; chunky, minimally curved limbs; and no breaks indicating their wrists. In terms of Steiff ID, every Jackie was labeled with a "raised script" style Steiff button, yellow ear flag, made in the US Zone tag, and special chest tag that read "Jackie Jubilee-Teddy 1903 - 50 - 1953. Overall, this pattern was produced in 17, 25, 35, and 75 cm from 1953 through 1955 only. 

It's easy to get blinded by the light - or in this case the white - when it comes to our next Baby Boomer bear design. Here we have a pair of Steiff's most unusual, and most desirable white Zotty bears. They are five ways jointed and made from very shaggy white mohair. Each has a peach colored mohair bib, peach felt paw pads, and a happy, smiling felt lined open mouth. Most collectors are quite familiar with his classic caramel mohair cousins - who appeared in 9 sizes and were beloved constants in the Steiff line from 1951 through 1978. On the other hand, these white wonders were only produced in 1960 and 1961 in 28 and 35 cm. 

And finally, although technically not a "bear," most collectors welcome Steiff's Koala bears with great enthusiasm into their hugs.   This particular example is 35 cm and made from tan and light tan mohair. He is five ways jointed and has mohair hands and feet that are quite detailed, with full digits noted. His chubby legs curve outward, and he almost looks to be in a yoga position as he sits. His face is detailed with black and brown pupil eyes, an open, felt lined mouth, and an inlaid grey felt nose. This pattern was made in 12 22, and 35 cm from 1955 though 1961; the smallest one is somewhat common, but the 22 and 35 cm versions are considered quite rare and desirable from the collector’s perspective. This was the first koala bear ever produced by Steiff.

Steiffgal hopes that this review of some of Steiff's Baby Boomer bears has brought you to a happy and peaceful place.

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