Antique Teddy Bears
Whether you are buying to refurbish or looking for something in great preserved condition to add to your collection, antique teddy bears are some of the most characterful and endearing collectible items in the marketplace. What could be better than finding a bear that has been well loved, has a bit of history and has accrued both sentimental and monetary value? You can shop by period or brand, so there are easy ways to find what you are looking for.
Shop by Decade
The listings start on the 1900s and progress in decades to the 1950s. The style of each era shines through in the bears you will find on offer. In the 1900s, teddy bears were typically made of materials such as Mohair or velvet, and stuffed with straw or sawdust. This was still the case in the 1920s but the design was changing; some character bears such as Felix the Cat and Sooty started to appear, reflecting the increasing popularity of children's comic strips and wheels were added to some bears to create push along toys for toddlers.
Jump forward another 10 years and you start to see the addition of some animals other than the traditional bears, dogs, rabbits, pandas etc. and synthetic materials start to be introduced. Even in the 1950s traditional seated bears remained prevalent but there is more variance in both design and material.
Shop by Brand
The brands listed are Chiltern, Steiff, Merrythought and Wendy Boston, all recognised teddy bear manufacturers that have survived the decades. Chiltern bears pre-1940 were made of mohair, with wood wool stuffing and velveteen pads. Post-1940, the factory changed hands, the bears were now stuffed with cotton sub and many had a music box inside, but for some reason, sadder faces than their earlier counterparts. Steiff is perhaps one of the best-known teddy bear manufacturers, famous in particular for their range of incredibly detailed miniatures. All ranges offer something unique, so unless your collection is brand specific, a quick browse through each will provide a broad choice.
