Hi Elizabeth,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

Stuffed bear toys, popularly known as teddy bears, have been cherished symbols of comfort, childhood, and affection since their introduction in the early 1900s, inspired by an incident involving U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt. They became one of the world's most beloved toys, offering children emotional security while also reflecting changing fashions in design and manufacturing. Collectors prize antique and vintage bears from makers such as Steiff, Ideal, and Merrythought for their craftsmanship, rarity, and historical significance. Today, teddy bears remain enduring cultural icons, representing innocence, nostalgia, companionship, and the universal desire for comfort across generations.

This charming teddy bear has been well loved...so well loved that many of the characteristics that might identify the maker have been long since loved off but I can tell you that this was made between World War I and World War II. It's stuffed with excelsior, a natural wood-wool material made from thin, curled strands of wood that are shaved from logs. Over time, these wood fibers can dry out, solidify or produce a fine wood dust.

Given the very worn condition of this bear, it's sentimental value may be greater than it's market value (at auction, this would almost certainly not sell for as much as $50 and more likely quite a bit less than that).

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

A vintage Prewar cinnamon mohair articulated teddy bear
American or English, circa 1920s-30s
10 inches long
CONDITION: well worn
PROVENANCE: Inherited
$20-40*
*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