Steiff's Midcentury Dally-Tally!

It's time to cross your "T's" and dot your "I's" with this next Steiff story. Steiff's first Dalmatian dog appeared in the 1953 catalog - nearly 70 years after the company's launch in the late 1800s. This delay is noteworthy as Dalmatians are known as hunting dogs (and hunting is a popular pastime in Germany), and that they originated somewhat locally to Germany in the Dalmatia region of present day Croatia. Better late than never!

Steiff's legacy - and still appealing and collectible today - standard line Dalmatian was named Dally. They debuted at a time when Steiff was actively rebuilding its business postwar; part of this strategy included introducing a number of adorable, smaller sized mohair pet designs that were easy to collect, distribute, and market. Dally was produced 10, 17, and 28 cm. All sizes were sitting, head jointed, and stuffed with excelsior. They were made from white mohair gloriously spotted with black airbrushing. All sizes had an open, smiling mouth, a black stitched nose, and brown and black pupil eyes. Each left the factory in Giengen wearing a red collar. These charmers appeared in the line through 1969. Baby Dally is pictured her on the left.

Given his popularity, Dally's pattern was the inspiration for several product line extensions, most notably two hand puppets. The first was 17 cm and matched the fabric and detailing of Dally - including his signature open mouth. He was simply a head, arms, and hollow body in form, and was in the catalog from 1955 - 1956. Today, he is one of the company's rarer postwar puppets. You can see him here on the left, alongside a baby Dally. The second Dalmatian puppet, Mimic Dally, was 28 cm. Unlike the 17 cm version, this more elaborate plaything had a head, arms, a hollow body, as well as feet and a tail. You could move his mouth with your fingers to make him talk. He was made from 1958 - 1959 and is also quite rare on the secondary market.

Dalmatians also caught the eye of the toy store F.A.O. Schwarz. As such, Steiff created several special edition Dalmatians for the upscale retailer. The first, a standing version of Dally, was made in 11, 22, and 28 cm. The 11 cm size was made in 1953 only, while the 22 and 28 cm sizes were made in 1955 only. Here on the left you can see an 11 cm version and the 28 cm version. If anyone has the 22 cm version, please let me know! LOL! It is interesting to note that both a sitting and standing version of Dally are featured on the cover of Gunther Pfeiffer's 1947-1999 Steiff Sortiment reference book. 

In addition to standing Dally, Schwarz also worked with Steiff to create several other Dalmatian themed novelties for their stores. One was a 23 cm sitting Dally; he was also based on the standard line Dally design. He was produced in 1953 only. Another was a Dally Family, which consisted of one 23 cm Dally, one 11 cm standing Dally, and two 10 cm sitting Dally pups, all resting on a cushion in a wicker dog bed. This set was only produced in 1953, and is probably the rarest of the pet family baskets, given it includes two exclusive items. This is pictured here on the left. Also of note was a lying Dally. He was curled up on his side in a realistic, resting position. He was made in 28, 43, and 60 cm in 1956 only. And perhaps the most "regal" Dally was Royal Dally, a 14 cm, closed mouth begging Dalmatian wearing a crown and cape. He was available in 1963 only. 

The final midcentury Dalmatian under discussion today is also spotlight worthy. In 1962, Steiff partnered with Disney to produce a version of Rolly from the movie, 101 Dalmatians. This family favorite flick debuted in 1961 and was based on the 1956 book The Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith. Rolly was of the named Dalmatians in the movie. This sweet, playful, and youthful pattern was made in 12 and 22 cm in 1962 only; they are pictured here on the left. Both sizes were standing, unjointed, and had distinctive cartoon style eyes. The larger version had a dimensional nose made from black velvet. Although Steiffgal can think of several pets of the same era with velvet muzzles, most had black embroidered noses. A velvet nose is an unusual detail for a Steiff animal.

Steiffgal hopes you enjoyed the overview of Steiff's Dally tally.

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