Collectors have latched onto collecting antique teddy bears. It is a tradition of years, but still new as toys go. This soft, cuddly toy brings comfort to many who truly love them. Policemen and nurses often hand them out to children who are ill or injured or have suffered some catastrophic event. They bring comfort to these children and make their experience a little easier.
This toy has a very exciting history. It is reported that President Teddy Roosevelt was responsible in part to its development. He had failed to get a specimen on a hunt, but refused to shoot a cub that was tethered to make it easy for him. The first one produced, by a couple of Brooklyn store owners, was a stuffed doll named "Teddy's Bear". It caught on and was an immediate success.
Another type of toy bear was developed in Germany about the same time. It was developed by A German named Steiff. These looked very different from the American version, but were quite popular. They are popular as collector items as well. Many different companies took up the making of these toys to try and capture a part of this lucrative market.
Asian companies began to develop cheap versions of stuffed animals and almost made the bear become extinct. After WWII, the popularity of these toys gave way to the popularity of the cheaper versions. It gradually became almost extinct, but was revived in 1969 when a book about them revived their popularity. The first auction of these antique and vintage bears was held in 1985 and cause a revival in their popularity.
Fake versions began to appear as many decided to try and capture part of the market, but without the expense and effort older ones used. They copied many traits, but not all. Modern collectors can determine fake from the original by close inspection of certain characteristics. Checking characteristics of the model they are considering against older model traits will help prevent their buying a fake instead of an original.
The materials of both the body and stuffing vary by age. The earliest ones were made of wool mohair. Before WWII silk plush was used as material for the body, but cotton plush was not introduced until after the war. Synthetics were not introduced until the 1950's. In the beginning they were stuffed with excelsior, or wood wool. These were heavier than those stuffed with kapok stuffing. Those stuffed with foam are quite new, not antique or vintage at all.
Age can also be determined by examining facial features. The earliest ones had boot buttons for eyes. Glass eyes came into use in the 1920's. Plastic eyes didn't appear until the 1950's. The toy's noses were first made of woven silk. Later models had a variety of styles, showing them as coming in later periods. Each manufacturer had its own distinct style.
Paws are another indicator of age. The earliest ones had pads made from felt or cotton. The cotton would have been worn out and probably replaced. Those models produced after the 1930's had velvet or fake leather pads on their paws. This marks them as not being one of the antique teddy bears.
This toy has a very exciting history. It is reported that President Teddy Roosevelt was responsible in part to its development. He had failed to get a specimen on a hunt, but refused to shoot a cub that was tethered to make it easy for him. The first one produced, by a couple of Brooklyn store owners, was a stuffed doll named "Teddy's Bear". It caught on and was an immediate success.
Another type of toy bear was developed in Germany about the same time. It was developed by A German named Steiff. These looked very different from the American version, but were quite popular. They are popular as collector items as well. Many different companies took up the making of these toys to try and capture a part of this lucrative market.
Asian companies began to develop cheap versions of stuffed animals and almost made the bear become extinct. After WWII, the popularity of these toys gave way to the popularity of the cheaper versions. It gradually became almost extinct, but was revived in 1969 when a book about them revived their popularity. The first auction of these antique and vintage bears was held in 1985 and cause a revival in their popularity.
Fake versions began to appear as many decided to try and capture part of the market, but without the expense and effort older ones used. They copied many traits, but not all. Modern collectors can determine fake from the original by close inspection of certain characteristics. Checking characteristics of the model they are considering against older model traits will help prevent their buying a fake instead of an original.
The materials of both the body and stuffing vary by age. The earliest ones were made of wool mohair. Before WWII silk plush was used as material for the body, but cotton plush was not introduced until after the war. Synthetics were not introduced until the 1950's. In the beginning they were stuffed with excelsior, or wood wool. These were heavier than those stuffed with kapok stuffing. Those stuffed with foam are quite new, not antique or vintage at all.
Age can also be determined by examining facial features. The earliest ones had boot buttons for eyes. Glass eyes came into use in the 1920's. Plastic eyes didn't appear until the 1950's. The toy's noses were first made of woven silk. Later models had a variety of styles, showing them as coming in later periods. Each manufacturer had its own distinct style.
Paws are another indicator of age. The earliest ones had pads made from felt or cotton. The cotton would have been worn out and probably replaced. Those models produced after the 1930's had velvet or fake leather pads on their paws. This marks them as not being one of the antique teddy bears.
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