Boy Oh Boy This Is One Interesting Steiff Doll!

Snips and snails and puppy dog tails - that's what little boys are made of. At least according to an early 19th century nursery rhyme. But what about Steiff little boy dolls? What are they made of? Well, that depends on the timeframe in which they were produced. Take a look at this delightful, and unusual, Steiff boy and see how his composition suggests a pretty specific production era.

Well hello handsome! Here we have Steiff's Erich. He is 35 cm tall and fully jointed. He comes to life with brown hair which has faded to silver over time, lovely blue and black glass pupil eyes, delicate painting to define his eyebrows, nostrils, cheeks, and mouth, and Steiff's distinctive and early vertical center seam facial construction. He also has two small horizontal seams by each of his eyes; these are original to his pattern and help add roundness and softness to his head and face shapes.

Erich is dressed for fun and play in his early 20th century style outfit. He dons a white cotton shirt, a cotton "one-sie" consisting of blue shorts and a black vest, a blue cotton jacket, a linen apron with a pocket, and blue and white striped socks and black felt shoes; most, if not all of these accessories are original to him. He retains his tiny long trailing "f" button and traces of his white ear tag as his IDs. This charming pattern was made in 28, 35, 43, and 50 cm from 1912-1927 overall.

So what about his actual composition? With his full permission and consent, Erich is happy to share his noteworthy make-up and is proud of his role in historical research! His head and arms are made from Steiff's traditional high quality felt. His legs are made from smooth, flesh colored linen; their color matches his felt pretty well. And his torso is made from a very coarse, blue and tan colored muslin material. More typically, a pre WWII doll from Steiff has a felt head, torso, and limbs. 

Erich's assembly makes sense if you think about it from the visibility, financial, and historical perspectives... and helps to inform his dating as well. 

• Visibility: The areas that are most seen - his face and arms - are made from the nicest materials. His legs, which are almost all covered by his shoes, socks, and shorts, are made from a less expensive fabric that somewhat "blends into" the rest of his body. And his torso - which usually never sees the light of day - is made from the cheapest and least elegant material. Overall, when dressed, has the appearance of being a quality, finely designed and produced Steiff doll.
• Financial: Given his materials, it is likely that Steiff was trying to manufacture him as inexpensively as possible. This suggests that money was tight throughout the German economy - both on the business and consumer sides.
• Historical: Just before, during, and after WWI, traditional, high quality toy making fabrics like mohair and felt were in short supply, rationed, or simply not available in Germany. Companies used what supplies they had on hand, or what they could source, to keep the business up and running.

Given his presentation, detailing, and body composition, it is Steiffgal's guess that Erich is a "wartime baby" and was born in the c. 1914-1919 time frame. Steiff has always done their best to deliver "only the best for our children" regardless of hardships and supply chain issues. Erich is a great case in point illustrating that business priority. 

Isn't it amazing he still has his boyish good looks, given he's over a century old?

Steiffgal hopes you found this discussion on Erich of material interest.

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

Everyone Loves a (Steiff) Man In Uniform!

Some Steiff treasures are so special - and personal - that you just want to stand and salute them.  And such is the exact case here with this "almost antique" felt soldier that Steiffgal most recently welcomed into her growing collection of turn of last century dolls.   Take a look at his handsome details and see what makes him so special from the design, historical, and in this case, family perspectives.

It's safe to say this distinguished gentleman makes quite the uniform presentation.  This is Steiff's five ways jointed "Infantryman" doll.  He is 28 cm and made entirely from felt.  His head and hands are made from flesh colored felt while his uniform and hat, which are integral to his body, are made from brown felt.  His center seamed face is detailed with tiny brown and black glass pupil eyes, red painted on lips, and light brown eyebrows.  His hair is indicated by very light brown airbrushing on the back of his head.  Soldier's uniform consists of a matching top coat, hat, and pants.  The hat is trimmed in red felt and has two decorative medallions on it.  The coat has a pointed collar, epaulets, and decorative buttons and trim on the cuffs.  Originally it had five tiny matching buttons down the front.  The pants are simple and detailed with red stitching.  Soldier has oilcloth shoes, a leather belt, and a ceremonial sabre.  Infantryman was made in 28 and 35 cm from 1914 though 1921.

It's hard to miss the large military medal pinned to the soldier's uniform.  This is an authentic German army "Iron Cross" from World War I, given for distinguished military service. The award is not original to the doll, most likely it was placed there by his original owner in honor of a loved one who fought in this war.  This particular Iron Cross has the era in which it was issued the year "1914".  The reverse of the medal has the year "1813" on it, symbolizing the year the award was created. 

When Steiffguy saw this doll and his medal, it immediately brought back a flood of memories for him.  As it turns out, his beloved Grandfather of blessed memory was also awarded this same medal for his service in WWI.  Steiffguy's Grandfather's name was Eugene Strauss Loewenstein.  He changed his last name to Lowell after arriving in the United States in 1922.  Eugene was born on June 18, 1896 near Mainz, Germany.  After taking the oath to serve in the German Army in late November 1914, he was wounded in action (head wound from shrapnel) on February 16, 1915 in France.   He subsequently was awarded the Iron Cross.  Eugene is pictured above, not in uniform, wearing his Iron Cross, in the city of Dusseldorf, Germany.  He is also pictured below wearing his Iron Cross, surrounded by friends after returning home from the war.  The hand written note on the back of the nearly century old photo reads:

"A Comic Photo - everyone (Berg, Klos, Reiner, Heisse, Gelenberg) dressed in long night shirts (no pajamas were used then) – all young friends who greeted me upon returning from the war.   Note Iron Cross.  These boys were all several years younger."

Steiffgal hopes this discussion of this Steiff soldier doll and the Iron Cross has won the battle of your heart.

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