By the 1950′s this particular bear was brought back to life in various sizes and colours but again fell from grace in the 70′s when production ended and the company was taken over. In addition to the growlers, some also included musical mechanisms. If you are looking for one of these bears, look for the plastic medallion with “Schuco TRICKY Patent” on one side and “Made in the US zone of Germany”.
On March 11, 2010, In antique bears, By admin
On November 16, 2009, In antique bears, By admin
No doubt you have bears from all corners of the world, of different ages and made from different materials and with different values. I’m also sure if you are a collector, even if you have not done any restoration work, that you will have least kept them in the best condition possible. So how can you make money if you are unsure of their value?
Buying And Selling Antique Bears
The simple answer is probably to buy a good reference guide book that will list the most collectible and popular bears. You certainly need to know what you are looking for in terms of identifying certain bears, but once you have an idea, get yourself off to those second-hand shops, flea markets and auctions. At first you may like to take the book with you to sneak a look in a corner but after a bit of practice, you’ll soon get the hang of what is of value and what is not. Also keep an eye on Ebay and more particularly the lesser known auction sites and Craigs List for example. As Ebay attracts the big dealers, it may just be wise to see what’s there and the end result rather than bid yourself.
The most collectible names to look for are Steiff, Ideal, Chad Valley, Farnell, Merrythought, Hermann and Chiltern.
When it comes to selling your bears, get as much of their general and personal history as you can. Not only will this make you sound knowledgable, it will give people confidence to buy from you. And if you can’t bring yourself to sell your newly acquired antique bear, you can always keep it safe yourself!
On August 31, 2009, In antique bears, By admin
Now what kind of condition is it in? Does it have worn spots where it has been played with? Please stand back and look at the antique teddy bear like a buyer and not a seller. Some wear is acceptable, but not as a rule.
What kind of joints does it have if it has joints at all? Some bears are called jointed because the arms and legs move. Is there any missing pieces? Eyes and mouths and even arms and legs are sometimes missing. Do you have the part that fell off? If so keep it handy as it can be repaired.
What type of eyes does your antique teddy bear have? Glass or shoe button eyes or sewn on eyes? This will be relevant to the age of the bear. Does the bear have a button or the remains of one in its left ear? If it does have a button it may be a Steiff teddy bear and this is very good for a high appraisal. Measure the bears height. The height also adds to value.
Now that you know alot about your bear, write it down and go to your favorite . Use the information you have obtained to compare your bear to ones that are for sale. Always keep an eye on completed listings and use these to determine your antique teddy bear’s worth.
On August 29, 2009, In antique bears, By admin
Some of the fillings used in the older bears were never designed to be washed, so never put your bear in the washer! Apart from it being traumatic for the owner watching the little thing spin, your antique teddy bear will probably come out in bits!
If your bear is really valuable, seek professional help and do not attempt cleaning it on your own. Professionals are insured (check first though) but you are not. If you must attempt to clean your bear do make sure it is in excellent condition first and wear cotton gloves to prevent the transfer of natural oils from your hands. Use a little luke-warm water with some very mild liquid detergent that is specially designed for fragile fabrics and swish it up. Dip a sponge or very soft cloth into the foam only and gently stroke the fur. Do not make the fur wet! Dab off any wetness with a dry soft cloth, but do not rub the material.
Leave your antique teddy bear in a warm and natural atmosphere to dry completely on his own. Then fluff up the fur gently with a soft brush.
There are not that many around, but a really useful book to read that is full of excellent tips and information about cleaning and restoring your antique teddy bear can be found HERE.