Steiff’s rare bears from the 1950’s and 1960’s

Rare bear collector, Rebekah Kaufman, talks about some of the highlights of her Steiff bear collection.

Rare Steiff bear

The history of Steiff bears

Steiff has been the preeminent designer and manufacturer of handmade Teddy bears, animals, and dolls since the turn of the last century.  For over 100 years, people around the world have recognized the quality, craftsmanship, and appeal of these charming characters from Giengen, a little town in southern Germany located right on the Brenz River.  With such a long history of production, collectors have almost endless options when it comes to their favorite item.  From bears, dogs, and rabbits, to items from a specific decade or made from a certain material… the areas of specialization can go on and on.

One particular period of great interest to me, as a collector, is the 1950’s and early 1960’s; specifically the bears – but not the “classic” Teddy bears – produced during those two decades.  In terms of the company’s history, this was a most fertile and creative time. The company was just about back on its feet after the war, its global distribution infrastructure was improving, and collectors and enthusiasts were demanding – and purchasing – playful and innovative new items.   Here are a few of my favorite bears from this time frame and what makes them so special from a collector’s perspective.

Steiff's 28 cm Zooby bear from 1964-1966

Post WWII bears

Here we have one of the hardest to find and most desirable post WWll Steiff bears produced.  His name is Zooby Zoo Bear; he is 28 cm and head and arm jointed. He is made from tan mohair and has brown mohair feet. Zooby has brown and black pupil eyes, a shorter mohair muzzle, a brown embroidered nose, and an open, peach felt-lined mouth. His claws are made from white felt. He is self-standing and the soles of his feet are made from a brown leather-like material. Zooby was only made in 1964 and 1966. From a historical perspective, Zooby’s design is based somewhat on Steiff’s pre-war Zirkus-Baer or Circus Bear, a 32 cm standing bear produced from 1935 through 1939.

Our next rare bear is called Zotty Zolac. He is five ways jointed and 40 cm tall, with his legs claiming about half that height! Zolac’s head and body are made from shaggy caramel tipped mohair, while his feet, hands, and bib are detailed with apricot colored mohair. He has an open felt lined mouth, brown pupil eyes, and a hand stitched nose. Zolac is the hybrid of two very well know Steiff legacy designs – the shaggy “Zotty” bear pattern introduced in 1951, and the “Lulac” style introduced in 1952.  Zolac was only made from 1964 through 1966.

Steiff Koala Bear 1955-1961

Steiff animals

Another rare collectible from this period is the Steiff Koala Bear, which is 35 cm and made from tan and light tan mohair. He is five ways jointed and has mohair hands and feet that feature detailed individual digits. His chubby legs curve outward, and he almost looks to be in a yoga position as he sits. His face is detailed with black and brown pupil eyes, an open, felt lined mouth, and an inlaid grey felt nose. This pattern was made in 12cm, 22cm, and 35 cm from 1955 to 1961. The smallest one is somewhat common, but the 22cm and 35 cm versions are considered quite rare and desirable from the collector’s perspective.  This was the first koala bear ever produced by Steiff.

Our last “baby boomer” bear is this sweet standing Steiff panda. He is 12 cm, with a jointed head made from black and white mohair. He has peach coloured, felt feet, and his baby face is detailed with black and brown pupiled eyes and a black hand embroidered nose and m

outh. He wears a red leather collar with the original little brass bell that came with him. Ever since their debut in the line in 1938, Pandas have always been a collector’s favorite.  This particular standing design is based on the updated, five ways jointed postwar design that debuted in 1951. He was produced from 1955 through 1958 only and is considered quite rare from the collector’s perspective.

How much are Steiff bears worth?

Rare post-WWII Steiff Panda

It’s important to remember that many factors go into valuing Steiff collectibles; these include materials, condition, age, period, method of production, and original length of time in which the line was amde.  Given that, assuming very good to excellent condition, with at least one form of Steiff ID, the items discussed and pictured above value as follows:

• Zooby bears can value in the £150 to £360 range ($250-$600);
• Zolac bears can value in the £180 to £420 range (300-700);
• Koala bears, depending on size, can value in the £90 to £480 range ($150-800) and
• Standing pandas can value in the £90 to £240 range ($150-$400).

Rebekah Kaufman