Taking Your Collection To The Next Level
By Ken Yenke
Columnist, Author and Authoritarian on Antiques
 
Paul Buckethal holds photos that help document the age of his teddy bear.
Ken talks to the bear before offering an appraisal.

In the world of antiques I am classified as a "generalist," and as such field questions on all types of items in the weekly antiques column I write called "Yenke Peddler." (Sun@sunnews.com) But Brenda and I have the greatest fondness for teddy bears and the vast array of items related to them.

 Years ago while visiting the Smithsonian I noticed a plaque which highlighted an excerpt from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson to John Adams in 1815. " A morsel of genuine history is so rare, as to be a treasure forever." There is an intrinsic value to nearly everything
that has weathered the passing of time, but if it remains in great
condition and is accompanied by its history, it will indeed be a
treasure forever.
Inge Boruchi holds photos of her as a little girl with her beloved teddy bear. Ken writes an official appraisal.

Click on the book to order.
   

In the toy world, specifically in the plush world of teddy bears, the
most valued ones are those with unique photos which help tell the more
about teddy's life. Whether you have any antiques bears or furniture

(100 years or older), or vintage items (50 years or older), or current collectibles, they all will mean more to you and their future caretakers when accompanied by a well documented history.

Try to keep whatever you love in the same condition that it was in when you found it. Store all tags and receipts and remember to take good photographs of you and your siblings with teddy bears. Remember that provenance begins with documented history, even if that means beginning today!


Ken Yenke
Contributing Writer
Brenda and Ken, both enjoy collecting teddy bears and traveling to shows, sharing their knowledge.
     


Two little girls in 1905 share

their love for teddy bears.



1908 Steiff bear held by a real sweetheart.

A 1910 Steiff teddy is rocked to sleep by a precious little owner.

Ken and Brenda investigate a German dog on wheels, brought to them during the Ann Arbor Teddy Bear Show for an appraisal.

 

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