Steiff, Schuco, Hermann - German Stuffed Animal Collectibles

Hi Everyone

German companies have been producing mohair and plush soft toy or stuffed animal collectibles for over 100 years!  Steiff is famous for having produced the first "real" TEDDY BEAR back in 1903!  Bears were featured by Steiff prior to that date, but were on all fours or rigidly upright like bears in the wild.  Soon, all makers jumped on the Teddy Bear bandwagon but these companies also produced many soft toy animals.  

Steiff

Steiff has produced just about every animal, reptile and insect on earth!  The earliest animals were felt toys in the late 1800's.  Look for their iconic "Button in Ear", a trademark patented in 1904.  A small nickel or brass button attached to the animal's ear, along with a tag.  The style of the button and the tags changed over the years, which helps pinpoint the era of the animal.  Accompanying the ear button and tag, was a chest tag, also changing styles over the years. 

Nagy Beaver

Not all animals have retained their button or tag.  Concerned parents may have removed it for the safety of their children.  It then becomes a little more challenging to identify the animal as a Steiff and the era of production.

Running Tiger

Mopsy Dog

Schuco

Schuco began in 1912 as Schreyer and Co.  The "Schuco" trademark, an abbreviation of the company's name, was registered in 1921.  Sadly, the company was sold in the 1970's.  Schuco produced soft dolls as well as Teddy Bears and animals.  Innovative "flexible" limbs, rather than jointed, for posing possibilities!

Hegi Bigo Belo Doll

Schuco produced Talking Bears!  With a "magic pull string" the bears came in several different languages!  Schuco used a seam tag on their animals along with a variety of different swing (hang) tags or labels.

Parlo Teddy Bear

Hermann Teddy Original

Starting out in the early 20th Century in East Germany, then called Bernhard Hermann and Sons, Hermann moved to West Germany after WW11 and the "Herman Teddy Original" logo was born.  The logo is still used today, though they became a Limited Company in 1991 and they officially became Teddy-Hermann GmbH.  Many different styles of swing (hang) tags were used over the years along with seam tags.

Running Rabbit

SALE!!!!!!!!

Currently, Mandicrafts is running a RARE sale on all these collectible names and many more!  Save 10% for a VERY short time only!  Sale ends at noon Wednesday June 23, 2010, eastern standard time.  Check HERE to see what is available!

Soon I will be winging my way south, to sunny Florida, for Treasure Hunting and some beach time!  During my absence there will be NO SHIPPING.  All purchases made with payments processed by Wednesday June 23, 2010 will be shipped on Thursday June 24.  After this date, the next shipping day will be Monday July 5, 2010.  

I hope to bring you all MANY exciting new Fabulous Finds from the sunshine state!  Stay tuned!

Bear Hugs

Mandy