Any Steiff collectors / interest out there?

[Steiffgal]

Will also post a picture I have a very cute little blue steiff mouse if I can find him (hope one of my precious puppies did not find him!!!!)

Cool, I am trying to picture a Steiff blue mouse.  Nothing comes to mind.  You might just stump the chump here!   

[talesofthesevenseas]

OK here is my "Kitty Puppet". (Sorry, I was not terribly creative naming my toys when I was four!) She is pictured here with Peep, who is a professional Steiff look-alike, model, and Beverly Hills socialite. My God the resemblance is astounding!!!!



Here's the photo you really need, showing condition and such:

[wendy177]

Tales she looks as if she was well loved!! priceless

[Steiffgal]

Tales she looks as if she was well loved!! priceless

Oh, she is totally lovely.  Can't see her button so impossible to give you her approximate birth date.  However, I have seen similar Steiff cat puppets in like condition sell in the $30-50 range overall.

[talesofthesevenseas]

There is no button, I probably took it off as a kid. But I know it was given to me in about 1965 and it was new then, so there's no question about the date, give or take a year. I don't think the colors were ever as bright as on the example in Steiffgal's post. I think the white was always more of a cream color. It's not dirty, but it could have yellowed/faded with age.

The one I saw priced at $135 was in the same kind of condition, but this was in a retail antique store, so I think a lot of that price is retail mark-up and pre-economic crash pricing. Probably would be good for an insurance value. Steiffgals estimate is probably right-on if for Ebay or collectors I would think.

[Steiffgal]

There is no button, I probably took it off as a kid. But I know it was given to me in about 1965 and it was new then, so there's no question about the date, give or take a year. I don't think the colors were ever as bright as on the example in Steiffgal's post. I think the white was always more of a cream color. It's not dirty, but it could have yellowed/faded with age.

The one I saw priced at $135 was in the same kind of condition, but this was in a retail antique store, so I think a lot of that price is retail mark-up and pre-economic crash pricing. Probably would be good for an insurance value. Steiffgals estimate is probably right-on if for Ebay or collectors I would think.

Yes the recession has taken a HUGE chunk out of the value of Steiff collectibles, at least that's what I have observed.  I just purchased something at auction that 5 years ago would have gone for $1200 go for $200 last month.  Really bad for sellers, great for collectors in the short run.

[Steiffgal]

Here's a blog post on an entire Steiff collection.  Take a look if you can!

It's all in the family! Check out this column I just posted about a collection of Steiff collectibles that spans three generations.
http://mysteifflife.blogspot.com/2009/09/three-generations-of-steiff.html

Steiffgal spills the beans about the best way to shop for vintage Steiff items.  Check it out at http://mysteifflife.blogspot.com/2009/09/hunting-tips-for-steiff-gatherers.html

[Steiffgal]

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.  Check out this recession-inspired blog post on unique Steiff eye treatments! http://mysteifflife.blogspot.com/2009/09/eyes-have-it.html

[Steiffgal]

You should look so good at 104 years old.  Check out this blog post on a unusual center-seamed Steiff Teddy born long before you. http://mysteifflife.blogspot.com/2009/09/keeping-things-centered-with-steiff.html

[ironlord1963]

     Thanks Steiff, you now have me looking through the stuffed animals at the thrift shop, fighting little kids over a bear just to see the tag  .  Wasn't enough fighting the ladies for teacup, Guys and their silverplate, now I get to tangle with the kids too.  I must be a sight to watch at the thrift shops. 

[Steiffgal]

     Thanks Steiff, you now have me looking through the stuffed animals at the thrift shop, fighting little kids over a bear just to see the tag  .  Wasn't enough fighting the ladies for teacup, Guys and their silverplate, now I get to tangle with the kids too.  I must be a sight to watch at the thrift shops. 

Well you never know!  Steiff is worth the good fight. LOL

[talesofthesevenseas]

Hey Steiffgal,

A collection of Steiff animals just came up on our local Craigslist. Thought of you right away! I don't know if any of them are ones you are interested in, but I thought it might be worth dropping this guy an email or a phone call to see how much he's got. The collection belonged to his mum and includes some mohair animals.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/atq/1380128058.html

[Steiffgal]

Hey Steiffgal,

A collection of Steiff animals just came up on our local Craigslist. Thought of you right away! I don't know if any of them are ones you are interested in, but I thought it might be worth dropping this guy an email or a phone call to see how much he's got. The collection belonged to his mum and includes some mohair animals.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/atq/1380128058.html

Thank you!  You are incredibly nice for thinking of me, most appreciate it.  Most of these are pretty modern... I tend to focus on the early post WW2 stuff.  So I will take a pass, but again, BIG thanks for the heads up!

[Steiffgal]

New blog post up!  Let's step into the ring and talk about boxers, vintage Steiff boxer dogs, that is. Check it out at http://mysteifflife.blogspot.com/2009/09/stepping-into-ring-with-steiff-boxers.html

[Steiffgal]

A full Steiff report from Oktoberfest in Munich! http://mysteifflife.blogspot.com/2009/09/somethings-bruin-at-oktoberfest.html