Going Loopy Over The History Of Steiff's Wolf Production

Some of Steiff's creations leave collector's howling in delight. It is safe to say wolves are one of those very special designs! These majestic creatures did not appear in the Steiff line until 1956 - more than six decades onward from the company's late 1890s debut catalog. Let's join the pack and check out some of these field and forest highlights that have graced the Steiff catalog over the years.

Steiff's debut wolf was a 17 cm tall puppet named Loopy. His body was made from tan mohair with grey highlights on his back and arms. His face was made from longer tan mohair; it was airbrushed with a few shades of grey, tan, and brown to give it depth and texture. He came to life with black and green slit eyes, a black stitched nose, and an open, felt mouth - complete with four pointy teeth and a red felt tongue. His paws had black hand embroidered claws. This design was produced from 1956 through 1978. You can see this puppet pictured here on the left. 

Steiff's next wolf was based on the company's Loopy puppet, and was a full bodied creature. This is unusual as Steiff traditionally debuted a full bodied item, and then created a puppet novelty from that item's pattern - not the other way around. Full bodied Loopy was made in 25 and 35 cm. He was unjointed and made from long and short grey mohair, which was detailed with airbrushed highlights. He had black embroidered claws and came to life with an inset facial mask, brown and black pupil eyes, black embroidered facial features, and a touch of airbrushing. The smaller version had a closed mouth; the larger version had an open mouth with a felt tongue. Loopy was produced in 1964 only and today is one of the rarest and most sought after Steiff postwar editions. You can see the 25 cm version of full bodied Loopy here on the left. 

It is not clear why standing Loopy appeared in the catalog for only a year. He is pictured in the Steiff Button In Ear Brand New Models 1964 catalog on page three of this publication and you can see that entry here on the left. Snurry, the sleeping cat, and a white dralon Cosy Teddy graced the cover of this brochure. Steiff usually put its most important debut items on the cover of these publicity pieces. This suggests that the company never had high hopes for this design.

Other somewhat more recent mohair wolves in the line include the distinctly youthful Loopy wolf, who was 12 cm, sitting, and head jointed. This happy handful appeared in the line from 1991-1993 and is also relatively rare. You can see him here on the left. And in 2003, Steiff introduced a wolf as part of the company's Last Frontier Animals series for North America. This example was 26 cm tall, standing, and made in an edition size of 1,500 pieces.

It is interesting to note that Steiff's wolf production has traditionally featured wolves as companions to other dolls or animals. Here are a few examples of that. In 1983, Steiff made a mohair Big Bad Wolf face mask in an edition size of 3,000 to accompany Reeves International's Suzanne Gibson Little Red Riding Hood set. In 1988, the company produced an adorable Teddy baby and wolf set made in an edition size of 1,000 for the toy store Speilwaren Wolff of Giengen, Germany as part of Steiff's 85th anniversary celebration. This mohair wolf was 15 cm tall, standing, and unjointed. And in 1995, Steiff introduced its Polar bear and wolf set - also for Speilwaren Wolff - in an edition size of 2,000 pieces. This wolf was sitting, unjointed, and was detailed with a red collar. You can see this handsome pair here on the left. 

And finally, what is the tie between the word "Loopy" and Steiff's midcentury wolf production? "Lupin" sounds a lot like the name Loopy - and for good reason! Lupin (or lupine) directly translates to wolf or wolf-like, and originates from the Latin word lupus (wolf) and lupinus (of or belonging to a wolf). So that all makes perfect sense from a naming perspective.

Steiffgal hopes this discussion on Steiff's wolf production has you running with the wolves - in the best possible way!

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

Picturing The Possible Design Origins Of Steiff's Beloved Jocko Chimpanzee

Steiffgal was working a project for one of her auction house clients and came across this charming image. Well, actually it came to her... probably because Steiff is usually in her head at any given time!

Image from Potter & Potter Auctions

What we have here is a 28 x 37-¼" printed broadside from around 1913. It was published in Hamburg, Germany by Adolph Friedländer, a man who ran a lithography company that produced over 9,000 posters between 1872 and 1935. Most of these were for performers and traveling acts, including magicians and circus and vaudeville performers. The words on the poster read Every Evening / Jeden Abend / Tous Les Soirs, and it is illustrated with a performing chimpanzee in four vignettes: modeling a tuxedo and top hat with a cane and cigarette; tossing a barrel over his head; riding a bicycle down a flight of stairs; and walking on stilts. The three languages on the poster suggest that this primate performance was international, or at least appeared in the UK, Germany, and France. This item is lot #256 at Potter & Potter Auctions' February 1, 2025 Wunderkammer sale, and is estimated at $2,000-3,000.   

Image from Zwiggelaarauctions.nl

So what is the possible connection to Steiff here? It is interesting to note that starting around 1910 or so, trained, performing chimpanzees were the darlings of the entertainment world. They appeared in circuses, in sideshow and venue acts, and in publicity photos and postcards - usually dressed in scaled human clothing. Steiff has always been aware of current events, media trends, and popular culture as inspirations for new product design. This started around 1904 or so, when the company produced a licensed version of Peter Rabbit - who at the time was making headlines in the children's literature world. Other history/cultural/celebrity productions of basically the same era included a series of dolls based on the Happy Hooligans comic strip; Caesar, the King's dog; and Tige (Buster Brown's dog), among many others. 

Primates have appeared in several forms in the Steiff line since the company's catalog debut in 1894. However, in 1909, Steiff introduced its most realistic, lifelike, and appealing brown mohair chimpanzee. Coincidence or not?

Image from Steiff's 1913 catalog

This fully jointed primate pattern - which would "officially" be named Jocko in 1929 - had authentic body and limb proportions and lifelike felt hands, feet, and facial features. Medium sized Jockos onward sported a white mohair chin and featured felt eye pockets. This ocular detailing meant that their brown and black glass pupil eyes were surrounded by raised felt eyelids. Brown mohair Jocko was produced in 15 sizes, ranging from 10 to 90 cm, from 1909 through 1943 overall.  

Image from Zwiggelaarauctions.nl

Bringing this discussion full circle, Steiffgal found an almost identical version of this poster, except that it had the words "The great consul Patsy" written in large letters across the bottom. She could not discover additional details on Patsy, but infers that the chimp pictured may have been named Patsy. Patsy was a popular boy's name in the early 1900s, and derives from a Latin word meaning “noble,” “nobleman,” or “patrician.” It is intriguing to think that someone from Steiff may have seen this poster, or performance, or one like it, and decided that it was time to elevate the company's chimp design to match the popular aesthetic of the time. And collectors more than a century onward are thanking them for this really wise choice!

Steiffgal hopes this discussion on Jocko's possible design origins has been a feast for your eyes!

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

The More The Merrier With Steiff's Charming Fox Terriers

Fox Terriers are - and for the most part have always been - one of the most sought after, and prolific breeds in Steiff's kennel club. These energetic and fearless pups have appeared in Steiff's product line since the late 1800s. Here's an overview of their history to explain why they are considered top dogs by so many button-in-ear collectors. (A "real life" one is pictured here on the left for reference; the photo is from Purina.)

Steiff has traditionally taken inspiration for new product introductions from popular cultural trends. Fox Terriers started to gain prominence in the last quarter of the 19th century. In 1876, the Fox Terrier Club of England was established, and in 1885 the American Fox Terrier Club followed suit. Fox Terriers took top honors at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1907, 1908, and 1909. It was clear that this breed captured the hearts and minds of dog fans.

As such, Steiff wasted no time in providing enthusiasts with their versions of these popular pups. Fox Terriers made their first appearance in the Steiff line in 1899, just a handful of years after the company's commercial catalog launch in 1892. The earliest ones were made from felt or velvet. Typical to the period, Steiff's debut Fox Terrier came on metal wheels and was made from felt. Mohair became available on a commercial scale in 1903 and shortly after, mohair Fox Terriers graced the pages of the Steiff catalog. Through the mid-1940s, close to 40 different models were produced in practically all forms, including sitting, standing, and lying toys; woolen miniatures; hand puppets; pincushions; pull toys on wheels; ride-on toys; and waterproof bath toys, among others. The Fox Terrier pictured here on the left is fully jointed and dates from around 1909.

Naming products took on new meaning and importance in the mid-1920s at Steiff. Around 1924, the company started to adapt their product development and marketing strategies to match the carefree, upbeat culture of the "roaring 20s." They updated or launched many new dogs and cats that featured distinctly youthful, playful, and innocent personalities. And they began giving them gentle, childlike names. Prior to that, most dogs and cats were noted generically or as their biological breed. Given their popularity, Fox Terriers were a big part of this strategy. As such, new Fox Terriers introduced in the 1920s and 1930s were named "Ajax," "Spotty," "Foxy, and "Strupp" (pictured here on the left), among others.

Midcentury, Fox Terriers continued to be a blue ribbon breed for Steiff. They were among the first items produced once the factory was up and running for toy making business in the late 1940s. A Fox Terrier made from artificial silk plush in four sizes ranging from 10 to 29 cm in 1949 lead the pack. The little mohair Fox pictured here on the left measures only 7 cm and was produced around 1949. Starting in the early 1950s, when mohair became available again on a commercial scale, playful Steiff Fox Terriers in a full range of sizes would be produced as stand-alone toys, puppets, and on wheels. Steiff would go on to design and produce over 20 Fox Terrier designs from the late 1940’s onward, and a Fox Terrier of one sort or another has appeared in the line almost continuously to this day.

Perhaps the most popular vintage Steiff Fox Terrier among collectors today is the company's version produced from 1949 - 1975. He is beloved for his gentle yet authentic appearance as well as his natural charm posing with dolls. This design was called Fox up to 1953 and Foxy from 1954 onwards. He was made in 11 sizes ranging from 7 to 36 cm over time. Fox/Foxy dogs were standing on all fours and made from white mohair detailed with black and tan airbrushed spots. The smallest versions had felt ears while the larger ones had mohair ears. All had brown and black pupil eyes and a simple hand embroidered nose and mouth. This model was also produced as a pull toy on wooden wheels in 17 and 22 cm from 1949 - 1961, as a ride-on model from 1949 - 1966, and sitting in three sizes ranging from 10 to 17 cm in 1953 - 1955. Collectors may recognize the 8 cm version as the one sold with the Vogue Doll Company's "Ginny" doll as Ginny's pup "Sparky" in 1956. You can see Sparky here on the left; he is wearing his all original plaid jacket and wearing his black leash.  

Steiffgal hopes this discussion on the history of Steiff's popular Fox Terrier breed has been a real crowd pleaser for you.

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

Sending Gigantic Midcentury Teddy Hugs To You!

Steiffgal's got news. Really big news! Super-humongous news! A brand new cub has joined her hug, and she couldn't be more excited or pleased. But this isn't just any Ted, he's really in a class all to himself. Come learn more about this bouncing bundle of joy and what makes him so interesting from the design and historical perspectives.

This big, beautiful bear is of course a huge Teddy baby. He measures 40 inches or 100 cm tall. He is solidly stuffed with excelsior and weighs a whopping 16 pounds. He is five ways jointed and made from glowing, long shaggy blonde mohair. His inset facial muzzle and the tops of his flat toddler feet are made from shorter matching blonde mohair. His nose and claws are hand embroidered in brown. He has a smiling, open, peach colored felt lined mouth and a touch of tan airbrushing to give his face a bit more definition. The same peach colored felt lines his paw pads. His eyes are oversized, brown and black pupil style. And he wears a blue leather color that is decorated with a bell and 16 raised script style buttons. His working growler is activated by a metal pull string and loop on his back.

The Teddy Baby pattern is a legacy one for Steiff. It debuted in 1929; pre-World War II, Teddy Baby was made in 9, 12, 13, 15, 20, 22, 25, 30, 35, 38, 40, 45, and 65cm sizes. It is interesting to note that Teddy Baby was one of the very first items Steiff started producing when the factory in Germany opened after the war. Due to limited supplies and logistical complications, he was made in artificial silk plush in 1948. Then, once supplies and operations were back in order, he was produced in blonde or brown mohair in 9, 22, 28, 30, and 40 cm in the identical pattern made before the war. All sizes over 9 cm came with a leather collar with a bell. Teddy Baby remained in the Steiff line from 1949 to 1957, although due to his popularity with collectors, has been replicated many times in numerous limited edition series. Here above you can see a variety of early postwar standard line Teddy baby bears ranging from 9 to 40 cm. 

So... what's the history behind this larger than life version? He's only had one family, so Steiffgal was able to get the entire scoop on him from his original owners. Here's what she learned. This bear was purchased in about 1950 from Macy's on 34th Street in New York City. The woman who Steiffgal purchased this bear from was a little girl at the time and accompanied her father to the store to pick out a special present for her mother. Their mom loved Teddy bears, so of course Steiff would be a perfect fit for this mission. The two walked into Macy's toy department and saw him there... and it was love at first sight! They bought the bear right away for $100 at the time. Today, $100 in 1950 dollars has the buying power of almost $1,100 today! A pretty penny both then and now. Mom loved the bear, and treated him like a prince - bringing him out once a year to add to the family's Christmas celebrations. 

Size defies in a number of ways when it comes to this Ted. Clearly, he is not from the standard line, which topped out at 65 cm early postwar. Steiff did make a display, or studio sized brown mohair Teddy baby in 60 inches or 150 cm in the mid-1960s. You can see the 1967 catalog page promoting this bear above. And, he's not a "one of a kind" as other almost identical one was sold at auction a few years back. It is Steiffgal's suspicion that this bear in this size may have been produced in very low numbers for "special" or high profile customers around 1950. This was exactly the timing in which Steiff was trying to regain its worldwide distribution, reputation, and visibility right after WWII. As such, it is possible that the company produced these "monumental" sized and styled bears to catch the eye, attention, and wallets of affluent midcentury consumers. And what better place than Macy's in NYC to make that happen!?

Finally, Steiffgal can't emphasize enough the power of a good scrub when it comes to welcoming a new vintage friend into your hug. Yes, this Ted is GORGEOUS and his original family took extra loving care of him. However, he's been around almost 70 years without a bath... so that's the first thing Steiffgal did when she got him home. Over the course of two hours, he went from totally handsome to POSITIVELY GLOWING with the help of a dozen white washcloths, a light cleaning solution, and lots of elbow grease. You can see his "before" and "after" cleaning photos here on the left.   

Steiffgal hopes this discussion on this huge Teddy baby has brought you enormous joy today.

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

This Steiff First Feline Is Of Presidential Caliber

Like many felines, the stories associated with Steiff's fabulous and legacy arched-backed black Tom Cats seem to have nine lives. And here's another one that Steiffgal has just discovered!

Look what just snuck in on little cat's feet. While doing some research for an unrelated Steiff project, Steiffgal came across this very interesting blurb in the Cieslik's Button In Ear The History of the Teddy Bear and His Friends reference book. She was looking up information on tea cozies, and the book pictures a black Tom Cat on one of these kitchen-helpers. In addition, the copy describing the photo notes... "This Tom Cat was especially popular at Halloween time in the USA and was also in demand as a souvenir item, as "Blackie the White House Mascot, c. 1924." The picture from Cieslik's book is pictured here on the left. 

This was the first Steiffgal had ever heard of Blackie, so she did a little research. Most people are familiar with US Presidents having a "First Dog" pet as part of their administration family. For example, LBJ invited his famous beagle pair "Him and Her" to many official White House affairs and happenings. But it turns out that in 1924, there was a "First Cat," or actually a pair of First Cats, belonging to President Calvin Coolidge and his wife. According to the Oct. 22, 1923 edition of the New York Tribune, these two pretty kitties made their debut as follows:

“THE NEWEST ARRIVALS AT THE WHITE HOUSE: Introducing Blackie & Tige, two friendly kittens recently received by the President and Mrs. Coolidge. Peter Pan and Laddie Buck, the President’s wire-haired terrier and Airedale, respectively, have refused to be quoted concerning the latest additions to the White House zoo.” This 1923 picture from the story is from the Library of Congress.

So how does all of this fit into Steiff's product development and design history? Purrr-fectly, actually. The original Tom Cat was produced in both black and white velvet. Both versions were very skinny, standing on all fours, unjointed, and had arched backs and open mouths. They all left the factory in Giengen, Germany wearing a silk ribbon and bell. Black Tom cats were produced in 10, 14, and 17 cm from 1904 through 1918. White Tom cats were produced in 14 and 17 cm for three years only - from 1906 through 1908 - and are exceptionally rare. You can see one of these very early velvet Tom Cats here on the left, he dates from around 1905 or 1906.

It is interesting to note that there was a five year gap in black Tom Cat production, with the final ones leaving the Giengen factory in the late 19-teens. Then, all of a sudden, this beloved pattern re-emerged in 1923 - just as Blackie here in the US was making headlines.  Like his older brother, Steiff's 1920s-era black Tom Cat also was standing and unjointed. He was produced in 8, 10, 14, 17, 22, and 28 cm through 1943; the 8 and 10 cm sizes were made from black velvet while the 14 cm and larger versions were made from mohair. All sizes had prominent green and black glass eyes. Unlike the original super skinny Tom Cat, design, these were all a little more robust in appearance, had closed mouths, and bushy mohair tails regardless of sizes. These design updates reflect the general mid-1920s Steiff aesthetic of "fluffy, fat, and feminine." You can see one of these 1920-era black Tom Cats here on the left, he dates from about 1923 through 1935. 

Given Steiff has always looked to headline making news for product development inspiration, Steiffgal suspects the grand second debut of its black Tom cat pattern in 1923 was no coincidence at all.

Steiffgal hopes this amazing and little known Steiff cat tale has tickled your whiskers today. 

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

Oh, Shoot!

"Welcome to our world of toys!" When you think of those words, what comes to mind? F.A.O. Schwarz, of course! And the good news is that all Steiff, doll, and toy collectors will soon have the opportunity to hear that delightful tune again, as the store reopens for business on November 16th, 2018 in Rockefeller Center in New York City. It's the update we've all be waiting for, after tearfully saying goodbye to this world-class institution for what we all thought was forever in 2015. Do whatever you have to do... walk, take a car, bus, train, plane, or the subway to visit the new store when it debuts soon. Steiffgal is certain that you will experience "The Return to Wonder" the store promises! (The photo of a mini "pop up" F.A.O. Schwarz store shown above is from www.cnbc.com.)

As part of this grand opening celebration, Steiffgal (and her collection) had the pleasure of contributing to a short film that will be shown as part of the store's debut in a few weeks. The movie focuses on the remarkable legacy of the F.A.O. Schwarz company and the instrumental role the Schwarz family had in the world economy and business community from the mid-1800s onward. Here is a behind-the-scenes look at how a very long day of filming here at Steiffgal's house will help bring parts of that story to life.

After a week of frenetic planning, the crew from the Ewers Brothers film production company arrived on location around 9am. The team included a director, a producer, an assistant producer, a cinematographer, and an assistant cinematographer. All were fantastic, extremely professional, respectful of the collection and house, and just plain fun to be around. The team brought an enormous amount of movie-making items in hard cases, tubes, suitcases, rolls, and just about any packing case you can imagine. As the parking and traffic was crazy in Steiffgal's neighborhood at this time, load-in was a little complicated logistically, but everyone was in good humor and this task was accomplished within 30 minutes or so. Given the amount of materials they brought, these items took over much of Steiffgal's first floor, including the kitchen! 

Next, the crew toured the house to find the best place to "set up camp" for the interview sessions. They needed an area with an interesting background, the right light, and enough space to arrange what seemed like an infinite amount of technologies, a huge camera, multiple screens, and other filming apparatus. It was decided that this would take place in Steiffgal's living room, which is also the largest room in the house. Within an hour, this usually quiet space (which just that morning was where Steiffgal and family enjoyed a low-keyed breakfast and coffee) was transformed into what looked like an international broadcasting booth!

An important part of putting together a film like this is the inclusion of old photos, letters, catalogs, and other ephemeral things to round out the story and to ground it in history. Steiffgal, with the help of the Schwarz family and some wonderful and generous toy-colleagues, pulled together a table full of these items expressly for this purpose. The film team brought along an electronic scanner. The assistant producer studied these historical documents and scanned the ones that would be relevant and helpful to the project. It took her practically the entire day to complete this herculean task.

The main interview set took about two hours to arrange and finalize. This time was spent adjusting light levels, angles, volumes, noise controls, and other factors that all come together to make the ideal venue. Steiffgal was surprised when simple black metal chairs from her porch were selected as the interview seats, not the couch as she anticipated. All in all, the set from the interviewee's perspective consisted of two chairs facing each other, about two feet apart. The camera was behind one of the chairs. The person being interviewed faced the camera; the interviewer sat in the other chair and never appeared on camera. There were various lights, screens, and other apparatus all within that very small space. The producer held a device about the size of a tablet that allowed her to view what the camera saw and make adjustments as needed.

Overall, the crew interviewed three people during the day - two members of the F.A.O. Schwarz family and Steiffgal. Each interview took about an hour and was casual and very conversational. The interviewer had carefully prepared a slate of general questions for everyone, as well as specific questions per person. For example, family members were asked about their memories of the store and their relatives, what it was like to "grow up Schwarz," and the role of toys and play in their lives. Steiffgal was asked what the store means to collectors, why F.A.O. Schwarz editions are coveted even today, the role of the catalog, and all about Steiff's life-sized animals that are practically synonymous with the store. Because of street sounds and sirens, filming was occasionally put on hold until these noises passed. But for the most part, the hour long interview just flew by, and the interviewer did a masterful job at developing rapport and making his interviewees feel as comfortable - and sound as articulate - as possible! And, in case you were wondering, Steiffgal did indeed hold a special and meaningful Steiff animal in her arms during filming. So stay tuned about that!

Once the interviews were completed, the crew again rearranged the house for shooting "B" roll. These are shots or images that are used in the film between segments or as transitional visuals. It took at least another hour to set up the cameras and lights for this. The camera was positioned on a multi-wheeled dolly and could be fluidly and evenly moved to film panoramic images of the collection. The team was interested in capturing the size, scale, and variety of the studio pieces, as well as the beauty and range of Steiff animals that appeared on the shelves of F.A.O. Schwarz over the years. Steiffgal was delighted that Jocko chimps of all sizes and shapes, as well as a number of other collector's favorites, were prominently featured in the "B" roll shots. Here on the left you can see cinematographer Chris Ewers preparing a few familiar Steiff faces for filming.

The crew's final shooting location was the second floor of the house, including Steiffgal's study and her stairway landing, where a few cases of Steiff are on display. Many of the items from these areas have provenance to F.A.O Schwarz so it was important that these treasures were included in the filming. All of the movie making apparatus used for the "B" roll was brought into these small spaces and there was hardly any room to stand! But the crew did a masterful job in working around the limited footprint and truly brought the collection to life under their magic touch.

The full day of shooting wrapped up around 7pm. Everyone felt great about the quality and quantity of footage generated. The team quickly packed, bundled, and cased up all of their filmmaking tools and loaded up their vehicles. They also helped to reconfigure the house back to its original condition. Hugs and high fives were exchanged. Once the team left Steiffgal's home, there was no physical trace of the extraordinary things that had occurred in the space that day. But you can best believe that the wonderful memories of this once-in-a-lifetime experience will last forever!

Steiffgal's hopes that you enjoyed this sneak peak into some of the preparations going into the relaunch of the world's most favorite and beloved toy store in November, 2018. Steiffgal extends a huge thank you to the Ewers Brothers team for a job well done, and cannot recommend them highly enough for their professionalism, insight, humor, and just plain wonderfulness! Director Erik Ewers (here on the left, under the supervision of a Steiff Moorland sheep) and crew have recently completed a documentary on the Mayo Clinic, airing on PBS. You can read more about that by clicking here. For more information on F.A.O. Schwarz, please follow all the happenings and excitement at www.faoschwarz.com. Once this movie has been completed and launched, Steiffgal will share the link and post a copy here on the blog.

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

This Rare Steiff 50th Anniversary Booklet Is Worth Its Weight In Gold!

It's easy to celebrate all things Steiff! Steiff introduced the world to its fully jointed Teddy bears in 1903. In honor of the golden anniversary of this accomplishment in 1953, the company designed and produced an entirely new and novel Teddy bear design. It was named Jackie and she was made in 17, 25, 35, and 75 cm from 1953-55 only.

Collectors could bearly get enough of Jackie. For many reasons - including her charming appeal, airbrushed belly button, pink-highlighted nose, and short time in the line - Jackie remains one of the most beloved Steiff bear designs of all times. Accompanying Jackie was a small celebration booklet, which told the history of the company in words and pictures. To find a mid century Jackie bear in very good condition with IDs is a dream come true for many collectors; to find one with this original booklet is practically unheard of!

But sometimes wishes do come true, at least in part. Steiffgal recently had the pleasure of finding one of these original Jackie booklets for sale, and was delighted to add it to her Steiff ephemera collection. The piece itself is very small - measuring 10.5 cm x 7.5 cm closed, or 10.5 cm x 15 cm opened up.  There are 14 total printed pages, and all words are in German. The booklet is bound by one staple. It is printed on paper which has most likely mellowed to a tan color over time. Let's take a peek into this time capsule and see what secrets it might hold about the company we all know and love. 

You can click on any of the pictures of the spreads to make them bigger on your screen!

Here is the front and back spread of the booklet. As you can see, the cover features the delightful Jackie bear, complete with her special anniversary chest tag. It is interesting to note that she is pictured without her Steiff button or ear tag. The front reads, "a small teddy travels in the wide world," probably in reference to Steiff's humble beginnings which progressed to international standing and recognition. The back very roughly translates to, "This is the story of the Teddy bear with the button in ear by Margarete Steiff GmbH."

Featured on pages 2 and 3 of the booklet are two iconic Steiff images.  The first is of company founder, Margarete Steiff.  The other is of the two very distinctive church steeples which are the prominent features on the Giengen horizon - even today. The headline of the spread reads, "The history of the Teddy bear." 

Pages 4 and 5 are graced with the headlines, "At the beginning was a small felt elephant" and "Richard Steiff, the inventor of the teddy bear." The illustrations include a small grey felt elephant, which was Margarete's first "toy," a picture of her in her wheelchair hand sewing something, and a handsome headshot of Richard Steiff. Richard, Margarete's nephew, came up with the idea of the fully jointed Teddy bear after studying how real bears move and interact at a local zoo.  

The next pages - 6 and 7 - are dedicated to 1903, the year Steiff Teddy bears really went global. The headlines roughly translate to, "In New York from 1903 onward" and "The Leipzig Fair debut in 1903." The page is illustrated with a skyline of New York City, an early and very fuzzy Steiff Teddy, and a man hammering shut a wooden crate, presumably filled with Steiff Teddy bears heading to the USA. This page most likely references how 3,000 early Steiff bears were ordered by an American distributor (The George Borgfeld Company of NYC) at the 1903 Leipzig Fair. The whereabouts of those Teds have been lost to time. This mystery is still ongoing today.  

Pages 8 and 9 are all words. Given the headline, which translates to "Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt gave him his name," these key passages probably explain why Steiff's Teddy bears from Germany were branded after the famous American President. Roosevelt refused to shoot a baby bear cub on on a hunting adventure in Mississippi at the turn of last century.

Next up on pages 10 and 11 are a charming series of illustrations featuring Steiff's "Nimrod" bears. Like Jackie, the Nimrod bears were produced in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Teddy bear. They appeared in the line in 1953 and 1954 in 22 and 50 cm. Four versions were made in a variety of hunting themed outfits. These "outdoorsmen" bears are a gentle nod back to President Roosevelt - who was instrumental in his own way in helping Steiff grow and thrive in the early 1900's. 

The headline on page 11 translates to "The Steiff factory is built entirely of glass" and is referencing the illustration that is found on page 12.

And here on page 12 you can see this glass factory. This feat of architecture is sometimes referred to the "1903 Building" because that's when it was built, or the "Maiden's Aquarium," because you could see from the outside of the building all of the beautiful seamstresses working inside. The headlines roughly translate to, "Steiff animals, the beloved toys of all children," "Only the best for our children," and "Steiff button in ear - adorable playmates." These statements, now over half a century old, still ring completely true today.

The final spread of the booklet, which includes pages 14 and 15, present a playful quartet of photos featuring company's now most iconic designs of the early 1950's. Most of these charmers were completely new post-war introductions. The items pictured are:

• A standing duck, made in 11 and 18 cm from 1952-76. 
• A grey elephant, made in 7, 10, 17, 22, and 35 cm from 1950-78.
• A Niki rabbit, made in 14, 17, 22, 28, and 35 cm from 1951-64.
• A Zotty Teddy, made in 9 sizes ranging from 17 to 100 cm from 1951-78.
• A young lying lion, produced in 17, 28, 43, and 60 cm from 1953-59.
• A Mecki hedgehog doll, produced from 1951 onward in 17, 28, 50, and 100 cm over time.
• A Papa lion, made in 14 and 22 cm from 1949-61.
• A Jocko, made in 9 sizes ranging from 10 to 80 cm from 1949-81.
• A Disney Bambi, made in 14 and 22 cm from 1951-1972.
• A Pucki dwarf, made in 13, 18, 30, 55, and 115 cm from 1963-73. 
• A Peky dog, made 8, 10, 14, and 22 cm from 1952-77.

Steiffgal hopes you enjoyed this quick time-travel adventure back to 1953!

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