A Collector' S Guide To The Care And Purchase Of Antique Teddy Bears
Everyone loves the timeless charm of a teddy bear. Some people enjoy collecting antique teddy bears and continually search for them online and at antique dealers and fairs. Before buying these cute toys, it pays to know how to recognize a genuine article and know how to give them the care they deserve.
The early teddies were designed to closely resemble real bears, so one can tell approximately how old they are by their general appearance and construction. They usually have a longer snout, large feet, wider hips, and longer, curvy limbs, they also may have a hump between their shoulders. Instead of plastic, eyes are most often made out of glass or boot buttons. The fur is usually made from mohair and stuffed with wood shavings, wool, or kapok, and the body may have a hand-stitched seam.
It's advisable to obtain a reference guide that highlights key features to note. Certain manufacturers and time periods have trademark characteristics which make it easy to identify their bears. These guides also give expected price ranges for specific toys, but sometimes these are on the high-end and it is still possible to purchase the same teddy for a lower price.
It is likely that a teddy may have been repaired at one time or another, but this need not devalue it. Restorations are a common practice of many dealers who wish to try to restore the toy's original appearance and make it more attractive to buyers.
Collectors will find a huge selection of teddies available on the internet. It's necessary to be aware that many "fake" antique bears are on the market and being passed off as genuine and priced as such. These imposters may resemble the true antiques in features, but are usually plush instead of mohair and come in more colors, often with fur made to look worn out on purpose.
Another type of bear to avoid are those which are new but made in an old-fashioned style, the manufacturers are not try to pass them off as anything else, however sometimes dishonest dealers may attempt to make them look as though they are antiques and price them accordingly. Some collectors advise checking for an "aged" smell, but this is not always useful as the dealer may have cleaned the toy removing any scent.
Careful handling is necessary for teddies. They should be picked up by their torsos instead of their limbs, in order to prevent joint damage. They need to be kept away from children and pets, and should have limited contact with skin as its natural oils can cause fur deterioration.
Since they are made from fabric, antique teddy bears may attract moths, but this problem can be curtailed by placing them in the freezer overnight. Cleaning needs to be done with caution. The fur can be lightly vacuumed first to remove dust and then sponged gently all over with soap flakes or fabric wash dissolved in water. Any remaining dampness needs to be blotted up using paper towel, then leave the toy to dry and brush its fur with a clean brush.
The early teddies were designed to closely resemble real bears, so one can tell approximately how old they are by their general appearance and construction. They usually have a longer snout, large feet, wider hips, and longer, curvy limbs, they also may have a hump between their shoulders. Instead of plastic, eyes are most often made out of glass or boot buttons. The fur is usually made from mohair and stuffed with wood shavings, wool, or kapok, and the body may have a hand-stitched seam.
It's advisable to obtain a reference guide that highlights key features to note. Certain manufacturers and time periods have trademark characteristics which make it easy to identify their bears. These guides also give expected price ranges for specific toys, but sometimes these are on the high-end and it is still possible to purchase the same teddy for a lower price.
It is likely that a teddy may have been repaired at one time or another, but this need not devalue it. Restorations are a common practice of many dealers who wish to try to restore the toy's original appearance and make it more attractive to buyers.
Collectors will find a huge selection of teddies available on the internet. It's necessary to be aware that many "fake" antique bears are on the market and being passed off as genuine and priced as such. These imposters may resemble the true antiques in features, but are usually plush instead of mohair and come in more colors, often with fur made to look worn out on purpose.
Another type of bear to avoid are those which are new but made in an old-fashioned style, the manufacturers are not try to pass them off as anything else, however sometimes dishonest dealers may attempt to make them look as though they are antiques and price them accordingly. Some collectors advise checking for an "aged" smell, but this is not always useful as the dealer may have cleaned the toy removing any scent.
Careful handling is necessary for teddies. They should be picked up by their torsos instead of their limbs, in order to prevent joint damage. They need to be kept away from children and pets, and should have limited contact with skin as its natural oils can cause fur deterioration.
Since they are made from fabric, antique teddy bears may attract moths, but this problem can be curtailed by placing them in the freezer overnight. Cleaning needs to be done with caution. The fur can be lightly vacuumed first to remove dust and then sponged gently all over with soap flakes or fabric wash dissolved in water. Any remaining dampness needs to be blotted up using paper towel, then leave the toy to dry and brush its fur with a clean brush.
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