Expression It is usually the case that the happier the teddy bear appears, the more sought after he will be. If in doubt, ask! There are fakes on the antique teddy bear market, and the maxim 'caveat emptor' holds as well here as anywhere else. 7. . face and body shape, colour or material of the eyes and nose, etc. Do not be tempted to clean the clothes of an antique bear yourself - it may do much more harm than good. A well-loved teddy may have a bald snout, his fur rubbed away by a thousand goodnight kisses! If your antique teddy bear has clothes, these may have yellowed a little or faded. 3. 4. Size It often follows that the bigger the teddy, the higher its value. Condition Significant damage will compromise the value of your teddy bear, and possibly your enjoyment of him too.If you're new to vintage bear collecting, you may wish to think about which particular type you find the most appealing. This led to the line being quickly discontinued, bringing us back to the issue of rarity. Despite their fierce expressions, these bears are much in demand now because of their exclusivity. Scarcity It often follows that the lower the number produced, the more highly prized the vintage bear. 6. The key is: collect what you love. Louis Vuitton made a small number of bears in 2000 fetching slide bearings suppliers as much as £130,000 when they went under the hammer.
Authenticity We're all familiar with the renowned Steiff buttons and dream of stumbling across the perfect teddy with one of those in his ear! Many teddy makers got into the habit of marking their bears, either with a button or label somewhere on the body, and this can be a good indication of authenticity. Accessories Antique teddies which come with their features intact and, if clothed, with their original garments, are much more sought after. 5. There are, however, exceptions to every rule.g. Age It usually follows that the older the teddy bear, the more sought after he'll be by collectors and the higher the price Ted will achieve! Antique teddy bears produced before World War I are generally the most valuable. It's far better to pay more for damage-free teddy, than one who has very obviously been through the wars! Of course, vintage bears will show some signs of age. If your antique teddy has no clothes and is a touch on the bald side, it may be time to get him an outfit and give him a new lease of life! 2. It is also useful for insurance purposes. Perhaps the decadence of the Steiff appeals to you, or the quirkiness of Care Bears.
A shelf-full of modern and antique, standard sized and miniature vintage bears will look a bit of a mish mash, whereas a small collection, of similar size and from the same period, will compliment one another. Often, these little indicators have long since been removed, though it is worth checking for traces - an indentation in the ear, a sliver of label in a seam - these telltale signs are key. jewellery or hats - even the box- so much the better as far as the teddy bear collector is concerned