Can Steiff's Jocko Chimps of Yesteryear Speak French?

Given how adorable and appealing Steiff's dolls, bears, and animals are, it is no surprise that antique advertising featuring these photogenic superstars can be as collectible as the items themselves. Early Steiff catalogs, mailers, and advertisements give unique insights into the design and marketing priorities of the company over time. They can also provide interesting metrics like prices, weights, and minimum orders, and even company or distributors' names, addresses, and contact information.

Check out this amazing piece of ephemera featuring Steiff's legacy Jocko chimpanzees. There is much to learn from this simple 3" x 5" card. This all original example was produced around 1912 for Steiff's business partner in Paris. The front of this double sided, cardboard card shows a full color image of six Jockos playing in a miniature bedroom. The space is furnished with three wooden chairs and a bed. There is also a framed and matted picture on the wall. Three Jockos don turn of last century style dresses detailed with pleated fronts and decorative embroidery. Two others wear blue playsuits with white trim. And one is just simply in his birthday suit. The Jocko on the far right seems upset, and her friend just to her left appears worried about that. Steiff always had a great way of capturing these emotional subtleties in their early images. You can also see Steiff branding on the top left side of the image. The vignette is simply irresistible.

The back of this time capsule is equally as interesting, but for different reasons. It has a simply rendered map of turn of last century Paris, with a red square indicating the location of the Steiff distributorship at 23 Rue des Petites-Hotels. The words on the card summarize as: "Fabric Toy Factory, Margarete Steiff, located at 23 Rue des Petits Hotels in Paris with the head office in Giengen on the Brenz River in Germany. Offering toys and animals, dolls, kites, and pincushions made from felt, plush, velvet, etc. Winner of the grand prize at the World's fairs in Saint Louis in 1904 and Brussels in 1910."

The actual intended purpose of this card is not clear. It doesn't have a space for an address or stamp, so it could not be mailed like a postcard as we know them today. And it is a little large for a standard business card. It might have been put in an envelope as a mailer, or it could have been handed out at a trade show or exhibition as a mini brochure. The map on the back suggests that the location may have been hard to find, and/or that the location encouraged visitors.

A simple google search finds that today, 23 Rue des Petites-Hotels in Paris is occupied in part by the Al Dente Agency. According to their website, Al Dente describes itself as: “We are an integrated creative agency based in Paris and Rome, believing in the cultural aura of luxury brands.” Perhaps its principals could feel the Steiff love - and aura - when they considered this location for their business in the City of Lights? Above you can see what the street looks like today from the on-the-ground perspective; the image is from Wikipedia.org.

Steiffgal hopes this discussion on this Jocko card has given you a little insight into the company's turn of last century monkey business.

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

This Antique Image Featuring Steiff's Record Peter Is Pretty As A Picture

This reader's question is the real-wheel-deal indeed! And just goes to show you how far back, and how deeply, some of Steiff's legacy patterns resonate with people all around the world. Zuzana from Slovakia writes,

"Good evening,

I have a very special question for you and would be really grateful if you can help me. I am a restoration and conservation student from Academy of Fine Art and Design in Bratislava, Slovakia. I am working on this gelatine photograph of two girls with a goat in the middle. One of the girls has a pull toy monkey and I am guessing it's a Steiff toy. I was just curious, if you maybe will have any kind of information about this specific toy. This photo is the only I have and no more information was attached. Maybe you as a professional will see something I cannot.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you and thank you so so much.

Have a nice day and Greetings from Slovakia, Zuzana."

This delightful inquiry falls beautifully at the intersection of antique ephemera and Steiff history. It is always fascinating to see Steiff items appearing in photographs of yesterday - or even last century. What you see here in the photo from Zuzana is definitely one of Steiff's most beloved and signature items - a chimpanzee on a four wheeled cart, or what is traditionally called a "Record Peter." Here on the left you can see a very early Steiff print advertisement for this very product, the image is from D. Ayers and D. Harrison's, Advertising Art of Steiff, Teddy Bears and Playthings.

Let's focus on the history and details of this marvelous monkey. Steiff's Record Peter is unquestionably the most well-known novelty based on the company's legacy Jocko the Chimp pattern. This plaything consists of a Jocko riding upon a metal chassis hand cart which glides along on four wooden wheels - usually painted red. When Record Peter is pulled, his arms and legs swing back and forth in synchrony, giving the appearance that he’s working hard to keep his vehicle in motion. Record Peter made his debut in 1912 in 25 cm. As such, this photo was taken in 1912 at the earliest. Here on the left you can see a lovely legacy and most likely mid-century Steiff Record Peter with his original box, the image is from Invaluable.com.

The Record Peter design was an immediate sensation upon its introduction. Steiff's 1912 catalog described him as: “Record Peter, in silky brown mohair plush, seated on a self-drive chassis with sturdy wooden wheels and automatic sound box. Virtually unbreakable mechanism. Simply has to be pulled along by attached cord.” This novelty also came in a number of cataloged and colorful forms and size variations through the early 1940s. These included examples ranging from 10 to 30 cm, as well as rarities made in red, blue, yellow, white, green, red, and black mohair. Each of these colorful characters was decorated with a festive neck ruff. Given his longevity in the line, he also appeared once in a blue moon in some unconventional and/or not cataloged fabrics, including artificial silk plush and cotton plush. These "non-mohair" fabrics usually suggest that the item was made just before, during, or after one of the world wars. You can see two prewar variations on Steiff's Record Peter design below; the one on the left is made from all felt and wears a matching fez and the one of the right is made from cinnamon colored mohair. The image is from the author's collection. 

Due to his popularity, it is no surprise that Record Peter was one of the first items Steiff manufactured when the factory reopened for toy making business post WWII. A 25 cm version was produced in brown silk plush in 1949, then in brown mohair through 1970. Even though he has not "officially" appeared full time in the line for nearly half a century, he remains one of the most cherished and timeless Steiff designs amongst collectors today.

Steiffgal hopes this discussion on this fabulous photo (and its contents) has been a picture perfect experience for you.

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

Barking Up The Right Tree With This Petite And Princely Steiff Pinscher

And they call it puppy love! And for good reason. This sweet sitting pup recently joined Steiffgal's hug. He came in a giant box lot. But as all collectors know... sometimes these types of purchases contain unexpected treasures like this.

Sit and stay and check out this sweet pup. He is a sweet example of Steiff's Pinscher dog. He is 17 cm tall, sitting, and unjointed. He is made from long tan mohair that was tipped in brown when he was new. You can see this tipping in his armpits, folds, and other places where the sun does not shine! Pinscher has black hand embroidered claws on his front and back paws. His face is detailed with charming proportional brown and black glass pupil eyes, a black hand stitched nose and mouth, a spot of red on his lips, and a center-seamed muzzle. His pert triangular mohair ears are lined in tan felt, and as is customary to the breed, he has a proportionally very small tail. He has a nonworking squeaker in his belly. 

Like most of Steiff's creations, this Pinscher is lovingly and authentically rendered. He in a very appealing and authentic sitting position; his back legs are angled and bent in the way a real puppy sits - especially when they are trying coax you into giving them a snack! This guy retains his long trailing "f" Steiff button and bits of his red tag as his Steiff IDs. This tipped mohair Steiff Pinscher pattern was produced in 17, 22, 28, 35, 43, and 50 cm from 1914 though 1931 overall.

Pinschers are few and far between in the Steiff line. Over time, three versions were produced prewar. As far as Steiffgal can tell, there has not been one in the line after the early 1940s. It is interesting to note that Steiff's debut Pinscher was produced at the same time as the company's rod jointed bears. Like the rod jointed bears, this guy was also fully rod jointed, had black wooden shoebutton eyes, and a handmade black gutta percha nose. He appeared in 35 cm from 1903 through 1906. He had a distinctly Teddy bear look to him but his limbs were more slender and he did not have felt paw pads. You can see a picture of him here on the left; the image is from Pfeiffer's 1892-1943 Sortiment.

After an eight year hiatus, Pinschers again graced the Steiff catalog. The Pinscher under discussion here today followed the rod jointed version. Steiff's final Pinscher was similar to the tipped version, but made in long grey brown mohair in 17, 22, and 28 cm from 1935-1942. 

Pinschers are a distinctly German breed, so it should be no surprise that Steiff chose to produce a few for their line. These dogs originated in southern Germany (also where the Steiff company is located.) They were first officially recognized in 1885 and accepted into the American Kennel Club in 2003. German Pinschers were one of the foundation breeds in the origins of the Doberman Pinscher and the Miniature Pinscher as we know them today. German Pinschers were almost lost to time both post WWI and WWII. According to the AKC, there were no litters registered in West Germany from 1949 to 1958. Due to the heroic efforts of one man, the breed was rescued via intensive breeding and conservation efforts.

Steiffgal hopes this discussion on this petite Pinscher has brought a little more happiness to your day.

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

Thinking Outside The Box With This Delightful Steiff Moving Display

Would you climb every mountain for a wonderful Steiff rarity? How about an actual Steiff hillside scene with moving parts? Check out this note from a new friend in Europe who has inherited such a crated treasure in working order. Just what do we have here? Jeanette shares:

Hello! I have inherited this Steiff display, but do not know anything about it, except for what Google tells me, and that is how I found your website. The display has been standing in a shop window for many years and works fine mechanically. All the figures have a Steiff mark on the chest. The hedgehogs all stand up and are about 27cm tall, have mohair, velvet, soft arms that can move and a plastic face. Dark blue eyes. There are hedgehogs, dogs, cows, monkeys, mice, mountain goats and a mountain ram. It is a mechanical setup and everything mechanical moves fine. Without music. A serial number is noted on a hedgehog: 7627/28. Do you know if it could be worth anything?

Kind regards, Jeanette from Denmark

There's so much to unpack here, so let's get started. Jeanette has an example of one of Steiff's legacy mechanized displays. It features a pastoral scene consisting of a simple wooden building with a mountain scape in the background. It is populated by a family of Micki and Mecki hedgehog dolls, as well as farm, forest, and mountain animals. The animals on display all appeared in the line from the late 1960s onward; the Mecki noted, with article number 7627/28 was produced from 1968-1990. Steiffgal suspects that this display was assembled in 1969 (give or take a year or two) given the "date" on the sign on the shelter. This sign also notes "Mecki Alm." The word "alm" is very interesting and does not really have an equivalent in English. It refers to a simple hut as well as the broad swath of meadows, forests, and hills surrounding it. That perfectly describes what's going on here. 

Steiff has a rich history of creating these can't-look-away moving displays. They debuted around 1910 as a natural extension of the company's advertising and promotional efforts. Over time, they have been produced in sizes ranging from less than a meter to almost the length of a city block. These vignettes were often reflective of life in a small town, farming, nature, a circus, or sports. Today, Steiff's moving displays are created, serviced, and maintained in what the company calls its Exhibition Department. Because they are made in Giengen and installed all over the world, how they are designed, assembled, and disassembled for transport are almost as critical as their presentations and themes.

Given some online research, it appears that Steiff produced a number of examples of Jeanette's alm display. These have appeared at public auction over the years. On December 11, 2016, Morphy Auctions of Denver, PA sold an almost identical version of this display. It was estimated at $500-1,000 and traded hands at $3,125, including the buyer's premium. It was cataloged as: 

"This automaton measures approximately 41” x 28” x 48” overall and features 15 Steiff animals at a mountainside farm. The automaton base is made from wood and includes faux cliffs, rocks, plants, and a farmhouse. The animals include monkeys, rams, marmots, goats, woolen miniature birds, cows, and a three member dressed hedgehog family. This display was purchased directly from Margarete Steiff GmbH at New York’s annual ToyFair trade show in the 1980’s. It was on display once or twice a year at Steiff collector events, usually for 3 days at a time, over a 25-year period. When not on display, it was stored in its individual wood shipping crate (included) in a controlled warehouse. This display is in working order with Steiff factory installed 110v US plugs. Condition: As noted. In clean, very good condition overall. Provenance: From a fine Ohio collection."

Now let's get to Jeanette's question about value. As always, something is worth what someone will pay for it, and Steiffgal has not seen this item firsthand to account for condition. Other more recent sales of this item include a similar version sold in December, 2022 by Hindman of Chicago. Estimated at $1,000-1,500, it realized $2,064, including the buyer's premium. So the selling price has gone down a little in the past few years, at least based on information available. Given these metrics, it is not out of the question that this item under review her might realize in the c. $2,000-2,500 at auction today. 

Steiffgal hopes this discussion on Jeanette's alm display has been a breath of fresh air for you today.

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