What A Pretty And Petite Steiff Prewar Pup!

Good things come in small packages. Especially when those things are button-in-ear. Check out this absolutely darling, pint-sized pup Steiffgal just recently added to her collection. He is a little known example from a long legacy of Steiff's prewar Fox Terrier production. Blink and you would have missed him!

What we have here is a seldom seen version of Steiff's late 1920s era Foxy Fox Terrier. He is 10 cm tall, sitting, head jointed, and made from white mohair. He has very distinctive jet black mohair ears. His face comes to life with proportional brown and black glass pupil eyes, a black hand embroidered nose and mouth, and black airbrushing around one eye. He also has traces of black airbrushed highlights around the base of his tail. He wears his original silken ribbon and jingle bell. He retains his prewar styled, red imprinted named chest tag as his Steiff ID. This darling doggie was produced in 10, 14, 17, and 22 cm from 1929-1933 overall. He is pictured here on the left, and a close up of his named chest tag is below. 

Fox Terriers are one of Steiff's earliest dog breeds. They made their debut 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, a broad range of mohair Fox Terriers graced the pages of the Steiff catalog. 

The late 1920s could be thought of as a "best of show" period for Steiff's Fox Terriers. In 1928 and 1929, the company designed and manufactured two brand new mohair examples that were simply irresistible. All had two solid black mohair ears; rounded, puppy like body proportions; and impish personalities. The first of course, was the one under discussion today. He was also produced standing in 10, 14, 17, 20, and 22 cm through 1933. Another "Foxy" pattern had darling and distinctive airbrushed lines on his forehead and a pert, red, round felt tongue. It appeared in the line from 1928 through 1933 overall in two versions: standing in 14, 17, 22, and 28 cm and sitting in 14, 17, and 22 cm. Both the sitting and standing versions are pictured above; all images are from Pfeiffer's 1892-1943 Sortiment. 

Steiffgal hopes you found this discussion on this little sitting Fox Terrier has been dog-gone delightful for you. 

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!

Digging For Details On This Divine Doggy Discovery

And what do we have here? It seems like some of the best vintage Steiff surprises turn up when you least expect them! Such is the case of a new friend from the U.K. who writes about a recent doggy discovery. James shares:

"Hello, I found today in my elderly father's house a toy dog on wheels which I think may have belonged to his mother. I found your site and blog really useful in learning more about it. It has a rusty Steiff button in its left ear with a long trailing F. 

It also has a medallion on a collar. I haven't seen a collar in any of the photos of other Steiff dogs I've found so far on the internet, so I wonder whether it might have been added, and so is not original. I would be interested in what you think about the medallion and if you are able to tell me anything more about the dog."

This cute canine is the wheel deal indeed. Although it's hard to tell from the photos, it is Steiffgal's best guess that given his form and presentation that this is Steiff's early Fox Terrier on wheels. You can see this item pictured here on the left, the photo is from Pfeiffer's 1892-1943 Sortiment book. He is standing, unjointed, and made from white velvet. His material has been precisely painted brown on his ears and around his eyes. Steiffgal suspects he might have had a few other brown spots here and there that faded over time - most notably right on his back. His face comes to life with a somewhat upturned, pointed snout, black shoe button eyes, and a hand embroidered nose and mouth. He glides along on four metal wheels which are connected by metal axles. As noted, he retains his button in ear as his Steiff ID. 

Velvet Fox Terrier on wheels appeared in 14 and 17 cm (measured vertically, top of head to toe, not including wheels) from 1902 to 1917 overall. Given this early timeline, it would align that this toy belonged to someone born right at the beginning of the 1900s.

Now let's complete the circle here and talk about the dog's collar. Yes, Steiff did put fancy neckwear on many of its fine products during the first quarter of the 20th century. Large, colorful silk ribbons started appearing on mohair Teddy bears and other pets around 1925. But as early as the turn of last century, it was not uncommon for the company to decorate primarily velvet or felt dogs, cats, and some animals on skittles with fitted ribbons or collars detailed with bells, simple disks, or more elaborate medallions. Perhaps the "most famous" medallion bearing example was the company's Caesar, the King's Dog - who had his very own custom medallion based on the one worn by his namesake. From what Steiffgal can unearth, most Steiff "hardware" was attached to an animal's collar via rings or elegantly secured though a system of a disk and bead on smaller items. You can see the ribbon, bell, bead, and disk detailed "necklace" of a c. 1902 felt cat skittle cat below. 

So what's going on with this velvet dog's collar and medallion? In this case, Steiffgal suspects that the medallion here MAY be original to the dog, but probably was reconnected to the collar given its "home repair" presentation.

Steiffgal hopes this discussion on this velvet Fox Terrier on wheels has answered James' questions about him, in a round-about sort of way.

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

On The Up and Up With This Darling Steiff Strupp

Just try and outfox this Steiff question. Name one of Steiff's most prolific dog breeds. For sure, the company's beloved Dachshunds, Bulldogs, and Boxers come to mind. Also less top of mind to some, but certainly ranking, would be the company's Fox Terriers. Fox Terriers have been around almost as long as the Steiff catalog, which debuted in 1892. Let's take a look at a most unusual pre-war example and see what makes him so interesting from the design and product development perspectives.

Pull up a seat and check out this sitting Strupp dog. He is 17 cm tall, made from white mohair, and is head jointed. He has a few black hand airbrushed spots on his body and back. Strupp has black hand embroidered claws on each of his paws. His earnest face comes to life with oversized black and brown glass pupil eyes, a black hand embroidered nose and mouth, and prominent, jet-black mohair ears. Sitting Strupp was produced in 17, 22, 28, 35, and 43 cm from 1928 through 1932 overall. It is interesting to note that this model of Strupp was only produced sitting; Steiff often produced their dogs and cats from his era in a number of body positions.

Steiff also manufactured a number of Fox Terriers named Strupp in the 1928 through 1934 time frame. However, they looked really different than the sitting Strupp under discussion here. The standing Strupps of the period had black mohair patches on their bodies, a black ear and a white ear, and tawny airbrushing on their faces. The company also made a grey and white sitting tail turns head Fox Terrier named Strupp, but he really presents much more like the company's traditional Fox Terrier design with a prominent, very long mohair muzzle. You can see this grey and white Strupp pictured here on the left; the photo is from Pfeiffer's 1892-1943 Sortiment. So it is Steiffgal's best guess that Strupp might have been a popular name for Fox Terriers at the time, and that is why Steiff called all these different Fox Terrier designs "Strupp."

Now let's paws and consider this Strupp's place on the product development timeline. The first Fox Terrier appeared in the Steiff line in 1899. It was on wheels and made from felt. Since then, Steiff has produced close to 40 different Fox Terrier models pre-WWll and over 20 designs from the late 1940’s onward. As part of the company's strategy to reflect the culture of the "roaring 20s," Steiff updated or launched many new pets that featured distinctly childlike, playful, and innocent personalities. They also started giving their dogs and cats sweet, endearing names - like Molly, Bully, Fluffy, and Foxy; previous to that, most were simply noted as their biological breed. Fox Terriers were a big part of this strategy, with other models including "Ajax," Spotty," and "Foxy." A lovely, rare pre-war wool plush lying Fox Terrier is pictured above; it is from our dear friend and fellow Steiff enthusiast Daniel Agnew. 

And just what makes a Fox Terrier, well, a Fox Terrier? As his name suggests, this dog was bred to assist in fox hunting. Besides breed size and appearance standards, they have to be able to perform three key hunting tasks. First, they have to have the endurance to keep up with foxhounds, who lead the hunt. Second, they have to be small enough follow foxes down into their holes during the chase. And third, they have to be feisty when they do indeed encounter a cornered fox.

Steiffgal hopes you've enjoyed this discussion on Steiff's very rare Strupp pup!

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

For He's A Jolly Good Steiff Fellow!

It's time to break out in a chorus of "for he's a jolly good Fellow!" And why is this? To celebrate a rare and wonderful vintage Steiff dog! Check out this terrific Terrier.  His name is Fellow, and he is from one of the most interesting periods in Steiff's product design and development era - the very late 1940's and early 1950's. Steiffgal is certain you too will find him smooth as silk!  

This mellow Fellow measures 20 cm high and 23 cm wide. He is standing, unjointed, and made from short brown artificial silk plush, which has been hand airbrushed with black highlights. His tail is made from short black artificial silk plush, while his distinctive forehead and sideburns are well represented by longer brown artificial silk plush. He has three black claws on each paw. His face comes to life with brown and black glass pupil eyes and a black hand embroidered nose and mouth. He wears an artificial brown leather collar and retains his early, red imprinted chest tag and short trailing "f" Steiff button. Fellow was produced in 22 and 28 cm from 1948 through 1949 only.
 

Collectible Airedale Terriers have been a breath of fresh air in the Steiff line since the late 1920's. The first version to roll on the scene was simply called "Airedale Terrier." This standing, unjointed model was on regular or eccentric wheels and produced in six sizes ranging from 17 to 35 inches from 1927 through 1930. From 1933 through 1936, the line featured "Jack," a standing wool plush Airedale Terrier produced in five sizes ranging from 17 to 43 cm. Then, in 1935, Steiff introduced a new Airedale Terrier pattern called "Fellow." Fellow was made from mohair and produced with or without wheels. The wheeled versions came in five sizes ranging from 22 to 50 cm while the simply standing models were made in four sizes ranging from 17 to 35 cm. Both versions were featured through 1943.
 

Fellow was one of the first patterns reintroduced once the factory reopened for toy making business post war in about 1948. In addition to the artificial silk plush model under discussion here, he was also made in mohair in 22 and 28 cm in 1949, and as a mohair ride on animal in 43 and 50 cm from 1949 through 1950. Then, in 1950, Steiff updated its traditional Airedale Terrier pattern and renamed it "Terry." In addition to Terry, Steiff launched many new smaller dog and cat models in the early to mid-1950's as part of their global growth strategy of the era. Terry was made from mohair, standing, and unjointed. He was produced overall in six sizes ranging from 8 to 35 cm from 1950 though 1961; he was also made as a ride on toy in four sizes ranging from 28 to 50 cm from 1950 through 1961. All featured the breed's charming "folded over" style ears in mohair, with the smallest versions having felt ears - as pictured above on the left.
 
Steiffgal hopes this discussion on Steiff's transitional Fellow Airedale Terrier has provided an enjoyable change of pace to your day.
 
Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more. 

Things Are On The Move At The Upcoming Teddy Dorado Auction!

Things certainly are on the move in the auction world!  And that can only mean good things for Steiff collectors and enthusiasts all from all corners of the Earth!  On Saturday, March 22, 2014, Steiffgal's dear friends at Teddy Dorado are hosting a fantastic auction event in Germany featuring over 300 lots of older, modern, and replica Steiff collectibles - certainly something for everyone!  In order to spring readers to action over this auction, Teddy Dorado was kind enough to send us VIDEOS of some of the finest vintage items in the sale.  So let's take a look at these "moving pictures" and see what makes these highlights so interesting from the collector and historical perspectives - and don't forget to click on the big arrow on the pictures above each description to start the show!



You know spring is truly in the air when you can hear the birds singing their happy warmer weather song!  Here we have a truly fantastic example of Steiff's "Chirp Couple."  This really marvelous item consists of two Steiff woolen miniature birds on a green "seesaw" type of movable platform.  The platform measures about 9 cm tall and 11 cm long.   When the platform is moved up and down, the birds appear to sing and bow to each other.   The bird with the blue head is Steiff's standard line Blue Tit (made in 4 and 8 cm from 1934 through 1943); the bird with the red head is Steiff's Finch (made in 4 and 8 cm from 1933 through 1943).  Both birds are 8 cm and are head jointed.  They are made from Nomotta wool and have brown metal legs and felt beaks and tail feathers.  Remarkably, each retains their crisp and fully legible red ear tag and Steiff button, which are worn like an anklet on each bird. 

This extraordinary item was in the Steiff line overall from 1932 thorough 1943; given the type of birds on the platform and the red ear tags, it is most probable that this specific example was made in 1934.  For more information on the Chirp Couple, click here.



It's time now to move on to another very springlike Teddy Dorado auction highlight - one that really enjoys just swaying in the breeze!  Here we have an amazingly rare Steiff lamb hanging pram toy.  The lamb itself standing, unjointed and is about 8.5 cm tall and 9 cm long.  His face, ears and legs are made from felt.  His legs are lined in wires for strength and poseability.  His sweet and tiny face is detailed with black button eyes and a simple pink hand embroidered nose and mouth.  He wears a tiny ribbon and bell.  Lamb is suspended from an elastic cord which is decorated with woolen pom-poms and finished with an ivory ring for hanging.  And no need to count sheep over this one - lamb is a rattle and also retains his button as his Steiff ID! 

This woolie and wonderful pram toy was in the line from 1902 through 1917.  It is estimated that this piece was produced in the 1905 through 1909 time frame - although he looks like he's game for at least another century of fun and play!  In addition to this design, Steiff also made a few other lamb pram toys; these included one with just a lamb's head suspended from an elastic cord decorated with pom-poms (produced from 1904 through 1912) and a more elaborate one of a full lamb reclining on a felt covered ring suspended from ribbons (produced from 1916 through 1918.)  Like the lamb pram toy featured in the Teddy Dorado auction, each of these two other pram toys were finished with an ivory ring for hanging.  For more information on the lamb pram toy, click here.



So lets take a paws - however briefly - to check out this final moving marvel from the upcoming auction.  Could this just be the perfect pooch?  Here we have a stellar example of Steiff's Rattler Terrier with a tail moves head mechanism.  In terms of size, he measures about 19.5 cm tall (without his ears)  or 17.5 cm long (without his tail.) Rattler is sitting, head jointed, and firmly stuffed with excelsior.  He is made from mohair with grey highlights.  His charming and authentic beard and eyelashes are made from longer mohair with a tan/orange cast to it.  His face is detailed with lovely almond shaped tri-colored glass eyes and a black hand embroidered nose and mouth.  His belly squeaker and his tail moves head mechanism are in fine and working order - this is most unusual for an item over 75 years old!  Remarkably, Rattler retains his underscored button in ear, crisp and fully legible yellow ear tag (with a very cool H for "head mechanism" stamped on it), movement instruction tag on his tail, and large, colorful named chest tag as his Steiff IDs.  

There's no need to give anyone a heads up that Rattler might win best of show at the upcoming Teddy Dorado event.  Overall, this blue-ribbon beauty was produced in 8, 10, 14, 17, 22, 25, 28, and 35 cm in the 1930 through 1943 time period.  Steiff produced a number of "tail moves head" items in the early 1930's, including other dogs, rabbits, and cats.  These items were produced as higher end "luxury" pieces; their internal mechanisms were designed to create a natural type of movement within the animal.  For more information on this Rattler, please click here.

Steiffgal hopes this video preview of Teddy Dorado auction highlights has been more fun than a Saturday movie matinee!  For more information on Teddy Dorado and their upcoming events and offerings, please click here!

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