Featured Massive Steiff Teddy Bear 44"

Hello,

I'm wondering if there are any Steiff experts out there that could help me out with this one... I'm a dealer, and I recently acquired this massive mohair teddy bear that measures 44" inches tall, and after doing some research I feel pretty good about it being Steiff, but I'm not 100% sure because it is so unusual, and I can't find another one of this size anywhere!

It definitely has some age to it, and it was wearing a 1970's or 80's vest when I got it. It came out of a large collector's estate, who had many Steiff mohair bears, and an impressive antique porcelain doll collection.

Does anyone know if Steiff made huge bears like this? I found a couple bears that were about 36" inches tall, but nothing over 40" inches. Any idea how old it might be, or are there any features like the eyes that could help date it?

Any thoughts or info would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Eric

 

cool looking bear Eric I think @Aquitaine knows about Steiff bears, maybe she will be able to help you out

 

one would expect to see an ear tag...or remnant of........

 

and if that isn't some kids dream bear.......I don't know what is ??????

 

http://mysteifflife.blogspot.com/2010/01/

feet don't lay flat......I think the mouth is wrong too....

 

I was researching my bear last year, several decades old ( chad valley ) and must admit google did the business !

the eyes can be changed so not really a guide.the only steiff marker is the hump on the neck but possibly used by others

I also remember finding that a lot of german bears had long snouts ! ( steiff were not the only makers )

He's in an amazing condition so I wouldn't think that old

a bit of steiff history for any interested https://www.teddybears.live/accurately-dating-vintage-steiff-bears/

 

an extract from Komokwas post


just to confirm the size has existed in the past

quote : Old Teds, like older men and women, tend to "compress" a little over time.

 

there is also a Steiff museum but it seems like an amazing commercial bandwagon !!
tou could always try ...if it really is an incredibly rare tall Steiff they wil probably answer


https://corporate.steiff.com/en/museum/


I reckon for a shop or expo, whoever made it ...

 

Agree, even if the tag is gone, you can only remove the "Knopf im Ohr" or "button in the ear" by damaging the ear. Believe, I tried it on my Steiff bear when I was a toddler.

I must say, nothing about this impressive bear strikes me as Steiff.

 

Wow, thank you all very much for all the help! So glad you found that blog Komokwa, that is exactly the info I was looking for! I think it may actually be one of the rare large sized like that post, and it makes sense that it would have been in a store window. It's exactly the size that they were made to be, 115cm or 44" inches, I think mine is just a bit more sturdy and in better condition. You would think it would have a lot more wear to it, but it's so big and surprisingly heavy that people aren't going to be picking it up all the time, it will just be sitting somewhere. Considering the collection it came from, it very well could be one of them, so I will take Matahari's advice and contact the Steiff museum and see what they think (thanks for the resource!). There's also a hole in the ear, so it must have lost the tag.

Here's some more pictures for anyone interested. The face looks better from the front, and one leg has some wear and discoloration.

 

they did remark that some of this size were special order...... so...keep looking and report back what the museum says !!!!

 

Seems you might email Steiffgal at Steifflife@gmail.com with your question