Featured Toy Bear (c. 1920) Provenance

This toy "Teddy" bear ("stuffed animal") was found among my grandmother's possessions after she passed away. It apparently belonged to either my mother or her older sister, which would have meant that it was acquired some time between approximately 1917 and 1930. My grandparents fled St. Petersburg, Russia around the time of the Revolution, moving first to Kaunas (Kovno), Lithuania, then Berlin, then Paris.

The bear would have been acquired while they were living in one of those locations, most likely Kaunas or Berlin. It evidently had enough sentimental value for my grandmother to keep it with her throughout the decades, during her trek through Europe and to North America (first Canada, then the U.S.). The photos show how some tears in the area of the chest and belly were skillfully sewn up, making them almost undetectable.

As I prepare to pass this along to my niece, along with some other family mementos, I would like to include any possible identifying information, which would make this keepsake more interesting and meaningful to her: e.g., the likely country of origin and the manufacturer name, likely year range of manufacture and so on. Also, could anyone recommend an online store that would sell an appropriate display case in which to put the bear (which is 14 inches tall and 4 inches wide at the shoulders)? As it's a bit fragile, I would like to pass it along in a protective display case, rather than loose.

Thanks so much for any assistance you might be able to provide (including a referral to another website or forum that specializes in this category of items, if that would be warranted).



Dan

 

Has he got a back hump? The bear experts (not me) would want to see the back. Is he stuffed with wood shavings or horsehair? Are the eyes glass or metal and is he mohair etc.? Does he have a growl? As much info as you can give will help. He’s a lovely bear btw.

 

The gold standard for teddy bears is Steiff. Here is some information about the German company that may help you in your search for information. And here's information about the teddy bear, a stuffed toy that wasn't commercial available until 1903 which works with your dates.

http://www.steiffusa.com/steiff-at-a-glance-fact-sheet/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teddy_bear

Debora

 

Pictures in sitting position, front, back and side..... and full back, please.

Close up of face, stitching paws too.

Can you feel a tin button embedded in the left ear?

 

The experts will be along, but he's definitely old. Maybe even older than you think. He has shoebutton eyes, and even I know enough to figure "that thing's been around a few". The fancy glass eyes came later.

 

As many of these questions answered as possible, plus requested photos, will help the experts respond.

 

I am, by no means, considering myself an expert in any category.

But, hoping to be able to have an opinion with better photos.

 

I'm no expert, either, but as a huge Steiff bear fan, I have to say that he sure looks like one!

 

Hi,
Any time I look at old stuffed bears I notice the arm and leg length. Most Steiff bears have longer arms and legs. Then I look at the face and ears.
greg

 

Steiff bears do have long arms. The shape of the leg should be a wide thigh, then tapering to the ankle.
The ears on OP's look OK in the picture.....however the foot looks overly stuffed.....rounded rather than flat.

But definitely more photos are needed.

And the OP should check the ear for an embedded tin button.

Hopefully, it is a Steiff, but prices aren't what they used to be.....like a lot of things.

 

The arms look long enough for an early bear. The button may well be missing, but the ear hole might still be there. He looks properly mohair, too.

 

i can't find a blonde bear with that upturned snout..

 

Many thanks to everyone for their interest and excellent questions/information. I have taken additional photos as requested and am uploading them here at this time. The original photos are all much higher resolution. I didn’t want to post the originals, for fear of taking up too much server space, but I could selectively upload parts of those if that would be helpful.

Here are my responses to the questions that have come in so far:

Q: Has he got a back hump?
A: Yes, as illustrated in the side and hump close-up photos.

Q: Is he stuffed with wood shavings or horsehair?
A: Judging from the places where the exterior covering has torn open, what I see appear to be pieces of tightly woven narrow hollow hard vine material of some sort (see for example the image with the file name Front_Left_Paw_Tear).

Q: Are the eyes glass or metal and is he mohair etc.?
A: The eyes do not seem to me to be glass. They do not have any kind of reflective quality. They look button-like to me. They may be metal or some other material. I do not know how to judge what the material is. As for the exterior covering, I don’t know how to judge whether it is mohair or something else.

Q: Does he have a growl?
A: If this refers to sounds that are emitted when the bear is touched or moved, the answer is no.

Q: Can you feel a tin button embedded in the left ear?
No, although it is possible that I am not squeezing hard enough in the right place. The bear is somewhat fragile, so I don’t want to exert pressure that might cause damage. I have included close-ups of the left ear, both front and back.

If I’ve missed any questions or any additional photos are needed to help with identification, please let me know.

Dan

 

that is one cute bear
the stuffing sounds like excelsior
could the eyes be leather shoe buttons?

 

Other than the eyes, I'd agree.

Might be worth contacting these chaps: http://oldteddybearshop.co.uk/home-page

 

Hands on by someone who is quite familiar with Steiff is recommended.

The nose stitching looks to have been redone.

The arms don't appear to be long enough judging from the photos.

The pads don't seem right and the stitching detail seems to be the same color as the nose. Could be the pads have been replaced.

The legs appear to be all one size, rather than wider at thigh, tapering to ankle.

I don't think one can say with all certainty that it's Steiff from these photos. IMHO, anyway.

(Many buttons are missing from Steiff bears).

 

My apologies: Just discovered that three shots (sitting front, sitting back and sitting side) I had been asked to take (and did in fact take) got lost in the shuffle, queued but not sent in my cell phone. I am uploading here at this time. Thank you again.

 

TY for your additional photos.

The profile photo does show a shorter arm than what Steiff bears usually have.

It's a nice bear......but is it Steiff????

The fact that a German life has been mentioned is something to be considered. My opinion, is that it is not a Steiff......Based mainly on the length of the arms, and the straightness of the legs.

I do like the profile of the head and upper body.....which are very Steiff like.

The re-stitching really would not disqualify it being a Steiff, but it would change the value.

Again, hands on by a bear person would tell you all the yays and nays.

I would absolutely love to be wrong and everyone else who thinks positively Steiff, be correct.

Please let us know if you ever find out. It would be a wonderful example for all of us to revue.