How Do You Make Vintage Steiff Buying Decisions?

Steiffgal had an interesting thought question posed to her the other day by one of her Steiff collecting-colleagues. This person had been collecting for many years, and had accumulated a significant collection of favorites and rarities. Sensing that they were at a new point in their collecting path, they simply asked, "How do I know when I should buy something for my collection, and when I should pass on an opportunity?" 

 

Of course, there is no one right (or wrong) answer to this inquiry, and it totally varies from person to person. Clearly, one's budget, buying patterns, available space, collection management strategies, preferences, and other factors play a huge role in "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" Steiff buying investments. However, after noodling the question for a while, Steiffgal came up with five general guideline recommendations for her colleague. She thought they might be helpful to some SteiffLife blog readers who may also be wondering about these sorts of things as well. 

 

1. If you have a mature collection, and/or have pivoted your interests to more expensive and rarer items, it is probably time to buy more with your head than with your heart. When many of us started collecting, we bought tons of Steiff items willy-nilly because they were available and we fell in love with them, or with the idea of growing our collection through them. That is buying with your heart. By buying with your head, Steiffgal means that collectors might want to think about each purchase a little more strategically, taking into full consideration the price of the item, the condition of the item, and how it fits into their collection. 

 

2. If you have been building your hug for a while, aim to have each new addition ELEVATE - not just expand - your collection. Consider purchasing non-redundant pieces that complement your existing inventory or take it in a new and exciting direction. For example, Steiffgal recently started collecting antique Steiff ephemera (catalogs, postcards, advertising materials, etc.) to display with her prewar items. This has opened many new doors as well as research opportunities. 

 

3. As your collection evolves over time, seriously consider only buying an item if you don't already have an example in your collection, or if it significantly upgrades one you already own. 

4. Following up on recommendation #3... if you are upgrading or replacing an item, rehome the replaced item ASAP. Don't hang onto it. This is one simple way to keep the potential for "collection clutter" in control, as well as paying (perhaps in part) for the replacement. "The more the merrier" doesn't hold true for most well curated collections. Depending on what you are selling, options for moving items along include eBay, Facebook marketplace, Craigslist, doll club sales and events, auctions, and other online channels. 

5. And, if you are still not sure if you should buy something after much consideration, ask yourself "What are the chances I will find another one in the foreseeable future?" All things being equal, if the answer is "slim to none," buy the item. If it is "likely to definitely” don’t buy the item. If it is somewhere in the middle, circle back to recommendations #1-4.

 

Steiffgal hopes this Steiff food for thought has added a little spice to your collecting outlook. 

 

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

Steiff's Window Display Guidelines From The Late 1950's

It's hard to argue that it's "the more the merrier" when it comes to Steiff.  Our sweet mohair friends from Giengen certainly look their finest when grouped with others.  Their gatherings always seem to say, "Let the fun begin!"  Recently, Steiffgal purchased a vintage Steiff catalog from 1957-58.  The front of this great piece of ephemera is pictured here on the left. In addition to the delightful illustrations and interesting product descriptions, this particular reference also included two groupings of specific presentation guidelines for storekeepers.   Let's take a look at these recommendations.  Is this the way you display your Steiff treasures as well?

Taking things by the book, the first group of helpful hints were....

 

Window Decoration and General Display of Steiff Animals

Steiff animals lend themselves most formidably in the creation of countless display motives e.g. circus, zoo, barnyard, meadow, etc. * A cleverly designed display will attract the passerby. * You too can center your whole display around one of these popular motives. * Whenever it is possible, please acquaint the buying public with the vast Steiff assortment.  Make your display as neat as possible, for the first impression of the product you are displaying should be a favorable one. * The public will buy Steiff products in the store showing the largest selection. * The collectors, constantly on the prowl for new species in the Steiff line will single out the store exhibiting the greatest variety. * Steiff animals should be on display constantly. Should space problems however not permit disposal of an entire window, group your Steiff animals together and do not scatter them individually all over the window.  * When arranging a display large or small make certain that you have a Steiff sign (see next page), to place in the center of your animal group.

And the second group were...

Helpful Hints in Selling Steiff Animals

After unpacking:
1.  Straighten ears. Face animal, place both thumbs in the ear and bring them into the correct position.
2.  Straighten ribbon or collar.  Ribbon or collar should not be twisted and the name tag denoting the animal should always be in front center.
3. Brush the animal. Brush the animal against the grain with a coarse brush to give it the "Natural Look."

The display:
Steiff animals look lost and forlorn if placed singly and amidst other toys.  Place them in groups or families, and whenever possible use a Steiff sign with your display.  

If showcases are available use same, for your Steiff animals look even more lifelike when displayed under or behind glass. The bigger your assortment the bigger your potential sales volume.  

Your importer of Steiff toys will assist you further with any display and advertising problem you may have, concerning the Steiff product.  

Please remember that many of your customers are "Steiff collectors" and would like to see the best possible variety in your store.  They also want to be kept abreast of "What is new in the Steiff animal kingdom." 

It is interesting to note that in both sets of display tips, the use of a Steiff sign was mentioned. And in the photographs associated with the second set, one was featured in all of the vignettes. Here on the left, you can see a close up of this sign from the late 1950's. It measures 12 cm wide and 8 cm tall. It is oval in shape and is made from cardboard. The front face is black velvet. The letters and logo are dimensionally printed in red. The sign stands via a small cardboard easel on the back. Steiffgal keeps this example in with a collection of 1950's era dogs and it indeed adds an interesting focal point to the display.
 
Steiffgal hopes this review of vintage Steiff presentation guidelines has brought a touch of order to you day!

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