This Rare Midcentury Steiff Cat Is Certain To Tickle Your Whiskers!

Here's a sweet Steiff rarity that walked in - and quickly walked out - on little cat's feet! This early postwar kitten just appeared in the line for a handful of years in the early 1950s, and has seldom made an appearance on the secondary market or in images since then. Check out this fabulous feline and see what makes her so interesting from the design and product development perspectives. 

This leisurely lovely is simply cataloged as "Cat." She is lying, head jointed, and measures c. 27 cm wide and c. 14 cm tall. She is made from very long, soft mohair which has some grey airbrushed highlights to it in all the right cat places. She has red hand embroidered claws on each foot. Her face comes to life with pert felt lined ears, a shorter mohair muzzle area, green and black slit pupil eyes, a pink hand embroidered nose and mouth, and clear monofilament whiskers. She retains her now faded blue silken ribbon. Her squeaker works, sometimes. As for IDs, she has her script style Steiff button, traces of her yellow ear tag, and her US Zone tag. This rarity was made in this size only from 1952-1953, technically in 22 cm. She has a lovely, old fashioned look to her. 

According to the Sortiment books, her article number is 2322,1. This translates to: 2=lying, 3=mohair, 22=22 cm, and ,1=squeaker... so everything aligns here!

A picture is worth a thousand words, and here is one of the very few photos Steiffgal could find in regards to this cat. Here on the left, you can see page 5 from Steiff's "Neuheiten 52" or "New Hits for 1952" catalog. Please click on the photo to make it bigger. Cat is pictured among Steiff's now legacy early wool plush Snobby poodles, a 17 cm wool plush camel, and a pair of Gussy cats. As the title of the catalog suggests, all of these specific items "debuted" in 1952. It is interesting to note that several of these newbies are made in wool plush, a substitute material mostly used just before and just after World War II. It is possible that in 1952, both the mohair supply and the ability to manufacture this premier toy making fabric were still not back to full capacity. Perhaps Steiff did what they have always done best in adverse situations - make lemonade out of lemons. In this case, they produced a number of wool plush items that really "popped" in this distinctive, readily available fabric. 

Now back to this pretty kitty. Why did she disappear in just a two year timeframe? It is interesting to note that in 1955, Steiff introduced their beloved lying "Fiffy" cat. This little love would go on to be produced in 12, 17, and 25 cm though 1962. Fiffy was head jointed and made from white mohair that was hand-airbrushed with black stripes. Like the cat under discussion here today, her little tail wrapped around her rear, and she came to life with green and black slit pupil eyes, a pink embroidered nose, mouth, claws, and clear monofilament whiskers. It is Steiffgal's best guess that Fiffy became Steiff's midcentury lying cat of choice based on a few factors. It is possible that Fiffy was faster and easier to manufacture, required less expensive materials, and had a more "updated," modern aesthetic than did the company's 1952-1953 lying cat. 

Steiffgal hopes this story about this rare mid-century cat really tickled your whiskers. 

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

Stumbling Across A Fantastic Steiff Feline

Steiffgal's not lyin'... this story is gonna knock you right off of your feet!  Check out this note from a reader who just stumbled across the most adorable and extremely rare lying Steiff cat - for free!  Alicia writes:

"Hello!
Thanks in advance for any help or more information with this cat.  I came upon her at a garage sale today. It was actually in a FREE box. I didn't even know about Steiff but grabbed the old stuffed animals in there - well, because they looked old! It wasn't until I got home and tried to make out the metal piece on her ear that I realized I had an old Steiff cat. Yay!  I've done quite a bit of searching and can't find one just like her so I'm asking you if you could give me any more information.
 

She looks like she's laying down. Tan or blond in color. I think mohair. Looks lightly striped. The eyes are green - and maybe glass? You can see stitching in the seams. Her nose and mouth are pink thread. A little red dot marks the mouth. The inside of the ears are not felt - they are the same as the rest of the body. The arms and legs do not move - the head rotates 360 degrees. She is 9.5" long NOT including the tail. The Steiff pin is a dark silver color and the last F loops down and goes until under the E. No other tags.
Thanks much!!
Alicia"

This pretty kitty (and her story) are gonna have everyone talking for sure! Steiff named her simply Katze or Cat. She is is made of tan mohair, is head jointed, and is in a lying or crouching position. She is airbrushed with light brown stripes, making her one terrific Tabby. Her tail is quite long and thin and is positioned straight outward. Cat's youthful face comes to life with oversized green and black slit pupil eyes and a pink hand-embroidered nose. When she was new, she left the factory with a pastel colored silk ribbon and little metal bell.  Steiff produced this design in white, and white and brown, in 13 and 15 cm from 1927 through 1928 only. Having seen the 13 cm version in real life, it is Steiffgal's guess that this is the 15 cm.  Given her very limited time in production, this pattern is seldom seen on the secondary market and is usually of great interest to collectors.  

This precious pattern was also made as a "couch animal cat" - meaning the kitten was mounted on an oval felt mat which was trimmed in a ribbon ruffle - in 10 and 12 cm from 1928 through 1930.   

In addition to its rarity, there are several factors that really add to the appeal of Alicia's lucky find. First, her cat was designed and produced in the mid to late 1920's.  This period is emerging as a new favorite for collectors, and is famous for its playful, wide-eyed, innocent, and whimsical looking patterns - think Molly the Puppy, Teddy Clown, and Bully the Bulldog, for example.  Secondly, its general lying position design is based on some of the company's late 19th century legacy cat designs, which usually had a woolen ball between their two front paws.  You can see an example of this above on the left. And thirdly, Alicia's kitten has a truly distinctive front and back leg construction.  These bent limbs are graceful, angular, and have lifelike proportions.  Such attention to detail is not seen often on earlier cat models.  

Now for the question that often turns Steiffgal into a real-life Grumpy Cat.  So what's the value of this lying kitten? As always, something is worth what someone will pay for it, and Steiffgal has not see the item firsthand to check for any structural or aesthetic issues that do not appear easily in photos - like a smoky smell, dry mohair, insect damage, or other problems.  Clearly, someone could argue that this cat is worth nothing, as that's what Alicia paid for it!  But, assuming that it is indeed as lovely as the photos suggest, it is possible that it could sell at auction in the $800 to $1,200 range.  A slightly smaller version of a similar lying Steiff cat from the same time period realized $1,185 at a James D. Julia Antique Advertising, Toy, and Doll Auction in 2014.

Steiffgal hopes this discussion on this great found lying Steiff kitten was the cat's meow for you.

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

Fawning Over This Lovely Vintage Reclining Steiff Deer

Every Steiff enthusiast has a few extra special items in their collection that are truly deer - ahem, dear... to their heart.  Those treasures that seem to truly capture the essence of the Steiff brand, its breathtaking designs, and impeccable quality.  Steiffgal recently welcomed such a piece to her hug, and in all honesty, cannot stop fawning over it.  Take a look at this vintage Steiff forest friend and see what makes her so unique from the product design and construction perspectives.

Steiffgal's not lying when she says this reclining deer is one special collectible.  This sweet fawn is lying, unjointed, and made from light brown mohair.  Her little legs are bent and folded over in such a way to appear like she is relaxing peacefully, as she would in a forest in nature.  She has a tiny,  bump-out style tail. Her precious face is detailed with a black hand embroidered nose which is highlighted with a tan stitch; black button eyes; a spot of red to indicate her lips; and large, pert, all mohair ears that have a distinctively triangular shape to them.  The mohair on her facial area is slightly shorter than on her body and limbs.  She retains her long trailing"f" style Steiff button and traces of a yellow ear tag. Fawn was made in 14 cm only from 1934 through 1943.  

From a design and construction perspective, this fabulous fawn has two really special features of note.  

The first of course is her remarkable front leg shape, design, and assembly.  Her two front limbs literally fold over and tuck underneath her.  So of course the question comes up - how did Steiff create this effect?  It would seem almost impossible to cut, sew, and stuff such a small area given its location and scale to the rest of the item.  So what's the secret?  Steiff created this effect by putting a piece of bendable metal wire in the front legs during her manufacturer.  The legs were assembled straight out, but then bent gently into place during finishing.  You can see her underside construction here on the left - don't worry, she's just posing for the camera here!

Steiffgal's not going out on a limb to say that this front leg construction is quite unusual.  As a matter of fact, the only other item that comes immediately to mind as also having this wired front leg detail is Steiff's pre-war lying sheep.  This sweetie was produced in 14 cm only in lamb's wool plush from 1937 through 1939 - the same size and production era as the deer under discussion in this post.  This sheep is pictured here on the left. 

The second is a bit more subtle but no less interesting in terms of ingenuity.  One cannot help but notice the elegant and lifelike lines of the lying fawn, especially around her back hip area.  It turns out that on both sides of her hips, she has an unusual "swoosh" shaped insert into her mohair.  These are in perfect symmetry on her body. These inserts have the effect of adding texture and a rounded differentiation to this area of her body, as well as physically bumping out her hips in a most authentic way.  The swoosh is almost "patched" into this area and it is mind-boggling to figure out from a manufacturing perspective how this was done!  But, thankfully the skilled Steiff seamstresses knew the secret, and we can all love and appreciate their handiwork today.  One of the fawn's swoosh inserts is pictured here on the left.  

Steiffgal hopes this discussion on Steiff's truly wonderful and tranquil lying fawn has added a little rest and relaxation to your day.

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

No Lying, Here Are Some Perfect Steiff Pint-Sized Easter Treats

What's the most important treat the Easter bunny can deliver... candy or a Steiff treasure?  Well, Steiffgal would be fibbing if she said she didn't really love sweets, almost as much as Steiff!  And both are essential in the perfect Easter basket.  Here are three tiny vintage "lying style" treats that are perfect for a Steiff lover's Easter basket... that also leave plenty of space for chocolate bunnies, jelly beans, and other seasonal goodies. 

Wouldn't ewe just love to curl up with this first featured friend?  Here we have a very sweet example of Steiff's relatively hard to find lying Lamm or lamb. This little handful is all of 10 cm, curled up, unjointed, and made from white wool plush. She has green and black glass slit pupil eyes and a simple hand embroidered nose and mouth. When she left the factory in Germany, she was detailed with a baby blue silk ribbon and a brass bell.  This pattern was made in 10 and 14 cm from 1954 through 1955 and then again in 1966 through 1972 in 25 cm.  It is interesting to note that on this particular example, her chest tag has the name "Lamby" on it, although she appears in the reference books simply as Lamb.

Our next barnyard basket buddy just may get your goat - with his cuteness, that is!  Here we have Steiff's Ziege or goat.  He is 10 cm, lying, and made from tan mohair that has been nicely highlighted with darker tan airbrushing on his body, legs, and face.  Goat's ears and the underside of his tail are made from peach colored felt.  His face is detailed with green and black slit pupil eyes, a black hand embroidered nose and mouth, and just a touch of red around his lips.  Goat retains his original colorful bear faced chest tag, salmon colored silk ribbon, and bitty brass bell.  This design was made in 10 and 14 cm from 1954 through 1956 only, and is considered relatively rare.  Like his sister Lamb discussed above, it is interesting to note that on this particular example, goat's chest tag has the name "Zicky" on it, although he appears in the reference books simply as Ziege.

Of course, rabbits are the perfect Easter accessory, so this last selection should put everyone "at ease."  Here we have Steiff’s 6 cm Lieg Hase, or Lying Rabbit. And by “lying,” Steiffgal means “outstretched,” not “dishonest.” This rabbit is reclining and made from mohair. She is head jointed and has quite a prominent “tail end.” Her ears are lined in pink velvet and she has a pink, hand-embroidered nose; black lips, and clear monofilament whiskers. Probably her most eye-catching feature is her outstanding black and white google-style peepers! This basking bunny was made in 6, 9, and 12 cm from 1953 through 1970.

Steiffgal hopes this discussion on little lying Steiff Easter-themed treasures has been a breath of spring air for you.

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