A Gentle Guide for Anyone with a Childhood Friend in the Cupboard
Every so often, someone brings a teddy bear into the shop and asks the same hopeful question:
“Do you think this old fellow is worth anything?”
And every time, I smile — because teddy bears live in that special place where nostalgia and collectability quietly shake hands.
Some are valuable. Some are simply well-loved. And some, beautifully, are both.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your childhood companion is secretly a little treasure, here are seven ways to tell.
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1. The Maker Matters (A Lot)
Just like collectors search for certain potteries or mid-century glassmakers, teddy bear enthusiasts have their own “holy grails.”
Sitting right at the top is Steiff — the Rolls-Royce of teddy bears — widely recognised as the most valuable and collectible maker in the world.
But Steiff isn’t the only name that makes a collector’s heart beat faster.
Here are the most desirable teddy bear brands across history:
Top-Tier Collectible Bear Makers
1. Steiff (Germany)
• Founded in 1880, creator of the world’s first factory-made teddy bear
• Home of legendary bears like “Teddy Girl” and the “Louis Vuitton” bear
• The gold standard for antique, vintage, and modern collectible bears
The Famous Louis Vuitton Steiff Bear
One of the most talked-about luxury teddy bears in the world is the Louis Vuitton Steiff bear, created in 2000 as a limited collaboration of around 50 pieces. Dressed in custom LV monogrammed clothing and accompanied by its own matching miniature luggage, this bear sold at auction for US$182,550, which equates to roughly $280,000 AUD. Its value comes from extreme rarity, high-end craftsmanship, and the prestige of both Steiff and Louis Vuitton — making it one of the most expensive teddy bears ever produced.
2. Charlie Bears (UK)
• Expressive faces and limited editions
• Strong secondary-market demand
3. Ganz (Canada)
• Known for themed and limited-edition plush
• Highly collected in modern markets
4. Merrythought (England)
• Established in 1930
• Beloved for handmade craftsmanship; early bears are very prized
5. Teddy-Hermann (Germany)
• Long history of producing durable, classic designs
• A favourite among families and collectors alike
Modern Teddy-Hermann teddy bears
Other Highly Collectible Vintage Makers
• Bing (Germany)
• Schuco (Germany — renowned for mechanical bears)
• Chad Valley (England)
• Dean’s (England)
• Berlex (Australia)
• Joys Toys (Australia)
A bear of unknown origin can still be adorable —
but in the collector world, “unknown” nearly always means lower value.
And remember: even Steiff made plenty of modern replicas designed to mimic early designs. They’re lovely… but they aren’t antique.
2. Labels, Buttons, Swing Tags — If You’ve Still Got One, You’re Winning
Manufacturers typically marked their bears with:
• a button in the ear
• a cloth label
• a metal tag
• or a little paper swing tag
Of course, children being children, these things often disappeared within days of Christmas morning.
But if your bear still has an original maker’s mark, that’s its passport —
proof of identity, authenticity, and value.
Even the remnant of a Steiff ear button can increase the price dramatically.
3. Condition Counts (But Wear Isn’t Always Bad)
A bear that’s been loved almost threadbare often shows it:
• worn mohair
• thinning patches
• a softened snout
• missing or replaced pads
• a nose that’s been kissed right off
Collectors expect this — and many find it charming.
However, bears with their original eyes, pads, stitching, and nose embroidery will almost always bring higher prices.
If something has been repaired, the very best restorations copy the maker’s original stitch style so the bear keeps its character.
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4. Some Bears Were Rare From the Start
Prototypes, sample bears, and tiny production runs are the unicorns of the bear world.
One wonderful example is the “Peter” bear created in 1925 by Gebrüder Süssenguth — complete with carved white teeth and a tongue.
He was withdrawn for being “too scary for children.”
Collectors adore him now.
A Gebrüder Süssenguth “Peter” bear in its original box sold at auction in 2024 for £860.
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5. Colour Can Change Everything
Most early bears came in sensible shades of gold, blonde, or brown.
But unusual colours — chocolate, cinnamon, apricot, jet black — now command much stronger prices.
In 1912, Steiff produced 494 black bears to raise funds for Titanic survivors.
One of these sold in 2004 for £8,962.50 (about $18,130 AUD).
This remarkable example above, sold at auction in July 2023 for over USD $250,000 (around AUD $385,000), making headlines worldwide. These bears aren’t just collectible — they are history.
Steiff released anniversary replicas in 2012 that sell for around $550 AUD — a lovely collector’s piece, but not to be confused with the originals.
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6. Real Teddy Bear Examples (and What They Actually Sold For)
Over my morning cup of tea (with one very nosy shop cat), I looked up recent actual eBay sales — because sold prices matter far more than what people are asking.
🧸 Early Steiff Bear — c.1910
Sold for approx. £1,495 (about $3,020 AUD)
• golden mohair (around 85% remaining)
• elongated jointed limbs
• original glass eyes
• replaced pads, repaired muzzle
• Steiff ear button
Even with repairs, age + rarity + the button = strong value.
🐐 Steiff Goat / Sheep — Vintage
Sold for approx. £45 (about $90 AUD)
• 5.5 inches
• painted-back glass eyes
• no button
• original horns & detailing
Smaller Steiff animals sit in the lower price range, but are still wonderfully collectible.
🧸 “Teddy 1926” — Modern Steiff Reproduction
Sold for approx. £75 (about $150 AUD)
• mohair
• modern yellow tag & button
• intentionally aged design
Charming — but not antique.
A Quick Word of Advice
If you’re buying (or selling) a true antique Steiff, Merrythought, or Chad Valley bear, try to stick with:
✔ reputable dealers - shops or auction houses
✔ sellers who offer provenance
✔ or the original family
A genuine antique teddy has unmistakable clues — mohair texture, pad material, joint shape, button style, thread colour — and you deserve to know exactly what you’re holding.
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7. The Story Makes the Bear
One of my favourite bear stories isn’t about price at all.
In 1996, Uri Geller paid £11,500 (about $23,260 AUD) for a 1920s bear once used for bayonet practice by soldiers in Vienna.
It was rescued by a Russian officer, gifted to a toddler named Gerhild Radakovic, and cherished for half a century before being sold to raise money for a Bosnian orphanage.
Proof that a teddy’s worth is often emotional first, monetary second.
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So… What’s Your Bear Worth?
If you’ve got a bear tucked away in a cupboard — worn nose, missing bow, a bit of love in every stitch — don’t rush to judge it.
Look for:
• a maker’s tag
• original eyes or pads
• early mohair
• unusual colouring
• overall condition
• and above all… its story
Sometimes the greatest treasures begin with a hug.
🍂💛
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A Little Something at the Shop…
While I don’t have any antique teddy bears at Kitten Vintage this week (they disappear the moment they wander in), I do have something just as enchanting:
A beautiful Steiff Jocko chimpanzee and child.
Steiff didn’t only make bears — they created a whole menagerie.
Their chimps are particularly beloved: expressive faces, defined hands and feet, soft mohair, and that unmistakable Steiff posture.
Right now, these two are sitting patiently on the green barber’s chair, holding hands, waiting to greet anyone who needs a smile.
(And yes — they’re on the website 💛)
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A Tiny Bit of Cinema History
While researching this article, I fell down a delightful rabbit hole…
The first moving picture to feature teddy bears was produced by the Thomas A. Edison Company in 1907.
It’s a retelling of Goldilocks, complete with a stop-motion parade of teddy bears marching across the screen before performing a gymnastic routine.
Slightly spooky.
Not really suitable for today’s children.
But absolutely wonderful for teddy bear historians
Here’s a small snippet..
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Whether your bear is worth $20 or $2,000, one thing remains true:
A teddy bear’s real value is measured not in dollars, but in comfort, memory, companionship — and the soft warmth of a much-loved friend who has sat quietly through your whole life.
If you ever want help identifying a bear, just bring your old friend into the shop.
We’ll give him a gentle seat, a warm light, and all the time he needs to tell his story.
🍂💛 See you soon
Deb at Kitten Vintage