Hi Earl,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

Beanie Babies were enormously popular in the 1990s and widely collected, with the consequence that now there are many "on the market" without nearly enough demand for the supply so values on most individual beanie babies are low. Additionally, the Beanie Baby market is often subject to overvaluation and there are myths surrounding Beanie Baby values, both for ones with - and without - tag errors. Websites like eBay and Etsy - which are unregulated - are rampant with fraudulent sellers posting Beanie Babies at exorbitantly high prices and then the BBs either don't sell or sell privately at undisclosed prices. (For an article that goes into detail about this, see: https://www.vice.com/en/article/epnwmn/investigating-the-fake-ebay-market-for-dollar25000-beanie-babies).

Sammy is a tie-dyed bear Beanie Baby released by Ty Inc. in 1998. This collectible plush features a unique multicolored pattern, with each bear displaying a distinct combination of hues. Sammy has black button eyes and a black nose. The poem on his swing tag, reads:
"As Sammy steps up to the plate / The crowd gets excited, can hardly wait / We know Sammy won't let us down / He makes us the happiest fans in town!"
This bear is notable for its unique tie-dye pattern, meaning no two bears are exactly alike. It features a small embroidered peace symbol on its chest and has black button eyes and a nose. Recent examples of this Beanie Baby that have sold at auction have brought prices ranging from $15-25

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

A near vintage Ty "Sammy" Beanie Baby Bear
Handmade in China, circa 1998
The multicolor rainbow-hued bear bearing a heart-shaped ear tag and characteristic tush tag.
should be 9 inches long
CONDITION: This beanie baby bear appears to be in good condition.
PROVENANCE: Inherited
$15-25*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia