Introduction . . .

I am now honored to reach out to the collectors and owners
of unidentified bears, stuffed animals and vintage toys.

Ken did this for years and was an expert appraiser. I was his understudy or apprentice and together we viewed and enjoyed each and every request that came our way.

Appraising bears online will be a fun adventure for all of us. We will share our discoveries here on this web page.

Meeting new faces, in teddy bear form, and sharing the knowledge I have gathered, will be a joy. Together we can discover that everything old can be newly appreciated!

Beary best,
Brenda Yenke 

How much is your beloved bear worth?

Cursor down to discover the appraisal procedure.

Hi Sheryl,
Your large sized teddy is called a reproduction done by a teddy bear artist to resemble the older bears. These were quite prolific in the 1990s, offering the look of an old bear at a fraction of the cost. Sue Pearson and Dottie Ayers wrote a book on teddies in 1995, and happened to dedicate a small portion to this phenomenon. They referred to them as fake bears. I think the question is why were they made? Intent is key. Most artists signed their pieces, proud of their craft and wanting to share with collectors. The fur does appear to be a short mohair, shaven snout and hand sewn cord nose. The pads are not as worn as the muzzle, but still in perfect condition. The long arms, long legs and large feet are all traits of early pieces. The excelsior stuffing also emulates the older models. He is jointed as you mentioned and cardboard would have been the choice for early discs. They were protected with a metal washer, inserted against the cotter pin that connected the parts to the body. We can say it was made in the style of the older bears, and label him a “reproduction”. The sale of such pieces we hope was not to deceive the buyer, rather a copy to emulate the antique bears. It helps to have books on older bears, then compare info. At this point in time, he is also called a collectible and could be used as a teaching tool for collectors. Value for your artist teddy would be $175.00.
Brenda

Hi Sarah,
You have very sweet friends who decided to gift you with teddy, who is now vintage! At 24”, he is considered large. His background is English, coming from the Chiltern factory. His fur is mohair, reddish brown glass eyes, worn velvet pads that are original, and over stitched claws still attached to the hands. When new all four claws were visible. The nose is a molded safety plastic with a mouth extension and septum drop. He has been well loved with slight areas of fur loss, hence this Hugmee series is very appropriate! Dating to the 1960s, he is quite a charmer. The stuffing is soft, not the hard excelsior. If you have pictures of both you and teddy, that makes the provenance! Increases the value by about 10%or more. As he is, value would be $325.00.
Brenda

PS. A talented teddy bear artist could repair the exposed paw pad and just need plugging on the rest. If you sew, you could try this repair, by looking for the correct shade and composition of material.

Hi Julie,
You have what is referred to as a miniature teddy, at 6”.
He is mohair, has disc joints with a cotter pin attached to anchor his arm to the shoulder. The stuffing is excelsior. Teddy is a German maker, possibly Strunz. The original shoe button eye and the other replacement is placed within the head seam. The cord nose is horizontal and the arms and legs have no pads, just seamed closures. The ears have a slight cupping. He dates to 1909+ and would also be referred to as a doll sized teddy. Made in the image of Steiff, Strunz had many court appearances to counter their likeness. Value for your little guy would be $300.00.
Brenda

Hi John,
Your 10” unjointed teddy bear was made like the crib bears were constructed, no hard joints! The plastic radiating eyes resemble those from the American company, Knickerbocker. They introduced teddies into their toy line by the 1920s.
This particular star gazing eye was used in the 1960s. It also explains the large round ears, soft felt nose and red cord for the mouth. The button is not a part of production for this unjointed bear, it may have been placed there by an owner. The over stitched seams, acrylic fur and soft stuffing were all safety features. This famous NY firm moved to NJ in the late 60s. They ceased operating in the 1980s. One of their famous bears was featured in the Shirley Temple movie, Now and Forever, in the 1930s. Value for your safety first teddy would be $45.00.
Brenda

Hello,
This is my mom's bear.
It is a bit beat up - no tags or buttons anywhere. 12" tall.
I thought it might be Steiff but has no ear tag. 5 claws on each foot, missing one eye. He has and embroidered nose.
Thanks for your assistance.

Gail

Hi Gail,
You surely do have an important teddy..it is American Ideal. This is one of the first ones, with 5 claws, shoe button eyes, sewn horizontal nose cord and short mohair. Morris and Rose Michtom had a stationery shop in NY. After hearing of Pres. Theodore Roosevelt’s hunting expedition and boundary dispute in MS, the legend says they made teddy bears and offered them in their shop. We know the Ideal Novelty and Toy Co. was first operational in 1907. This Bear would be one of their first, possibly 1905. The wool pads are perfect, with the classic pointed toes. ideal had the arms low on the shoulders, the ears cupped and sewn on the side of the head. His condition is remarkable. So you have pictures of your Mom with teddy? Value for your 12” American beauty would be $1,500.
Brenda

Hi Gabriel,
Your sweet find happens to be English, from the Chiltern Co. In 1919, Leon Rees inherited Chiltern Toy Works from his father in law and a business associate, Josef Eisenmann. Leon works with Harry Stone to form their H.G. Stone & Co. to market stuffed toys under Chiltern Toy Works. At 16”teddy is considered medium sized, was made of mohair and has totally articulated joints. He dates to the 1930s, with the small ears sewn within the head seam, and a slight upward turn to the pads. Known as the Hugmee series, this was a very cuddly group, and as seen from his mohair loss..he was very well loved. The eyes are clear glass, and the nose is vertically stitched with a wide mouth. Some of the eyes were red glass, while the nose at times had an upward outer stitch. The oval pads are original on the feet, while the hands are recovered. He sports three claws on each appendage. By the late 1960s, they merged with Chad Valley. Value for well loved teddy authentic would be $ 125.00.
Brenda

Hi Donald,
Wow..nice find for a really great price! Your newest teddy is German, possibly coming from the Sonneberg area, by J.G. Escher and Sohn. Founded in 1890 their dolls were first, then the bears developed in the 1920s. No hump on the back, five way jointed and small ears slightly cupped ears were featured in their catalogs. With the slight turned up nose, short mohair, oval foot pads, four claws and a simple horizontal cord nose with a deep inverted Y for the mouth. I believe the stuffing is excelsior with the firmness exhibited. The muzzle is slightly shaven. The hand knitted wool sweater is a reminder of the original factory with their many dolls. The red and white hat adds to a circus feel as well. Foot pads seem to be replaced, while the wool felt hand pads are excellent. Shoe button eyes are placed on the head seam. Value for your 1920s, 14” teddy would be $350.00. Enjoy!
Brenda

Hi Brenda,

This gold mohair bear was bought at an auction and remains in his 'as is' condition. He took my interest as he has similar characteristics to my Grandmother's old bear, therefore very keen to hear your thoughts on his history. He stands at 49cm/19 inches, legs 20cm/8 inches and arms 18cm/7 inches. His body contains 5 joints and is filled with kapok. His head filling looks like fine cork chips.

Hi Suzanne,
This teddy at 19” appears to be American, and the cork stuffed head would emulate the Hahn & Amberg Co. of NY. The hand sewn finishing seam is located in the back, a trait that coincides with most of the American companies. I would date her (since it reminds you of your Grandmothers teddy), to 1915. American products were a bit behind the German makers in quality, for mohair and wool felt. She has been a very valuable companion to someone over the years, hence her almost total mohair loss. But, her backing is strong, and she has kept her joints! The slight cupped hands are also an American trait. Her nose could be carefully restored. She has nice pointed toes, and large cupped ears to hear all conversations. Her arms extend from a low shoulder. This company also made Eskimo dolls/Teddy dolls with mohair bodies and heads of bisque or celluloid. The original eyes may have been round shoe buttons, as opposed to the flat ones. She would be worth about $100.00 with slight repairs. Goldie is very sweet!
Brenda

Hi Cathy,
Your American made Gund teddy bear is not mohair, but seems to be a wool plush. The muzzle probably matched the off white wool felt pads, and not the body material. The eyes are glass, and the stuffing in the muzzle and head appear to be excelsior, while the body is kapok. Over stitched seams were very common for Gund. Large cupped ears complete his profile. The bell must have been his “music”. The joints are fully articulated. Teddigund dates to the late 1940s. Value as he is, $35.00, while a properly, fully restored example would be $125.00.
Brenda

Hi Suzanne,
Your interesting character teddy has a definite English appeal with the costuming and non jointed stance. Most likely favoring the Deans company, he dates to the late 1930s-40s. They made this style for many years, under the leadership of designer Richard Ellet. Located in London, Dean’s Rag Book tags were attached to their plush bears from 1920s-1955. During WWII, they had a limited factory, concentrating on war needs. His stationery mohair head, with rust colored vertical nose and slight mouth extension, appears as a dignitary almost, with the blue wool uniform top and herringbone tweed trousers. The buttons color match his nose! Shoe button eyes, outside the head seam, and a velvet type covering for the inner ears, and pads. His hands and feet are also mohair. The stuffing is kapok, and excelsior, very firmly packed. There are no claws. They existed through world wars and many changes in leadership, but survived until 2015! Value for your “character” standing teddy would be $150.00 as is. An expert repair could be accomplished with a matching tweed, to increase the value.
Brenda

Hi Patrick,
Your wife’s childhood teddy is the famous one..from Steiff. This design is the “Original Teddy”, with five way jointing, long arms and large cupped ears. He was made is the 1950s, and this design is the original one. In the 1970s they altered the head design into a heart shaped with a seven muzzle. Her teddy is in great condition, and any pictures of teddy with her would be an added bonus on the value. Steiff was formed in 1877, with Margarete being the main seamstress. Even with her disability of polio, and only able to use her right arm, with her left foot completely paralyzed and only slight movement in her right foot, she used the wheelchair and her religious dedication for success. Her motto..”Only the best is good enough for our children”. At the time your wife’s teddy was made, it had a button in the ear, with a tag, cardboard chest tag and a ribbon around the neck. He is 14”, and has 4 woven claws on each appendage. The nose was hand sewn too, vertically with brown cord. The glass eyes have a painted back, and anchored in place. The wool felt pads are in excellent conditions. Value your German born teddy would be $350.00 and up, increased with provenance.
Brenda

Hi Brenda,

I'm curious who is the maker and the value. He sits about 1ft tall and weighs maybe a pound or two. Stout little bear. Look forward to hearing from you.

Mike

Hi Julie,
Your heirloom teddy, with the Steiff underscored button, is a classic! Steiff, being the ultimate German maker, has retained his glory! At 12”, he is just a tad larger than the doll sized teddy. The button is from 1905- onward, with the blank button being 1904-05. A one year characteristic of 5 claws happened only in 1905. After that, four claws were apparent. He has some mohair loss, and stuffing has settled, but his wool felt pad appears in excellent condition. His upturned nose is quite impressive!
The long arms, and large feet were early traits. His hand closed seam is in the front. The nose is perfectly stitched, with the mouth extension. His value would be $800.00 as is. Nice!
Brenda

Hi Brenda,
This bear has been in our family for many years and as you can see is in poor condition,, it's 17 inches tall when standing, straw filled with jointed arms legs and head all joined with disks that I can feel,, it also has a hump on it upper back,, we have always been curious where it originates from?

We are based in the United Kingdom.
Many Thanks
Gary

Brenda,

Partnering with a friend of a friend selling his mom's doll collection. She passed in the 1980's and assembled an amazing collection of over 500 dolls. She kept meticulous notes about her collection. Unfortunately this one fell through the cracks and we can't find documentation. Thank you!

Bob

Hi Bob,
Your pictures are great, letting me see the wire jointing, felt pads and simple gathers in the arms to cover the seam closing. He is an early Japanese model, made with short bristle mohair, thin armature, and small defined feet. The original shoe button eye points to the 1920s for his birth. The horizontally stitched nose is simple, with an cord extension for his slight smiling mouth. At 14”, he is medium sized bear, a perfect companion for dolls. The hand wool pads are larger to permit the slight outward appeal..offering more character. The three cord claws are intact, a marvel for an antique teddy bear. His tummy is rotund and provides a great sitting posture. Japan moved into the battery operated toys in the 1950s, and away from mohair. These were acrylic, but many were based on teddy bears. They also did the “ Penny Bear”, during this era, offered in a plastic bag, with wire jointing. Value for your not commonly seen Japan bear would be $200.00.
Brenda

Hi Terry,
What an unusual curly teddy with extra long arms and legs! He is an artist teddy, with an inset muzzle and small side ears and a homespun feel with the checkered neck scarf and bean shaped body. While his head is non jointed, the arms and legs seem to move, with string joints. He has an antique linen herb label sewn onto his tummy..most likely his name- “Butternut”! It comes from New Lebanon, NY, where a Shaker Society was established in the late 1700s to honor their beliefs and way for living. We have a similar notable Shaker Museum here In Cleveland..honoring the simple life. Shaker furniture was and is still very admired. Minimal was a theme, and organization a key to living. The hand crafted teddy seems to appeal to all with his nutmeg type fabric, simple horizontal stitched nose and shoe button eyes placed high on his forehead. He is a nubby bear with a relic of the Shaker Society attached! The label itself could sell for $25.00, original linen! The teddy is an original design too, perhaps with the Shaker simplistic style. His value would be $45.00, increasing the total value to $70.00. Love his provenance!
Brenda

Kind regards,
Stephanie

Hi Stephanie,
Your large very sweet teddy has many attributes of an artist bear. The mohair is long and full, with a bit of shaving of the muzzle to concentrate on the meticulous vertical cord nose. What really drew attention was the placement of the ears on the side of the head. Carol Black from CA was most known for this characteristic. The arms are very long, another similar trait to the original bears. The body is modest, with the arms and legs being the most notable for length. There is a slight hump on the back, not as strong as some other bears. The pads seem to be the reverse of the mohair, with mere backing. I would assume it is stuffed with poly fill, or perhaps the new alternative to excelsior. It is in mint condition. I would date “Goldie” to the 1980s as a contemporary artist bear. The very first bears, mostly American ones, had side set ears as well, and as time advanced, so did the position of the ears end of higher on the head. There are no claws on the paws. At 23” teddy would be valued at $200.00.
Brenda

Dear Brenda,
I wonder if my 'bare' bear is

a Berlex. He is 50cm tall with a soft fill body apart from his wood wool filled head. No neck joint, but limbs jointed. He has a long muzzle, ears stitched in to the sides of his head. Amber/black glass eyes. No stitching on nose and mouth, which is why I'm sending him for evaluation.
I want to put the right shapes when i repair him. Small mark behind left ear. He has a footy shaped body, curved paws with vinyl contrasting fabric pads, curved ankles and big feet. Non-working growler.
Thanks, Kris

Hi Kris,
This mohair 20” teddy could definitely be Berlex…but we are missing the characteristic triangular stitched vertical nose! If you were going to restore him, this would be first the specific repair to grant him his identity. There is a slight downward stroke at the bottom of the triangle, forming into the mouth.
He is a chubby bear, like most Berlex examples, and dates to the 1930s. They were formed in 1930, with manufacturing in Melbourne, Victoria. They maintained production until the 1970s. Known for the vinyl pads, the foot pads were slightly pointed and no claws. The eyes were glass, with clear or red.
We can see the hand closing seam was located in the back. The tag of a Berlex bear would be red printing on a white cloth tag, reading Berlex, Melbourne. Later bears were kapok and synthetic fur. His neck is stiff, no jointing. A restored teddy in this realm would be valued at $275.00.
Brenda

Greetings Brenda

45cm tall, FADAP has soft fill, and a growler, covered with sparse mohair. His paws were a wreck and I fixed those and covered them in a contrasting colour felt. He has glass clear/black eyes, with a vertically handstitched nose, on his long snout, downward Y mouth and large cupped ears on the sides of his head. He has black/amber glass eyes, He is fully jointed, with straight arms with large paws, each of which has five claws.and shaped ankles.
Thank you
Kris in Australia

Hi Kris,
Your very sparse teddy done in the French manner of FADAP, is still surviving after his hair loss! The firm was instituted in 1920, in the Divonneles- Bains, France with offices in Paris. They created many toys until the 1970s. At 17”, this stoic example has the upturned long muzzle, clear glass eyes and the typical downturned mouth with a seemingly large stitched nose. The pads were recovered very well, as they were known to offer this contrasting color as well. Large cupped ears date him to the 1930s. Usually they had four claws. His stuffing appears to be original excelsior. The hand closed back seam is intact, and not adjusted. Even with the loss of fur, his stature has a well loved appeal. If he and all his fur, the value would be greater, but as he is, the value is $200.00.
Brenda

Hi Brenda, here's another bear for  your eyes.

Metal Nose. Standing at 50cm+, his wood wool filling is covered by sparse mohair. He has black/amber glass eyes and a moulded metal nose with a downward Y mouth. Metal is fully jointed, with straight arms and shaped ankles. His vinyl paw pads have 3 claws on each. He has cupped ears on the side of his head.

Kris in Australia

Hi Kris,
This 20” teddy with the expressive formed nose appears to be from Australia, from Lindee Toys, dating to the 1960s. The ears are sewn into the head seam, and cupped. Although most of the Lindee foot pads had pointed toes, yours seems to have the contrasting white vinyl in a round pattern. First established in 1944, by 1969, they won the “Toy of the year” award. Closing in the 1976, this firm had a rather short production life. Located in Sydney, they also made dolls, and bears on wheels. His arms are straight while the feet have formed ankles pointed upward, with the claws. His amber glass eyes are quite expressive. His fur is mohair with slight areas of wear. His back has the hand closing seam, which appears to have been adjusted. He is valve way jointed. Value would be $225.00.
Brenda

Another for you Brenda,

Boof Head is 60cm tall, has soft fill covered with mohair(?), with no bald patches. He has vinyl paws in a contrasting colour. Boof's neck and arms are jointed, but he had 'flap legs' with no joints, which help him to sit. He has plastic brown/black eyes, with a vertically handstitched nose, a downward Y mouth and small flat ears on the sides of his head. Metal has black/amber glass eyes, a moulded metal nose with a downward Y mouth. He is fully jointed, with straight arms and shaped ankles with vinyl pads. Each paw has three claws. He has cupped ears on the side of his head.
Kris - in Australia

Hi Kris,
Love this bears name…adorable guy! He is large sized teddy at 23+Inches. The center seam down the face affords him that special grace. He most resembles the English firm of Chad Valley, dating to the 1950s. The straight arms and shoulder free, give the non jointed legs a nice sitting position. He has a slight downward smile under the vertically stitched large nose. Chad Valley had very broad nose stitching. The pads are brown as many were, and over stitched unto the fur. Many times these were rexine. The eyes are plastic as you state, and the fur may even be wool. The small side ears give him a very innocent look. Chad Valley first made bears around 1915, after the war efforts banned German imports. They carried forward and again had a slight change with the second WW..shifting to children’s clothes. Value for your Boof would be $250.00.
Brenda