Bringing History To Life With These Amazing Gifts From Richard Steiff Himself!

Are you ready for something SUPER STEIFF exciting? Of course you are! Check out this email from Merleen, who writes from Michigan about two precious family treasures with amazing ties to one of Steiffgal's heroes, Richard Steiff. She shares...

"Greetings! My mother Elizabeth Newhouse Jones, who is 92 years old, received 2 Steiff animals when she was a child from one of the Steiff brothers. My mother said the name of the gentleman who gave the toys to her was Richard Steiff and he was the nephew of the woman who founded the company. My mom's father was a pharmacist and Mr. Steiff came into his drug store in Jackson, Michigan back in the 1930s and gave my mother a cow and a fox hand puppet. The name of the pharmacy was the Flat Iron Drug Store." 

Here on the left you can see a photo of Liz holding these incredible treasures today.

Talk about bringing history to life! Richard Steiff lived in Jackson, Michigan at 610 Harwood Avenue from at least the mid-1920s until he passed away in 1939. Awhile back, Steiffgal visited this home. According to Merleen, her grandfather's drug store was a short walking distance from Harwood Avenue. So it makes perfect sense that Richard may have frequented the pharmacy for medication and other home health needs during this timeframe. 

Now let's take a look at the two items that Richard gifted Merleen's mom. The first is actually an ox, not a cow, at least according to Pfeiffer's 1892-1943 Sortiment reference book. The ox is standing, unjointed, and made from lovely white and copper colored mohair with patched construction. His head and face are detailed with black button eyes and velvet horns. This design was produced in 17, 22, and 28 cm from 1929-1943 overall. From the photos, it appears that Merleen's ox has a red ear tag, suggesting it was produced in the c. 1929-1934 time frame - aligning perfectly time wise with her mom's recollections. 

The second item is a field and forest favorite. It is Steiff's beloved "Punch Fox" or fox hand puppet. He is 17 cm tall and made from copper and white mohair. He is unjointed and his head, and the tips of his paws, are solidly stuffed with excelsior. When he was new, he would have had a cardboard finger tube in his head. His ears are lined in black mohair, and his face comes to life with black and brown glass pupil eyes and a black hand embroidered nose and mouth. He would have had black hand embroidered claws, but it's hard to tell from the photos if those have been lost to time or not. This mohair puppet was produced from 1913-1927 overall. He is based on the company's legacy full bodied, fully jointed fox who appeared in the line from 1909-1933 overall in 14, 17, 22, 35, and 43 cm.

It is so exciting to learn of these treasures and their direct connection to Richard Steiff. What is also quite interesting is the nature of these items, particularly the puppet. Richard was a real advocate of hands on, kinetic, interactive play - which is one of the reasons he invented the jointed Teddy bear as we know him today. He also really loved puppets and the role they could play in creativity and storytelling - given how they could be used so interactively and with movement. It is possible he wanted to personally and directly share that belief with Merleen's mom with this puppet gift. In a hand written letter dated December 22, 1926, Richard writes from Jackson to a toy industry colleague here in America about the company's chimp puppet, or Hand Monkey:

“I demonstrated the Hand Monkey for a few days in Jury Rowe’s store. It was very interesting and convinced me that we have a good business to come.... Only one out of a couple hundred persons has ever seen a Hand Monkey! I would not believe this to anyone but I experienced it. Already in Atlantic City I gave Mr. Schaufelberger the idea how to build a simple demonstrating machine for Hand Monkeys.” 

Steiffgal hopes you enjoyed learning about this Steiff ox and fox puppet duo with profound and perfect provenance!

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

The Cattle Battle Is On With Steiff's Fantastic Vintage Oxen

Ok, it's time to get to work! But don't worry, this task is a labor of love. Let's take a look at an interesting Steiff pattern that really pulls its weight when it comes to its interesting design and history. Without further ado, please say hello to Steiff's Oxy Oxen!

The cattle-battle is on with this truly novel Steiff collectible. Oxy is standing and unjointed. His body is made mostly from tan mohair with great brown airbrush highlights and stripes on his back, legs, and face. His horns, very prominent nose, and dewlap are made from tan velvet. His face comes to life with pert mohair ears and black and white style google eyes. This pattern was made in 10, 14, and 22 cm from 1953-1957. The smallest version has a cord tail, the medium version has a velvet tail tipped in mohair, and the largest version has a mohair tail tipped in mohair. The largest version also has a long mohair forehead area. This Oxy pattern is quite endearing - and also quite interesting, given his mix of fabrics and whimsical presentation.

Oxen are traditional laboring animals, and are usually castrated adult male cattle. However, sometimes females and intact males are given jobs to do as well. Research suggests that oxen were first harnessed and put to work around 4000 BC. Oxen are a legacy pattern for Steiff. They first appeared in the line in 1897 made from spotted white felt and on wheels. The following year they debuted freestanding in 12, 14, 17, and 22 cm. By 1903 they were also being produced in velvet. Although Steiff started significantly integrating mohair materials into their product design and development around 1903, it was not until 1909 that the company produced their first mohair ox. This pattern was made from patched tan and reddish brown mohair and appeared on wheels; it was produced overall in 14, 17, 22, 28, 35, 43, 50, 60, and 80 cm through 1943. An example of Steiff's mohair ox on wheels from the 1920's is shown here on the left; it was sold in 2015 at James D. Julia for $830. Steiff's freestanding mohair ox appeared in 17, 22, and 28 cm from 1929 through 1943 overall.

But there's even more to this cattle call. You cannot help but notice that Steiff's postwar Oxy pattern has a number of design and material similarities with another, and even rarer, special edition. This is the company's Texas Longhorn, which was produced as an exclusive for the upscale US toy retailer F.A.O. Schwarz. This treasure, made in 1960 only, is considered by many enthusiasts to be one of the most collectible Steiff and F.A.O. Schwarz collaborations of all times.

Steiff's Texas Longhorns usually causes a stampede when one appears on the secondary market. This big boy is 25 cm, standing, unjointed, and made from mohair. His detailing is quite distinctive and includes a velvet dewlap extending from his neck to his lower chest, googly black-and-white eyes, and an open, peach felt lined mouth. Only a handful of Texas Longhorns were made. Some had prominent faux leather horns, while others had rubber horns. These rubber horns are similar to those seen on the company's Yuku Pronghorn Antelope, which appeared in the line 22 and 35 cm from 1962 to 1963.   

Steiffgal hopes this discussion on Steiff's Oxy has not been heavy lifting for you.

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

Things Are All Buttoned Up - Steiff Style - At Julia's Upcoming Antique Advertising, Toy, And Doll Auction

It's the most wonderful time of the year... to be a Steiff enthusiast!  Buying and selling opportunities really do heat up (no pun intended) as the calendar flips to June and July!  One auction many collectors truly look forward to is the June 19th Antique Advertising, Toy, and Doll event at James D. Julia Auctioneers in Fairfield, Maine.  This auction usually features some exceptional Steiff lots, and this year is no different.  Here are three lots from this sale that particularly caught Steiffgal's eye!

This first highlight is one great beast of burden!  Here we have lot 2085, a fantastic (and totally irresistible) Steiff riding oxen with IDs.  He is measures 13” h (33 cm) x 21” w (53 cm). He is standing, unjointed, and rides upon a metal riding carriage with a wooden steering handle. This barnyard buddy is made from short tan and coppery-orange mohair with longer tan mohair on his tail tip. His face comes to life with black button eyes and leather horns; he also has leather hooves.  He rides upon four red metal wheels and has his original red and white pull cord which is finished with a red wooden knob with a Steiff medallion.  He retains his  long trailing “f” style button and traces of his paper ear tag as his Steiff IDs. 

This model was produced in 9 sizes ranging from 14 to 80 cm from 1909 through 1943. Many people confuse this pattern with Steiff's cow on wheels, but his distinctive coloring, body shape, and horns define him as an ox in this cattle-battle. Despite its longevity in the line, these riding ox are seldom seen on the secondary market. This particular model has particularly vibrant coloring and a most appealing presentation. 

It's time to pony up to our second Julia's Steiff highlight.  Next we have lot 2087, a stately and elegant felt Steiff riding horse.  He measures 6-1/2″ h (42cm) x 18″ w (46cm). This pretty pony is standing, unjointed, and glides upon a metal riding carriage with four metal wheels.  Horse has a wooden steering handle.  He is made from brown and tan felt with a real horsehair tail and mane. You can't help but notice his face, which is detailed with brown and black glass pupil eyes. His lifelike hooves are painted black.  Horse is dressed to the nines with a velvet, fabric trimmed saddle cloth and leather fittings which appear original or at least period appropriate. This example retains its Steiff long trailing “f” style button and its original red and white pull cord. Like the ox mentioned previously, the pony's pull cord also has a red wooden knob finished with a Steiff logo'ed metal medallion.  

This model is an absolute legacy pattern for Steiff.  It was produced overall in 10 sizes ranging from 12 to 80 cm and is remarkable as it is one of only a handful that appeared continuously in the Steiff catalog from its debut in 1892 through the last days of the company’s toy production during WWII in the early 1940s. 

They say fine feathers make fine birds, and such is the case in this final Julia's Steiff highlight.  Here we have lot 2090, a lot of seven absolutely lovely post war mohair Steiff birds which range in size from 4″ h (10 cm) to 6-1/2″ h (17 cm) tall.  Consider feathering your nest with this group which includes a 17 cm mohair finch with felt wing and tail feathers, red painted metal feet, and all Steiff IDs; a 12 cm mohair tit with felt wing and tail feathers, red painted metal feet, and a Steiff button and chest tag; a 10 cm mohair tit with hair wing and tail feathers, brown metal feet, and all Steiff IDs; a 10 cm mohair tit with stenciled velvet wing and tail feathers, tan plastic feet, and a Steiff button and chest tag; a 10 cm mohair sparrow with stenciled velvet wing and tail feathers, tan plastic feet, and a Steiff button and chest tag; and a 10 cm mohair bullfinch with stenciled velvet wing and tail feathers, tan plastic feet, and a Steiff button and chest tag.  All of these sweet-tweet-treats have plastic beaks and present in the most charming way.  These birds of a feather were all produced in the 1955 to 1973 time frame. 

Bird's the word when it comes to Steiff for many collectors. The earliest Steiff birds with legs, such as storks, pigeons, hens, roosters, and ducks, had felt covered or cord wrapped metal feet and legs.  As time went on, many models were transitioned to all metal legs and feet.  In the 1960's and 1970's, a number of Steiff birds - including the company's beloved woolen miniature birds - strut their stuff on all plastic legs and feet. 

Steiffgal hopes this preview of some of the great Steiff auction highlights to be sold at James D. Julia's June, 2015 toy auction has been a best of show experience for you! The full catalog is now online and can be accessed by clicking here.