A Vintage Steiff Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words!

What's old is new again when you recreate it using older Steiff friends! One thing Steiffgal has noticed, especially on really image-centric platforms like Instagram and Facebook, is that folks are "recreating" scenes from their childhood as adults - and often incorporating original props, backgrounds, or outfits. These are usually really fun, and cheerful, and show the effect of time on people, beloved artifacts, and settings. Here on the left you can see Steiffgal attempting to "recreate" a fantastic Steiff image she found online. This little girl is NOT Steiffgal, but they clearly share the love for fantastic vintage button-in-ear playthings. 

As Steiffgal was preparing for another Steiff project, she came across a charming company catalog from the late 1930s. This prewar brochure from her collection was printed in sepia tones and featured a number of utterly adorable product vignettes that really called to her - including this one of two farm friends and a cat-doll on a little stroll. So she thought... let's bring this to life again! You can see this vintage image here on the left. 

A picture is worth a thousand words - especially those featuring some of our most beloved vintage button in ear friends. Steiffgal has "recreated" this image using analogous items from her own collection; you can see this attempt here on the left. The calf is standing, unjointed, and made from white and light brown wool plush. He was produced in 14, 17, and 22 cm; Steiffgal's version is the 17 cm size. The lamb is standing, unjointed, and made from white wool plush with a "lumpy-bumpy" texture. He was made in 14, 17, 22, and 28 cm; Steiffgal's version is the 14 cm version. And the cat doll is standing, head jointed, and is available dressed in a number of different outfits. She was made in 22 and 28 cm; Steiffgal's version is the 22 cm version. 

It's always fun to use the information documented in vintage ephemera to learn a little bit more about the items being promoted. In this case, we can use the prices listed to figure out how much they would "cost" today. So, here's how each item noted was priced in 1938, and the approximate cost of each today in US dollars using an inflation calculator:

• The 14 cm calf was 1.90 DM, which is about $14.01 in 2020.
• The 17 cm calf was 2.50 DM, which is about $18.43 in 2020.
• The 22 cm calf was 3.50 DM, which is about $28.81 in 2020.
• The 14 cm lamb was 1.90 DM, which is about $14.01 in 2020.
• The 17 cm lamb was 2.50 DM, which is about $18.43 in 2020.
• The 22 cm lamb was 3.50 DM, which is about $28.81 in 2020.
• The 28 cm lamb was 5.00 DM, which is about $36.87 in 2020.
• The 22 cm cat doll was 2.50 DM, which is about $18.43 in 2020.
• The 28 cm cat doll was 3.50 DM, which is about $28.81 in 2020.

Steiffgal hopes that this discussion on recreating vintage images has been a picture perfect experience for you!

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

This Vintage Standing Steiff Molly Is Absolutely Picture Perfect!

Good golly, who doesn't love Steiff's adorable Mollies?  These precious pups have been delighting Steiff collectors since their introduction in 1925.  Most enthusiasts are familiar with the company's sweet sitting style Molly dogs.  However, the company also made lesser known standing versions of this legacy design.  Steiffgal had the great pleasure of adopting one of these standing sweeties over the summer, and this one came with a neat surprise - but more about that later.  Here's a bit more about this fantastic find.

Clearly, there's no need to sit and stay with this marvelous Molly! She is 17 cm tall and 25 cm long, head jointed, and made from long off white mohair. When she was new, her back, sides, face, and bottom and were beautifully airbrushed with brown patches, but those highlights have faded over time. Her ears are made from mohair and are "folded over" as typical to her design. She has very large brown and black pupil eyes and a black hand embroidered nose, mouth, and claws. When she was new, her mouth had a slight touch of red, accenting her lips. She has a nonworking squeaker in her belly. Her collar is not original to her, although it was made by Steiff.

Molly was introduced in the Steiff line in 1925 in both sitting and standing versions.  This standing Molly was produced in 8, 12, 14, 17, 22, 28, and 35 cm through 1936.  Other standing models included Molly dogs on regular and eccentric wooden wheels, hanging pram toys, musical versions, and barking pull toys; a few of these novelties were manufactured until the early 1940's. No version of standing Molly was reintroduced after the factory reopened for business post war in the late 1940's.

This standing Molly has spent her life as a "friend for life," and Steiffgal has the proof!  When she purchased this blue ribbon buddy, she came with a very special treat - provenance, in the form of four vintage, black and white photo postcards of her with her original owner! Each is 13-1/2" cm by 8-1/2 cm and has the words, "Frankfurt a. M. - T. H. Voight. - Bad Homburg v. d. H." printed on the back.  Here are these four charming pictures.

This first photo shows the beautiful little girl resting on a cushion.  She is holding a large doll, and Molly peeks out behind her legs.  This photo is not dated.

This second photo is quite similar to the first one, and you can also make out more details about her doll.  Molly stands right in front and you can see her coloring and perhaps a bit of her original ribbon or chest tag.  This photo is also not dated.

This third photo features the little girl standing up and holding Molly.  Her dress is the same in all three of these photos.  This is probably the best view of the Molly, and you can clearly make out Molly's round, metal rimmed chest tag. This photo is dated February 15, 1928.

This final photo shows the little girl posing with an older woman, perhaps her mom, an aunt, cousin, or even an older sister.  It is hard to tell, and there aren't alot of clues in the photo.  Here she clutches Molly like a toy, and you can make out what is probably the ribbon around Molly's neck.  This photo is dated 1927.    

Steiffgal hopes this discussion on this standing Molly with provenance has been picture perfect for you.

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