The History Involved With Antique Teddy Bears
Collectors have become quite enamored by antique teddy bears. It has been a popular toy for years, although it is not old compared to other toys. The soft, cuddly toy brings comfort to all who love them. Children are often given one when they encounter the police for some catastrophic event, or when hospitalized either as an emergency or for a long-term illness or severe injury.
The history of this toy is pretty interesting. President Teddy Roosevelt was disappointed that he was not able to kill a bear on a hunt. His friends tried to get him to shoot a cub, but he refused. A couple of friends who were Brooklyn store owners designed a stuffed doll and called it Teddy's Bear in honor of him. It became an immediate success.
Another type of toy bear was developed in Germany about the same time. It was developed by A German named Steiff. These looked very different from the American version, but were quite popular. They are popular as collector items as well. Many different companies took up the making of these toys to try and capture a part of this lucrative market.
Cheap stuffed toys from Asian companies took over the market, almost making the bear extinct. Its popularity waned a bit after WWII due to these cheaper toys. It seemed to be a thing of the past until late in 1969 when interest revived. In 1985 the first auction devoted to antique and vintage bears brought them to the forefront in attention.
Fake versions began to be developed in an attempt to get a part of this financial advantage without having to invest in the expense and trouble of the older versions. They had some qualities of the older ones, but not all of them. Collectors today need to be aware of the characteristics of the fakes so as to not get taken advantage of when they think they are buying an older model. Checking the traits can ensure getting an original.
The body and stuffing varied in the fakes in comparison to the original ones. Earlier versions were made of wool mohair. Just before WWII silk plush came into used. Cotton plush did not come into use until later, after the war. Synthetics were not introduced until much later, during the 1950's. Stuffing in earlier models was excelsior, a type of wood wool. Later, kapok was used. Those stuffed with kapok were still older, and were much lighter than those stuffed with excelsior. Foam was not used until much later.
Examining facial features will also help determine the older ones. Eyes were first made of boot buttons. Eyes made of glass began to be used around the 1920's. Plastic did not appear until the 1950's. Noses also indicate age. The earliest one were made of woven silk. Later, a variety of styles came into use, with each manufacturer having their own characteristic one.
The paws also help determine age. Early paws had pads made of felt or cotton. Even if the cotton pads would have worn out and been replaced, they still indicate age. After 1930, velvet material and a type of fake leather came into use for pads. The use of this type of pad indicates they are not antique teddy bears.
The history of this toy is pretty interesting. President Teddy Roosevelt was disappointed that he was not able to kill a bear on a hunt. His friends tried to get him to shoot a cub, but he refused. A couple of friends who were Brooklyn store owners designed a stuffed doll and called it Teddy's Bear in honor of him. It became an immediate success.
Another type of toy bear was developed in Germany about the same time. It was developed by A German named Steiff. These looked very different from the American version, but were quite popular. They are popular as collector items as well. Many different companies took up the making of these toys to try and capture a part of this lucrative market.
Cheap stuffed toys from Asian companies took over the market, almost making the bear extinct. Its popularity waned a bit after WWII due to these cheaper toys. It seemed to be a thing of the past until late in 1969 when interest revived. In 1985 the first auction devoted to antique and vintage bears brought them to the forefront in attention.
Fake versions began to be developed in an attempt to get a part of this financial advantage without having to invest in the expense and trouble of the older versions. They had some qualities of the older ones, but not all of them. Collectors today need to be aware of the characteristics of the fakes so as to not get taken advantage of when they think they are buying an older model. Checking the traits can ensure getting an original.
The body and stuffing varied in the fakes in comparison to the original ones. Earlier versions were made of wool mohair. Just before WWII silk plush came into used. Cotton plush did not come into use until later, after the war. Synthetics were not introduced until much later, during the 1950's. Stuffing in earlier models was excelsior, a type of wood wool. Later, kapok was used. Those stuffed with kapok were still older, and were much lighter than those stuffed with excelsior. Foam was not used until much later.
Examining facial features will also help determine the older ones. Eyes were first made of boot buttons. Eyes made of glass began to be used around the 1920's. Plastic did not appear until the 1950's. Noses also indicate age. The earliest one were made of woven silk. Later, a variety of styles came into use, with each manufacturer having their own characteristic one.
The paws also help determine age. Early paws had pads made of felt or cotton. Even if the cotton pads would have worn out and been replaced, they still indicate age. After 1930, velvet material and a type of fake leather came into use for pads. The use of this type of pad indicates they are not antique teddy bears.
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