Everything you need to know before selling your Steiff bear

There’s a story behind every Steiff bear. Maybe it was a surprising discovery made while clearing out your loft, enjoyed by children in your family for generations, or a present from a grandparent. Whatever its story, if you own or have inherited a Steiff bear and would like to sell it, it can be hard to know where to start or who to turn to for a quotation. Many factors affect the price of a Steiff bear, so it’s important to get advice you can trust.

In this blog, we share our guidance on finding a new home for your Steiff bear.

What Steiff bears are we interested in?

Collectable teddy bears can make a fantastic present to celebrate a new baby or birthday, and limited-edition characters can be a heartfelt gift for an avid fan.

We’re particularly interested in film and television characters, such as James Bond, Peter Rabbit, Roald Dahl’s Charlie Bucket, Looney Tunes, Wizard of Oz characters, along with Christmas editions, and royal bears, including the Danbury Mint royal baby bears and the Queen's 90th Birthday bear.

We’re always looking for limited editions more broadly, especially those with original box, tags, and certificate of authenticity.

What will affect the value of your Steiff bear?

Five key factors affect the value of a Steiff bear. 

1. How old they are: bears from the early 1900s are generally more desirable
2. How rare they are: limited editions or short production runs tend to attract stronger collector interest
3. The condition: the more ‘loved’ a bear is (showing signs of damage, wear, or restoration), the more it reduces the value
4. Presence of original features: the iconic Steiff button and tag, alongside labels, boxes, or certificates, can have a major impact on value
5. Current demand: most modern Steiff bears have modest resale value unless they are limited editions or part of a more desirable series.

Collectors tend to focus on earlier bears, higher-quality limited editions, and examples with strong provenance and condition. Construction details can also help us date a bear, since button styles, face construction, eyes, stuffing, nose thread and the number of paw claws differ depending on its age.

If you’d like to know more, you can find out if your Steiff bear is worth anything, and view our current Steiff bear collection.

What you need to know about the button, ear tag, labels and edition numbers

The classic Steiff bear button is a small metal button that has been fixed to the left ear since 1904. The ear tag is a fabric or printed tag attached alongside the button, sometimes showing wording like ‘Steiff Original’ or ‘Made in Germany’ (although they sometimes say Made in Austria or West Germany). There is also the chest, foot or back label, which is a paper or fabric label that sometimes has a model or reference number.

Sometimes the markings are missing, and you can usually see small holes or stitching marks on the ear that show where they used to be. Just because a button or tag is missing doesn’t automatically mean your bear isn’t genuine; concerned parents sometimes removed them for safety.

It’s important to never remove any of the original markings or tags because they are the key information we use to authenticate the bear for quotation. It’s natural to want your bear looking its best. Although it may be tempting, don’t carry out any restoration, repair or cleaning work. In short, leave the original features alone!

How do I photograph my Steiff bear for a quotation?

To complete a quotation for your Steiff bear, we need great photography taken in good light. This includes:

• Full-length shots from front, back and both sides
• Clear close-ups of the button, ear tag and any other labels
• Any damage, repairs or wear
• The original packaging, box or certificate (if available)
• A photo that shows the size of your bear.

Here’s more about key details about what photographs to send for an antiques quotation.

Is it better to sell one bear or a complete collection?

We find that collections are often more attractive to buyers, particularly when they include limited edition bears. However, if the collection consists of more mass-produced bears, the quotation can be lower than a single rare or early example in superb condition. If you are selling an individual bear, quality is the most important factor. Sometimes it’s worth selling individual stand-out pieces separately.

For an insight into the history and market, find out what makes Steiff bears so special.

Selling a Steiff bear: a simple checklist

1. Locate the button in the ear, fabric tag, and any label on the foot or chest, without removing or cleaning anything
2. Note the model or reference number if visible
3. Check for original packaging, boxes, or certificates of authenticity
4. Assess condition, including wear, damage, or any past repairs
5. Decide whether you're selling a single bear or a wider collection
6. Take clear, well-lit photographs covering the whole bear, close-ups of markings, and any damage
7. Get in touch with us for your quotation, letting us know the provenance, markings, size, and a description of the condition alongside your photos.

If you have a Steiff bear or soft toy and are unsure about the selling process, our team would love to help. Please contact us with clear photographs, and we’ll identify the piece and explain how completeness and condition may affect interest or value. You’ll receive a no-obligation quotation within 24 hours.