Featured Teddy Bear Identification

Hi All,

Can anyone identify the maker and age of this old bear? It's got an excelsior body, mohair fur, glass eyes and is fully jointed. Approximately 30 inches tall.

Thanks so much!

 

Right off the bat, I would suggest to look carefully in IT'S LEFT ear to see if there's a brass button that says STEIFF.....I'm leaning towards it's probably not, but I've been wrong before.....maybe it's just your first picture, but the RIGHT arm looks smaller than the left, would probably mean someone might have replaced it?? If you don't have any luck here, I would suggest contacting https://www.mysteifflife.com, She goes by 'steiffgal'.....she's a specialist in all things STEIFF and has sold a couple of my own Steiff items!! Best of luck with it!

 

Long arms suggest earlier.

 

He's old for certain. That nose looks wonky, like it's been redone after the original fell apart.

 

Great Teddy knowledge-wonder if Teddies are still one of the highlights of the antique world,Steiff's being the apex (least to us non-teddy boys).

 

Thanks for the 'steiffgal' recommendation. I emailed her, so hoping she'll reply. There's no tag in the ear (that I was already aware of regarding Steiffs). The arms are the same size, it's just the photo angle.

 

Not the quality of Steiff, and the arms aren't long enough.

Agree with Evelyn on the nose...........

If it is the original nose, it could be home made (meaning the whole bear).

 

Doubtful he's homebrew; that mohair fur wasn't easy to get even then. The nose though... I can see an original rubber one falling apart or falling off, and someone's Grandma sewing him a new nose.

 

Received a reply today from Steiffgal. Her assessment is that it's turn-of-the-century British, which from my own research seems quite consistent. Thanks everyone for your feedback and have a wonderful Thanksgiving if you celebrate it!

 

Who's up for a Teddy Bears Picnic ?

 

...Merrythought????? (dredged from the depths)

 

Is Your old Teddy a family piece ?

 

It was an estate find.

 

Hm. My own bear is Merrtythought, but later. His arms aren't the same but the fact does look like a Brit bear,