Tune In For More Information About This Fabulous Steiff Novelty!

Today's blog post is going to be music to your ears - really! In the prewar era, Steiff produced a number of really marvelous novelties based on their most popular characters of the time. Check out this remarkable find from a new friend across the pond who asks about an antique dog that can carry a tune probably better than most of us. Zoe shares:

"I'm really interested to find out if my lovely dog is a genuine Steiff, I have done a little research but can't seem to find a dog the same as him which contains musical bellows, when his tummy is squeezed he makes a lovely twinkling noise! He has the Steiff button in his ear with the underling f which I've found out that he was made between 1908 and 1920, he also has his original pink ribbon! I have enclosed some pics I'd love to know if he is real? He also has most of his fur but has faded as under his ears is darker. Best wishes, Zoe" 

Let's put the spotlight on this wonderfully talented Steiff dog. What we have here is Steiff's Musical Molly. She is standing, 28 cm tall, and made from long white mohair. When she left the factory over a century ago, her mohair was brown-tipped on her ears, around her eyes, and on her rear back. Sometimes this fades over time. She comes to life with oversized black and brown glass pupil eyes, a black hand embroidered nose and mouth, and folded over ears. She has black embroidered claws on each of her paws. When you squeeze her midsection, she plays a merry tune. Her notes are produced by a "press and release" style music box. 

Zoe's blue ribbon buddy was produced in this size only from 1928-1931. Molly was also produced as a sitting "press and release" musical animal in 25 cm during the same time frame. This production timeline corresponds perfectly to the IDs on this musical dog under review today. Standing musical Molly sports a long trailing "f" button and remains of her red ear tag, both which appeared in tandem on items in the late 1920s-early 1930s. 

Musical animals have been featured sporadically in the Steiff line since the mid-1920s. Given that the company's items were mostly designed as "friends for life" for children, it would make sense that some higher end models would also feature the ability to lull a child to sleep with imbedded musical features. 

High quality, European made music boxes became available on a large, commercial scale in the mid 1920's. Seeing this as a product development opportunity, Steiff created a series of "Music-Animals" in 1928. This chorus included Molly dogs, a Teddy bear, Petsy the baby bear, Bully the bulldog, Cheerio the laughing puppy, Fellow the puppy, Charly the King Charles Spaniel, Treff the bloodhound, Fluffy the cat, a clown, and a standing lamb. Most had a "press and release" style music box; standing Charly's music box was activated by pulling on his tail. These items appeared overall in sizes ranging from 17 through 43 cm. However, despite their charming appearance and musical features, these collectibles were quite expensive and few were made. Unfortunately at the time, sales were minimal - probably because of cost - and they were last featured in the catalog in 1930/1931.

Steiffgal hopes this discussion on Zoe's Musical Molly dog has added a chorus of delight to your day.

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

This Musical Steiff Cocker Spaniel Can't Smile Without You!

They say that music soothes the savage beast. So given all the unsettling news that seems to be everywhere these days, Steiffgal thought this singing sweetie might just add a touch of joy to your day! Perhaps we can wind things down a notch by introducing you to "Music Cockie," who has one of Steiff's more "dynamic" music box feature designs. Come see what makes makes this maestro so interesting from the product design perspective.
 

This musical Cockie Cocker Spaniel just can't wait to break out in song for you. She is 17 cm, head jointed, and sitting. Cockie is made from black and white mohair. Her ears, rear, and tail are made from long wavy black mohair; the sides of her head are made from short black mohair. Her body and limbs are made from long wavy white mohair, while her muzzle and face are made from short white mohair. Cockie's adorable face is detailed with a huge, open, velvet lined mouth, a hand embroidered nose, and black and brown pupil eyes. She has a tail winding style music box, meaning that her musical talents are "activated" by turning her tail in a circular motion. You can see how that works in the video above.
 

It is interesting to note Steiff only produced one other "tail winding style" musical animal. This was a cat named Kitty. Like Cockie, Kitty was also 17 cm. She had a closed mouth and was made from white and grey mohair. Both Cockie and Kitty appeared in the line from 1955 to 1957, and then again in 1961. It is not unusual to find both models lacking the mohair covering on their tails, probably because this area got so much attention and wear from play. 

Steiff's Musical Cockie represents a relatively unusual example in the range of music box animals the company has produced over time. High quality, European made music boxes became available on a large, commercial scale in the mid 1920's. Seeing the potential in this, Steiff created a line of musical animals based on its most popular items of the era. And, for almost 100 years since then, the company has had musical offerings in the line - although the music box style and activation has changed significantly over the years.

Steiff's "Music-Animals" made their grand stage debut in 1928. This chorus included a five ways jointed Teddy bear, a brown tipped Petsy the baby bear, Bully the bulldog, Molly the puppy, Cheerio the laughing puppy, Fellow the puppy, Charly the King Charles Spaniel, Treff the bloodhound, Fluffy the cat, a clown, and a standing lamb.  Most had a "press and release" style music box; standing Charly's music box was activated by pulling on his tail. These items appeared overall in sizes ranging from 17 through 43 cm. However, despite their charming appearance and musical features, these collectibles were quite expensive and few were made.  Unfortunately at the time, sales were minimal - probably because of cost -  and they were last featured in the catalog in 1930/1931.  

After a two-decade long intermission, Steiff began orchestrating musical animals again in the 1950's.  In 1950, the company featured three new musical animals:  a "Music Bazi," a "Music Teddy Baby," and a "Music Kitty." Their music boxes were activated by gently squeezing their bodies up and down like an accordion.  All of these early post war musical animals appeared in the line in 1950 through 1951 only. Then in 1951, Steiff introduced "Music Teddy," whose design was based on the updated "Original Teddy Bear" pattern that was also introduced in 1951. Right the middle of his belly was a red felt circle that had the word "music" printed in white on it. When this spot was squeezed and released, it played a sweet lullaby.  Music Teddy was so popular that Steiff created "Music Jocko,"  based the company's standard line 35 cm brown mohair chimpanzee. Like Music Teddy, Music Jocko had a squeeze-activated music box implanted in his belly, which was also noted by a red felt disk on his belly. Both Music Jocko and Music Teddy (pictured above on the left) appeared in the line from 1951 through 1957; their production time slightly overlapping with Musical Cockie under discussion here.  

As music box technologies because less expensive and more durable, Steiff began putting them in more playthings designed specifically for babies and children. Since the 1970's, Steiff has made numerous plush, washable cotton, and velour musical items. Unlike Steiff's earlier models, these had wind up or pull cord musical mechanisms, and in some cases, the music box could be removed so the outer shell could be laundered. Today, Steiff frequently puts music boxes into child-friendly products.  Music boxes are also featured in "higher end" collectibles and special editions (like 2004's "American Pride" bear, pictured above on the left), and have become a regular feature in special Christmas and co-branded items. 

Steiffgal hopes this discussion on Steiff's Musical Cockie has added a happy tune to your day. 

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