How Do You Identify Steiff Bears?
The Steiff bear is the quintessential toy bear collected the world over. The first Steiff bears showed up in the marketplace in 1892 and were the precursor to the beloved teddy bear we know today. Antique Steiff bears are quite collectible, so if you think you have one or are thinking of buying one, it’s a good idea to know some of the basic characteristics of authentic Steiffs before selling or buying one. Look for the metal button that is pegged into the left ear of each Steiff bear. Steiff began inserting these buttons in 1904. Over the years, the buttons have been made from a few different metals—brass, iron, nickel-plated and, for special limited edition bears, gold-plated. A nickel plated button with no raised lettering on it denotes one of the earliest Steiff bears. Look for either cloth ear tags or tags sewn into the seam in the chest area. Depending on the tag, look for printing that says such things as “Steiff original,” “Made in Germany” and “Made in US-Zone Germany.” Some
