Antique teddy bears are a great collector's item. This toy has been a popular one for years, though it is relatively new so far as toys go. It is soft, cuddly, and gives comfort to those who love them so much. They are often given to children by policemen and by hospitals when a child has surgery, a long-term illness, or is brought to the emergency room with a traumatic 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.
Facial features are another trait that can indicate the age. Those from the very earliest years had eyes made of boot buttons. Glass eyes became common in the 1920's. Plastic eyes didn't come into use until the 1950's. The noses on the earliest models were made from woven silk. Later manufacturers had their unique nose styles, marking them as later productions.
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.
Facial features are another trait that can indicate the age. Those from the very earliest years had eyes made of boot buttons. Glass eyes became common in the 1920's. Plastic eyes didn't come into use until the 1950's. The noses on the earliest models were made from woven silk. Later manufacturers had their unique nose styles, marking them as later productions.
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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