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Teddy Bears

Collecting Stuffed Animals

Teddy bears date back to a 1902 political cartoon depicting an incident where President Theodore Roosevelt refused to shot a black bear that had been clubbed and tied to a tree.

Morris Michtom saw the cartoon and was inspired to create a toy based on the drawing of the bear cub. He put his stuffed bear in his shop window, titling it, "Teddy's Bear." The bears were an immediate success in the United States.

At about the same time, Steiff of Germany began to make stuffed bears, which made their appearance in the US in 1903.

The picture on the right is of a classic Steiff bear.

Subsequently other manufacturers got into the business as the bears became even more popular.

Toys or Collectibles?

Actually Teddy Bears are both.

Classic bears are much sought after. Early Steiff bears can go for close to $100,000. The record so far for a Teddy Bear is $190,000.

As with most collectibles you can buy price guides or look up values on the Internet.

Here is an excellent Steiff guide - Collector Steiff Values.

There are many more Teddy Bear manufacturers than Steiff and most of them have their own catalogs and price guides - Teddy Bear Guides.

Teddy Bears that are made as toys have to meet certain safety standards to prevent injuries to their young users.

On the other hand, Teddy Bears made by craftsmen to be collectibles often carry warnings to the effect that they are not toys and are not meant to be used by children.

These craftsmen have taken the art of making Teddy Bears to a new level. You can even design and buy your own custom Teddy Bear dressed in the outfit of your choice - for example as a football player.

All in all, Teddy Bears make great collectibles. If you are buying new bears, you will find yourself able to create a great collection without spending a lot of money.

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