Lexi Webster
Margarete Steiff GmbH is a German manufacturer of stuffed toys, best known for its teddy bears which are collectors' items. The company was founded by Margarete Steiff in 1893, and the iconic button in ear tag was devised in 1904 by Margarete's nephew Franz to distinguish authentic Steiff toys from counterfeits. While the company's headquarters and factory are in Germany, some Steiff bears were made in Austria, including the 1996 Austrian Bear, the 1997 Austrian Twin Bears, and the 1977 Panda Bear.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1968-1972, 1995, 1996, 1997 |
| Material | 51% wool and 49% cotton, mohair |
| Size | 4.33" (11 cm), 8 1/2" (21 cm), 12 1/2" (32 cm), 24" |
| Features | Bendable/flexible limbs, squeaker, jointed |
| Edition | Limited, numbered |
| Packaging | Original box, brown outer carton, certificate of authenticity |
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What You'll Learn
Steiff was founded by Margarete Steiff in 1893
Margarete Steiff was born on July 24, 1847, in Giengen an der Brenz. At 18 months old, she contracted polio and faced severe limitations as a result. Despite these challenges, she fought for her place in life and took the first steps towards self-employment by founding a felt clothing shop. She successfully sold self-made garments and household articles and soon employed several seamstresses.
Margarete's creativity and determination laid the foundation for Steiff's success. The company's iconic "button in ear" trademark, devised in 1904, set Steiff apart and became a symbol of authenticity. The button, originally featuring an elephant, was designed by Margarete's nephew, Franz, to distinguish genuine Steiff toys from counterfeits. This trademark is still in use today, protecting the brand from imitations.
Richard Steiff, Margarete's favourite creative nephew, played a pivotal role in the company. He joined Steiff after attending the School of Applied Arts in Stuttgart and studying in England. Richard's animal sketches formed the basis for numerous Steiff creations, including the world's first plush bear with movable arms and legs, the "Bear 55 PB." This bear, nicknamed "Teddy" after American President Theodore Roosevelt, became an immense success and cemented Steiff's legacy in the toy industry.
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The company's trademark is the button in ear tag
The Steiff company was founded by Margarete Steiff, who was born in 1847. She contracted polio at 18 months old but fought for her place in life despite her severe limitations. She founded a felt clothing shop and sold self-made garments and household articles. She soon employed several seamstresses. The official founding date of the Steiff manufactory began when Margarete saw a pattern for a small fabric elephant in a fashion journal. She sewed the "Elefäntle" and what was intended to be a pincushion soon became a popular children's toy. The first Steiff catalogue showcased not only elephants but also monkeys, donkeys, horses, camels, pigs, mice, dogs, cats, rabbits, and giraffes.
Margarete's nephew, Richard Steiff, joined the company after attending the School of Applied Arts in Stuttgart and studying in England. His animal sketches formed the basis for many Steiff toys, including the world's first plush bear with movable arms and legs, the "Bear 55 PB". Richard also found the perfect material for the bears—cuddly mohair plush produced by the Schulte pile weaving mill in Duisburg.
In 1904, Margarete's other nephew, Franz Steiff, devised the iconic "button in ear" tag to prevent counterfeits from being passed off as authentic Steiff toys. The button is made of metal and initially featured an elephant design, which was later replaced by the "Steiff" lettering. This trademark is still used today to distinguish authentic Steiff toys from fakes. The "button in ear" trademark has become a symbol of excellence and authenticity, turning the brand into a legend. The yellow Steiff ear tag with red lettering is well-known and signifies the high standards and quality of the many Steiff animals and teddy bears.
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Steiff partnered with Disney in 1931
The Steiff company was founded in 1880 by Margarete Steiff, a German seamstress. She began by making fabric elephants intended to be pincushions, but soon, children began playing with them, and Margarete went on to design many other animal-themed toys. In 1893, she founded the Margarete Steiff felt goods factory in Giengen, Germany, and by 1895, her products were being sold outside of Germany at Harrods in London, England.
In 1931, Steiff partnered with Disney to manufacture well-known Disney characters, marking the first cooperation between the two companies. This partnership began with Steiff creating the famous Mickey Mouse character in velvet, dressed in yellow gloves and red shorts. 30,000 of these toys were sold quickly, and the following year, Minnie Mouse joined the range. This collaboration was the start of a long partnership that continues to this day, with Steiff producing over 100 Disney items, including numerous variations of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, as well as characters from different Disney eras, such as Winnie the Pooh.
Steiff has a long history of innovation and adapting to changing times. During the war and post-war years, they introduced the "paper teddy bear" and toys made from domestic woods due to the scarcity of materials. In 1925, they started using assembly line production to keep up with high demand, and by the 1960s, they were the largest stuffed toy maker in the world.
The company has always prioritised quality and innovation, with their motto, styled by Margarete Steiff, being, "Only the best is good enough for children". They are known for their meticulous testing and inspection processes, ensuring that their products are highly flame-resistant and durable.
Steiff's impact on the toy industry is undeniable, and their partnership with Disney in 1931 was a significant milestone in their history, leading to the creation of beloved characters that have brought joy to children and collectors worldwide.
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The company's founder, Margarete Steiff, was born in 1847 and overcame polio as a child
The founder of the Steiff company, Margarete Steiff, was born on 24 July 1847 in Giengen an der Brenz, a small town in southern Germany. At just 18 months old, Steiff contracted polio, which left her paralysed except for her left hand and arm. Despite the severe limitations imposed by the disease, Steiff was determined to forge a path for herself. She enrolled in a local sewing school, where she excelled at needlework. In 1872, she opened a dressmaking business, which grew successful enough that she was able to open a factory in 1877.
Steiff had always made toy cloth elephants and pincushions for friends, but in 1879, she added fluffy material to an elephant from a pattern she saw in the fashion magazine Modenwelt. These stuffed animals soon became popular children's toys, and the first Steiff catalogue was published, featuring not only elephants but also monkeys, donkeys, horses, camels, pigs, mice, dogs, cats, rabbits, and giraffes. In 1893, the Margarete Steiff felt goods factory was officially founded and her toys were presented for the first time at the Leipzig Toy Fair.
Steiff's nephew Richard joined the company in the 1890s and designed the "'Bear 55 PB", the world's first plush bear with movable arms and legs. The original Steiff bear was made with cuddly mohair plush. An American buyer recognised the potential of the bear as a children's toy, and in 1906, he bought 3,000 of them to be marketed in the United States as "Teddy Bears", named after President Theodore Roosevelt. The Steiff bear became a sales success in the US, and the company continued to expand. By the 1960s, Steiff was known as the largest stuffed toy maker in the world.
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Steiff bears are cheaper in Europe than in the US
Steiff teddy bears are iconic and highly sought-after, with a rich history dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The company was founded by Margarete Steiff, who, despite battling polio from a young age, established a successful felt clothing business. The Steiff bear, as it later became known, was born when Margarete's nephew, Richard Steiff, designed the "Bear 55 PB", the world's first plush bear with movable arms and legs. The Steiff bear rose to prominence due to its association with American President Theodore Roosevelt, who refused to shoot a tied-up bear during a hunting trip. This act of compassion earned him the nickname "Teddy," which became synonymous with the Steiff bear.
Over the years, Steiff bears have become prized collectibles, with certain models fetching astronomical sums at auctions. The immense popularity and perceived value of these bears naturally lead to the question of price differentials, particularly between Europe and the United States.
While it is challenging to make a direct comparison due to various factors influencing pricing, there are indications that Steiff bears may indeed be cheaper in Europe. For instance, a person travelling through Germany, Austria, and other European countries inquired about the price variation in different locations. They noted that the prices seemed consistent throughout Europe, and the bears were less expensive in Germany than in the FAO Schwarz catalog they had seen. This observation suggests that Steiff bears could be more affordable in Europe than in the US, where the FAO Schwarz store is based.
However, it is worth noting that taxes can play a role in the final price. As the person in Europe mentioned, it might be best to buy a Steiff bear in one's home country, especially if that country is within the EU, due to potential tax advantages. Nonetheless, the general consensus seems to be that Steiff bears are priced consistently across Europe, and they do not exhibit the same level of price variation as one might expect when comparing prices between Europe and the US.
In conclusion, while it is challenging to make a definitive statement due to the dynamic nature of pricing and the potential influence of taxes, there is anecdotal evidence suggesting that Steiff bears could be more affordable in Europe than in the United States. The consistency in pricing across Europe, as observed by travellers, indicates that the primary price differential might lie between the European and US markets rather than between individual European countries.
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Frequently asked questions
Steiff started making toys in Austria in 1995 with the father bear, followed by the mother bear in 1996, and two children twin bears in 1997.
The first toy Steiff made in Austria was the father bear in 1995.
The second toy Steiff made in Austria was the mother bear in 1996.
The third toy Steiff made in Austria was the two children twin bears in 1997.
