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It is important to know how much your teddy bears are worth before buying or selling them.  Some have been known to go up in price over the years while others stayed the same or went down. If you aren’t sure how to figure out how much your teddy bears are worth you can ask a dealer or go out and get a book.  Collecting teddy bears can be very profitable if you know what you are doing.

Examine your teddy bears thoroughly before ever taking them for a show or auction. Before buying them look them over and ask as many questions as you can think of. Find out where the bear came from and who had him last.  By examining your teddy bears you should be able to tell how much they are worth and know if you want to sell them or buy any new ones.

If you have inherited a teddy bear collection, or if you have started looking for bears when you go out to estate sales and the like, you may be wondering if you actually own a collectible teddy bear or not.  Although any teddy bear is certainly collectible if it makes you happy, there are some bears that are worth more to collectors than others.  With a bit of practice, you can learn to look for signs that one bear is more collectible than another.  For starters, there are several different things to look at on teddy bears to determine their value.  This article is a basic primer to get you started.  Labels, joints and pads on their feet can tell you just how old they are. Their face can give you a round about guess on which decade they were distributed. Fur is another issue, depending on what type of fur, the condition it is in and everything to that nature.

photo credit: San Sharma
If the joints that are stiff hard like a bear you’d find in a craft store, remember in the beginning these were what the teddy bears looked like. The pads on the teddy bear will indicate if he is good quality or not.  In the early years of teddy bears, many companies would make them with really long noses because it was suppose to represent the real thing, not something cute and cuddly. If your teddy bears have glass or button eyes they might be worth something. Last, if you have a hand-sewn teddy bear with no flaws or very minimal flaws.

No Comments | Tags: antique teddy bears, button eyes, collectible teddy bear, glass eyes, teddy bear price, teddy bear value, teddy bears, teddy bears for sale, vintage teddy bears

I'm continuing my posts of Teddy Bear stories.  This one has some grammatical errors, but it was sent from someone who lives in a country far from me and English is their second language.  I'm leaving this particular story the way it is just because it tells a nice story and it was written from the heart...

I grow up with lots of stuffed toys around. This became a collection because my mom used to keep them all from the day of my conception and I continued it up to my teenage years. I kept them in glass cabinets, so I can see them all without having to touch them one by one. I have five cabinets for my selected stuffed animals. I gave some to my friends and relatives. My favorites among them are a teddy bear, a puppy, and a hamster. I named them as Dave, Jembot, and Miming respectively. These three have the same brown color. I sleep with them in my bed since childhood up to the day I left for college. I used to put on small shirts on my teddy bear Dave. I can still remember before that I fantasized him as real. I play and talk with him. Every time I am taking my snacks while playing, I gave him a share. Also as I study my lessons, I allow him to watch on my notes. Every time my mom will wash him, I consider it he was just taking a bath. I love to reminisce those days.

photo credit: MightyM0use

I think it is wonderful that the magic of Teddy bears has spread all around the world.  We sometimes live in such a small world that we impose upon ourselves.  We don't realize how many things we might have in common with people in far off places.  It would seem that the love of Teddy Bears is one of those things!

No Comments | Tags: collecting teddy bears, favorite teddy bears, more teddy bears, teddy bear collection, Teddy Bear Stories, teddy bears around the world, teddy bears for children

I've started posting some favorite stories of how people connected with a special Teddy Bear.  I hope you like them.  If you have an original story about a favorite Teddy Bear that you would like to share, please use the contact form to submit it and it may get its own post! (By submitting your story, you give www.cuteteddybearstuff.com permission to publish it on this website.)   Here is another one...

My favourite teddy bear growing up was a cast-off from my sister. I know what you’re thinking – I liked a teddy bear that wasn’t technically mine? It seems a little weird, but I loved that teddy bear more than any other new one that my parents ever bought for me. She still sits on my bed, greeting me every day when I come back from university or work. Sure, she’s a little threadbare now, her eyes are falling off and she’s no longer plump and cuddly like she used to be, but nothing in the world could induce me to throw her out. Call it sentimentality or whatever you want, but if I threw her out or “donated her to charity” I’d never forgive myself. It would be like throwing out an old friend except worse because she’s been with me since I was two years old. Some people ask me whether I feel silly that I still own a teddy bear at my age, but I just smile at them because they’ll never know that she’s more than a stuffed toy to me, she’s a friend.

photo credit: bazylek100

No Comments | Tags: Collectible Teddy Bears, cute teddy bears, favorite teddy bear, teddy bear love, Teddy Bear Stories, Teddy Bear Stuff

I am fortunate to have the opportunity to speak to large groups of people as a part of my regular work routine.  Many of the people I speak to are collectors of various items.  I recently asked some collectors to share stories of favorite items they have either based collections on, or just kept for sentimental reasons.  When I mentioned Teddy Bears as an example, I saw a few faces light up before they began writing.  I thought it would be nice to share some of their stories.  If you would like to share your own special Teddy Bear story, just use the contact form, and you could get your own post!  (By submitting your story you give www.cuteteddybearstuff.com permission to publish it on this website.)

When I was a little girl I had a brown teddy bear, that was given to me for my birthday. He was just a regular stuffed bear. But he was my best friend. I named him Teddy. I slept with him every night, and if I did not have Teddy in my bed with me, I could not sleep. He was soft and cuddly, and huggable. He always made me feel safe, I knew that as long as Teddy was with me nothing could happen to me.   As a child I was afraid of the dark and of monsters. If I had Teddy with me, no monsters would be coming out of my closet.

I had my first child 10 years ago, and of course he inherited Teddy. My son still has this bear, and sleeps with him just like I did. My son loves Teddy just as much as I do. I bought my daughter a Christmas bear the year she was born, in 2001, she loves her bear and calls her Mary. She sleeps with her bear every night and in the morning when she gets up and makes up her bed, she puts Mary the bear sitting on her pillow. I also have a two year old son, and when I was pregnant with him, my husband and I went to a build a bear workshop and made him a special bear just for him. His name is Baby bear, and when you press his hand he says "I love you." Baby Bear always wears pajamas, and sleeps with my two year old. All children love teddy bears, and all children need a bear of their own. They make great gifts and can also be a family heirloom, to be passed down parent to child, just like I did.

No Comments | Tags: build a bear, Collectible Teddy Bears, cute teddy bears, teddy bear collecting, Teddy Bear Stories, teddy bear story, vintage teddy bears

photo credit: torisan3500

In the spirit of truly Cute Teddy Bear Stuff, I thought I'd show share some wonderful videos I found showing off people's Teddy Bear collections.  I found this particular video and thought that I had to share it with all of you.

If you have a bear collection of your own, one of the nicest ways to show it off can be a simple little video like this.  There are a number of Teddy Bear songs that have been made over the years.  I'll try to get as many of the videos as I can on here to share with Teddy Bear fans.

No Comments | Tags: collecting teddy bears, teddy bear collections, Teddy bear song, Teddy Bear Songs, teddy bear video, teddy bear videos

Artist bears are a great way to go for people who enjoy collecting one of a kind bears (ooak bears).   Artist bears are specially made bears that many times are unique because they are created individually by a person with a gift for designing and sewing/making Teddy bears.  Teddy bear artists are often quite talented at giving unique expressions and features to the bears they create.  In my opinion, it is the eyes filled with expression and the custom features that are sometimes offered that make these toys irresistible.

One of the reasons people decide to collect these wonderful bears is the often amazing detail work that is evident in the craftsmanship.  Special touches like arms that hug smaller plush animals or facial expressions that are amazingly lifelike can win Teddy bear collectors over in short order.  Some artists are even willing to work within specific guidelines for individual buyers looking for just the right bear.

Of course not all artist bears are created equal.  Some people are more talented than others when it comes to not only using their imagination to dream up a bear design, but also doing the work of physically creating the bear.  The highest quality bears sometimes can go for high prices, but buyers know that they have added something truly special to their collection when a purchase is made.  Since these bears are generally not mass produced, many artist bears are unique.  Unlike collecting bears from well known makers, building a collection of artist bears can really make a display unique.

If you decide to start collecting artist bears, you can look for individual bear artists in your area or online.  Contacting them should not be difficult if they are online and  they might be willing to listen to your ideas about building a very special bear.  If you are looking to purchase on eBay, be sure to check out the completed listings and feedback of sellers.  If the seller is serious about their business, they will include plenty of details besides just taking one lonely photo.  Be sure to ask questions until your curiosity had been satisfied.

Here is a video showing the creation of a very unorthodox bear being made.  I think if I owned him, his name would have to be Doodle.

No Comments | Tags: artist bear, artist bears, artist teddy bear, artist teddy bears, collectible, collectible bears, making teddy bears, unique bears

Teddy bears are one of the best gifts you can give someone you care about.   Even without any kind of personalized message, their unique personalities, shown in their tiny, expressive eyes can speak volumes to the one you love.  Every once in a while, you get someone who just has to do things a little bit bigger and better than everyone else.  These are the people who tend to own giant teddy bears.  Sometimes they just buy these for other people.  Sometimes these come from winning games at amusement parks.  When I was little I won a giant teddy bear that was as big as I was and my Mom was tired of it within a week.  She never made me get rid of it though because she knew I liked it so much.

photo credit: kamshots

There are many people in the world who actively collect teddy bears, but if the person you are buying for is not a collector, that does not mean that the gift will not be greatly appreciated.  Bears can now be made designed to your specifications and can include special messages for the person getting the fuzzy, huggable gift.  When someone receives such a special gift from you that just cries out to be held, you can be sure that each squeeze will contain a little thought of you, the one who gave the gift.

These precious collectibles have a long history that dates back to the very early 1900s when President Theodore Roosevelt refused to shoot a captive bear.   The story became a widely seen cartoon, which then became a stuffed animal.  The stuffed toys became all the rage in the United States.  The fortunate timing of the Steiff company also coming out with a stuff bear toy at the same time in Europe added fuel to the craze and the rest is toy history.

If you are stuck for an idea of what to give that special someone, a teddy bear is a choice with a long successful history behind it.  There are plenty of places around that will let you personalize a teddy bear for a loved one.  Kids absolutely go nuts for taking a trip to make a custom made bear.  A giant teddy bear or a personalized bear will be be memorable for the person who gets the bear.  Pick out the bear that sends just the right message to your loved one and just put it into their hands. The bear will do the rest.

No Comments | Tags: favorite teddy bears, giant teddy bears, personalized teddy bears, teddy bear, Teddy Bear Gifts, teddy bears

Some people collect things.  Other people wonder why some people collect things.   I don’t think there is any one reason why people build collections.  Many collections start completely by accident.  I’m sure that many teddy bear collections were begun after someone received a couple of bears that they really liked and then put them out on display.  Maybe they talked about them a lot or played with them constantly.  That caught the eye of someone who cared about them who thought a new bear might make a nice gift.  THAT bear got added to the collection, and so on and so on…

photo credit: riptheskull

I’m sure there is probably some deep psychological reason why we collect things.  I’m not really into looking at any deep seated motivations.   I just like teddy bears!

Some people starting a collection want to know exactly which bears they should “focus” on as they build their collections.  I guess maybe I’m the wrong person to ask if you want an answer based purely on financial investment opportunities.   My reply would simply be a question.  What do you like?

If you enjoy searching out the oldest and rarest of bears, then by all means, feel free to save your money and buy some old antique bears.  Some Steiff bears from the early 1900s will sell for over a thousand dollars.  I’m sure if you keep them in good shape, there is probably a good chance they will appreciate in value as they get older.  There is absolutely nothing wrong however, with wanting to collect Build A Bears or some other type of bear.  Want to collect all white or dark brown bears?   Go for it!  Who is to say you are wrong for liking what you do?

photo credit: Rennett Stowe

Personally, I like to actually pick up and handle my bears.  To me, each one is tied to some special memories that I can soak up and savor each time I give it a squeeze.  I’m sure that some people cringe at that, but I don’t like to just watch my bears collecting dust on a shelf.  I’m not recommending that anyone do anything with their bears that may damage them.  I’m just stating my own collecting technique.  Another reason I like to actually pick up my bears is that they don’t collect dust nearly as much when I do that.  A dust collection looks pretty bad and once they get dusty, it can be a real pain trying to get them clean. Hey, but that’s just me!

photo credit: crabchick

No Comments | Tags: collecting teddy bears, favorite teddy bears, teddy bear collecting, teddy bear collections, teddy bear friends, teddy bears

Another of the big names in popular collectible bears is Gebruder Bing. Bing bears date back to the early twentieth century.  The Bing toy company itself dates back to the 1890s but they made their first “Teddy Bear in 1907, amidst the explosion of the bears’ popularity.  There were some issues with charges of copying between Steiff and Bing, but both made wonderful, beautifully detailed bears that are prized by collectors today.

Bing bears are often prized and recognized for their mechanical capabilities.  Before bears became the popular collectible to own, the Bing company was known for its superior mechanical toys.  The company did a great job of translating their mechanical expertise to the bear market.  Depending on the particular bear, they could skate, look around, walk and even do acrobatics!   That seems quite advanced looking back one hundred years.

Not all of the bears made by Bing were mechanical however.   They were a quality brand in competition with other big bear names like Steiff.  The quality of Bing bears was top shelf and the non-mechanical bears could hold their own based on the merits of cuteness and quality.

Bing used button eyes (black) up until World War 1.   After that time, glass eyes became standard on the bears.  Many of their early bears are quite collectible and very valuable.  The Bing company ran into financial trouble in the 1930s and was gone from the scene until a rebirth later brought them back in to the stuffed teddy bear arena.

If you have somehow managed to have a vintage Bing bear in your possession, you may be holding on to something quite valuable.  One of the best ways to get a feel for the approximate value of your bear is to check out the eBay “completed” listings for similar items.  A completed listing is simply an auction or “buy it now” transaction that has already run its course and has either ended in a sale or without any offers from buyers.  You can get a great look at not only what is out there that is similar to your bear, but also the condition of what is being sold.   There are very few “mint” teddy bears of vintage age floating around out there.

There are plenty of serious bear collectors out there today who purchase their new bears and only touch them to keep them from collecting dust.  These early bears were not bought to be shelved however.  Most of the vintage teddy bears you will find spent the early parts of their existence being regularly hugged and loved by little arms.  All of that squeezing is exactly what they were built for, but it isn’t very conducive to keeping the bears looking pristine.  You will find as you check out listings, that there are a lot of well loved bears being bid on without any hesitation though.

No Comments | Tags: antique bing, antique bing bear, antique bing bears, bing, bing bears, bing bears for sale, bing teddy bears, vintage bing bears

Russ Bears are one of the more searched for teddy bears on eBay. They part of the Russ Berrie line of dolls, trolls and bears that have become so popular because of their great designs and attention to detail. Many people collect these bears exclusively. eBay is a popular place to look for Russ Berrie Bears because the hard to find ones can still be found there and the prices on very gently "used" bears are often quite reasonable.  Of course, there are Russ dogs and cats too, so if you have any special people in your life who love those animals, they've got you covered!

The oldest of the Russ Bears are now in their mid forties. Mere babies compared to some of the older classics like Steiff and Bing, but still old enough that some of the original owners are feeling some nostalgia as they look back at the special teddy bears they grew up with.

Here are a few quick tips to help you as you check for deal on Russ Bears on ebay:

1. The site has been making a move toward showing a lot of "buy it now" items. That is great for people who want to get what they want and go, but don't forget to check out the auctions. It seems that lately, many great bears are slipping by without a single bid even though they are priced outrageously low (like $5). This may just be something that was happening when I checked, but it is worth checking out.

2. Be sure to ask any questions you have about a bear you like before bidding. Most sellers are happy to answer questions or provide extra photos to potential buyers.

3. Check completed listings (auctions that have ended) to see what similar bears have been selling for on eBay. Doing this can help you to recognize a steal when you see it.

Russ bears are one of the more commonly seen collectible bears on eBay. While the company does have its own site, people concerned with saving some money might want to compare prices there with those available on eBay. There are many bears in excellent condition being sold at very low prices. This may just be an effect from the economy which is currently down, but it is definitely something worth checking out if you are a collector of Russ bears or any collectible.

No Comments | Tags: bing bears, Collectible Teddy Bears, russ bear, russ bears, russ berrie bear, russ berrie bears, russ teddy bear, russ teddy bears, steiff bears, teddy bear, teddy bears, teddy bears on ebay