Here's one inquiry that is definitely dressed for success! It's so nice to hear from new friends from overseas and today's technologies make it as easy as pressing a button! This question really caught Steiffgal's eye - and heart - given her love for Steiff's early through midcentury attired animal dolls. Check out this note from Denny from Germany who asks about a vintage family treasure. He shares,
"Hello I was recommended your site and I need advice on determining a Steiff-Haasen. It is an heirloom and cannot find this Steiff-Haasen anywhere. I'm interested in everything you can say about it. Thank you in advance and wish you a nice evening."
There's not a hare out of place when it comes to this sweet happy hopper. In terms of his basics, this boy bun is standing on flat feet, head jointed, and measures about 21 or 22 cm (as Steiff does not include the length of rabbit ears in its measurements.) His body is simply shaped with dangling arms and stiff, unjointed legs; it is made from a soft, pink colored fabric. His head, and the tops of his hands and feet, are made from mohair or another type of woolen fabric; it is hard to specifically tell from the photos. Steiff's items manufactured during periods of conflict or hardship - like when this guy was made - were often produced from a number of different types of fabric at any given time, given supply chain limitations.
Now let's check out his darling detailing. Rabbit's ears are lined in felt and are highlighted with a touch of pink airbrushing. His adorable face comes to life with proportional black and brown glass pupil eyes and a simple, pink hand embroidered nose and mouth. His clear monofilament whiskers have been loved off. He dons black felt trousers, a white textured shirt, and red felt suspenders; these clothes are original to him. These models traditionally also left the factory in Giengen wearing a little tie or bow at the neck. Because it was not sewn on, it must have been removed at some point and simply got lost to time. Rabbit doll retains his short "trailing f" button as his Steiff ID. His model was produced in 22 and 28 cm from 1937 through 1943.
Steiff produced this sweet guy as part of a delightful hare pair. His girl companion rabbit doll was dressed in a red shirt with a white collar and cuffs, a blue and white checkered skirt, and an orange apron. These two were called Hasbu and Hasmaid, and were the last new rabbit doll patterns launched prewar. Unlike many other animal dolls, these were only produced in one outfit style, perhaps because these were the only fabrics available at this very challenging socio-economic and political period in history. That is why is it is possible to identify Denny's rabbit with great certainty. You can see Hasbu and Hasmaid here on the left, the photo is from Pfeiffer's 1892-1943 Sortiment.
Steiffgal hopes this information about Denny's treasure has you jumping for joy!
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