Mohair - jointed - back hump - about 11 inches - button eyes - stitched nose- protruding nose - felt paws
About 11 inches
Hi Diane,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
This does look like an early Steiff bear, with the placement of the paw pads and the shape/profile of its ears and muzzle. Not all Steiff bears have ear buttons - the early ones do not. It doesn't have a center seam, which usually indicates a pre-World War I teddy bear; based on all of these clues, including the lack of a growler, points to this probably dating to the 1920s or early 1930s and is possibly by Steiff.
These bears to come to auction from time to time; ones of this size usually sell for between $100-150.
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:
An antique blond mohair teddy bear
possibly made in Germany by Steiff, circa 1920s-30s
Covered all-over in blond mohair, with tan pads, black eyes and sewn nose and mouth, with hinged head and limbs, the body and legs stuffed with excelsior (shavings), the head and arms probably stuffed with cotton batting. Unlabeled.
11 inches tall
CONDITION: This charming bear shows evidence of nearly 100 years of love and affection, with some thinning to its fur
PROVENANCE: Inherited
$ 100-150*
*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
Hi,
I just remembered that the lady who gave it to me said the bear was from the Netherlands, don’t know if this adds any clues or not.
Diane,
Thank you so much - this is all very helpful. The Netherlands connection is a bit of a mystery as those local bear makers made very different looking bears. It's possible it was sold there but made elsewhere.
You're all set here but please let me know if you have questions, etc.
Have a great day,
Delia
HI Delia,
Ok, his body and legs are quite crunchy, his arms and head are not. There does not seem to be any mechanism in his tummy. I wish there was a tag or button, but nothing.