Collectible Teddy Bears - How to Determine if your Find is Antique or Vintage

Collectible Teddy Bears Tutorial - How to Spot Antique and Vintage (Valuable) Stuffed Bears

Do you want to collect and/or resell Antique or Vintage Teddy Bears? It can be a lucrative pastime, therefore there are fakes out there, and many reproductions so spotting a genuine Antique or Vintage Teddy Bear at Secondhand shops, Flea Markets, or Garage Sales can be tricky.

A c1950's Chiltern UK "Hugmee" Teddy, mohair plush fur, glass eyes, rexine paw pads, L shaped ears caught in facial seams, four stitched claws on pads, thinning fur around nose and on chest area, stuffed with excelsior, and shield shaped nose.

Some key things to look for:

•Smell – Bear may retain a “dusty” attic-like odour

•Colour – Fur colour may be stronger in between joints where it is less exposed to air and light

•Stuffing – Wood wool/excelsior? Kapok? Foam rubber chips?  Modern fibers?

•Material – Mohair?  Art silk (Artificial Silk)? Dralon? Woven Fur? Modern synthetic plush?

•Eyes – Boot Button? Glass? Plastic?

•Wear – Thinning fur in some areas? Worn paw pads? Paw pad material?

A Jackas Toys, Australia musical wind-up Koala Bear, synthetic plush, plastic eyes, nose and claws.

How to determine what the bear is made of:

•Mohair

–Usually soft & silky to the touch; leaves an ash residue if a few strands are burned (NOT while still on the bear!!)

–Very fine strands.  A flea comb can pass through pile

–Fabric backing

•Wool Plush

–Curly dense plush.  A flea comb cannot pass through; leaves an ash residue if a few strands are burned (again NOT while still on the bear!)

–A little rough, wooly to the touch; smells like a wet sheep if damp

•Art Silk

–Soft, almost greasy feel, usually a shiny sheen

--Leaves “dust” when brushed or combed

•Dralon

–Usually short, dense plush; can feel pebbled/matted; not particularly soft; leaves a melted plastic residue if a few strands are burned (NOT while still on the bear)

–Flea comb will not pass through strands

•Woven Fur

–Soft and furry rather than silky; leaves melted plastic residue if a few strands are burned (NOT while on the bear)

–Backing fabric not readily visible

•Cotton Plush

–Low cost alternative to mohair, made entirely of cotton

–Rougher feel than mohair

Modern Collectible by Hermann Spielwaren Germany whose vintage bears are sought after AND the company is still in production today!  This is a Limited Edition #123 of only 349 produced. President Barack Obama Teddy Bear, honouring the 44th President in 2009.  Made from mohair plush, with all labels, hang tags, and seam tags as well as specially embroidered foot pads showing LE number and a portrayal of the White House.

Condition issues to be aware of with Antique and Vintage Teddy Bears and some "fixes":

 •Extensive Balding/Missing Mohair Fur

–Shows mohair exposure to sunlight & may mean backing fabric has rotted: WORST ISSUE! There is NO repair for rotted base fabric

•Small Holes

–Indication of insect infestation.  Seal bear in ziplock bag and place in the freezer for a couple of days. This destroys critters. DO NOT LEAVE IN FREEZER LONGER because moisture can build which rots natural stuffing fibres.

•Smells

–Place in sealed ziplock bag with whole cloves (the spice) or lavender for a few days

•Damage

–Missing eyes, joint wear, stuffing spilling out, tears & splits, popped seams, obvious repairs – all can be fixed so if price is right BUY IT

Steiff Germany Mohair Plush Lulac Rabbit, jointed, glass eyes, felt foot pads, c1950's to 1960's.

Remember, Antique and Vintage Teddy Bears CANNOT BE LAUNDERED, because excelsior and other natural stuffing materials should NEVER get wet for risk of rotting inside the bear! You also do not want to lose any eyes, or damage any stitched noses either! Surface cleaning is preferred and I detail how to do this on a previous blog post!

Enjoy your hunt for Old Teddies!

Some items shown above can be found at Mandicrafts!

Bear Hugs

Mandy

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