Is my Steiff Bear worth anything?

Steiff is arguably the most renowned stuffed toy producer in the world, and can be attributed to the invention of the famous ‘Teddy Bear’. This guide will take you through some of Steiff’s rich brand history and provide insight on some of the contributing factors that determine a bear’s value.

Founded in Germany in 1880, by seamstress Margarete Steiff, the Steiff brand began producing toys after noticing children playing with her animal themed pin cushions. In 1902, Margarete’s nephew, Richard, created the first plush bear with movable arms and legs. The bear proved to be hugely popular, especially in America, and by 1907 there were almost 1 million orders. The bear became known as a ‘Teddy Bear’ after President Theodore Roosevelt.  

Steiff’s iconic and initiative teddy bear design and high-quality craftsmanship has contributed to its reputation as one of the leading brands in soft toy production. Their company motto “Only the best is good enough for children” highlights the emphasis placed on the use of high-end materials and tight standards. 

The Steiff brand has flourished and expanded well beyond the traditional teddy bear designs, including a number of collaborations with childhood classic characters such as Winnie the Pooh, Snoopy and Paddington Bear.

How to identify a Steiff bear?

Steiff bears are identifiable by their iconic ear button and tag. This is a gold pin with Steiff engraved and a Steiff branded tag attached. The tag can contain information such as the model number and identify what collection the bear is from. You also may want to look for a Steiff label which can be found on the foot, ear, back or chest. If you cannot find the ear tag or labels have a look for any holes or gaps where the labels and buttons could have been removed. Some bears will also have separate certificates which can be used to identify them. 

Are Steiff bears a good investment? 

Thanks to the long history and legacy of the brand, vintage Steiff bears in good condition have become rare and highly desirable among collectors and have been known to fetch high amounts. In addition, the brand has released many limited-edition models which can also have high resale values on the secondary market. 

For example, in 1912, after the Titanic disaster, Steiff produced a black teddy bear described as tribute to the victims. With under 500 ever being made these are now hugely rare and sought after by collectors. In 2023 a Steiff Titanic mourning bear sold for over $250,000 at auction in Germany. 

Another notable example is the Steiff ‘Harlequin,’ model. With its striking half red half blue design, this 1925 model is now hugely rare and in 2010 one was sold for over £45,000. 

What’s the most expensive bear in the world?

The Louis Vuitton collaboration Steiff bear has achieved values of up to $2 million. Produced in 2000, the bear wears the iconic Louis Vuitton monogram print outfit and has gold thread with diamond eyes, making it the most expensive Steiff bear known to date. 

In conclusion, the brand Steiff bears are far more than just children’s toys, with they’re rich history and craftsmanship they can be valuable assets. Whether a Steiff bear will increase in value will depend on its individual model and age, with more limited editions and older models generally fetching higher amounts. Many models come with certificates and boxes which can also increase the value of your bear. 

The most sought-after Steiff bears

In our current range, our most sought-after bears are a collection of Wizard of Oz character bears ranging from £370-£700:

Steiff bears from £50-£100

We also have a number of popular Steiff bears from £50-£100:

Steiff bears for sale

At PM Antiques & Collectables, we purchase a wide range of Steiff bears and toys, so contact us today to see how much your Stieff collection could be worth!

We also have a wide range of Stieff bears for sale - perfect for gifts, and for collectors alike.