Steiff is a name that is well known in the world of teddy bear enthusiasts - but just why are these cuddly creatures so popular, and how have they earned their reputation as kings of the teddy bears? For this week's Object In Focus, we got up close and personal with some of the most popular lots at any Teddy Bear Sale.

Who Are Steiff?

When we say that Steiff are a significant name in the world of teddy bear collectibles, it is important to emphasis that we really are not joking: in face, Richard Steiff is the man often credited with inventing the teddy bear!

Richard Steiff, the namesake of the brand, was born in Giengen an der Brenz, Germany, on 7th February 1877, and sketched his very first bear in 1894, while studying at the Nilsche Tiergarten in Stuttgart. In 1897, Stief joined the company of his aunt, Mararete, and created his first bear in 1902 - the “Bear 55 PB” - toymaker code for 55 cm in height, and movable.

The next few years saw the design refined and enhanced, with the introduction of Bear 35 PB and 28 PB in 1904, along with the trademark of Steiff bears - a telltale button, located in the ear. The following year saw the introduction of the card disc joining method that is still used today, and 1906 saw the bears officially christened “Teddy”, after American President Theodore Roosevelt!

According to the story, Roosevelt captured the attention of Steiff when he refused to shoot a tethered bear during a hunting trip - an event captured by cartoonist Clifford K Berryman, and made famous by the Washington Post. Steiff clearly saw this as a worthy act, enough to name his creation after the animal-loving President: and the rest, as they say, is history!

Today, Steiff bears retain their reputation for quality, and are a firm favourite amongst collectors. They celebrated their 120th anniversary in 2022, and their popularity shows no signs of dwindling.

How To Identify A Vintage Steiff Bear

Wondering whether you have a Steiff bear hiding away in your home? The easiest way to identify these designs is through the distinctive button in the ear - a genuine Steiff bear will have a small button in its ear - if your bear was both from 1904-1905, this will be 6mm in width, and decorated with an elephant. Bears from 1905-1906 have blank buttons, and post 1906 bears have a 4mm button with “Steiff” printed on it.

And there we have it - a whistlestop tour into the world of Steiff bears. Make sure you head over to this weeks Teddy Bear sale to see if you can get your hands on your very own vintage companion - we will see you there!