Steiff teddy bears hold the record for
being the oldest in existence. They're iconic and a pioneer. After all, the
more than a century old German brand was the first to ever release the design
in 1904 and ever since these cuddly wonders have been nothing short of a
groundbreaking success releasing not just its traditional set of designs but
even churning out limited edition pieces that always make the market squeal
with excitement.
It is also because of these that more and
more people have found themselves collecting these teddy bears, amassing them
into a pile of not just sentimental but also historically and financially
valuable collections.
If you're interested in starting one or are
planning to grow your stash, we've collected the following tips to guide you
along. Read up and make sure to take some notes!
1. Know a bit of history. Well, at the very
least. - With over a century's worth of these toys, it may seem overwhelming
for a certified newbie so researching is pretty crucial. Not to worry though
since there's a lot of resources on the internet plus you'd be surprised how
these teddy bears have quite a colorful and interesting one!
2. Identify what you like. - Steiff teddy
bears all share a common denominator which is quality. The brand has been known
for this for years. How else do you think the oldest collectibles managed to
survive all these decades? So with so many options, knowing what you want is
necessary so you don't end up feeling confused in a sea of choices.
3. Learn how to authenticate. - Replicas
and fakes abound. Not surprising since Steiff products are very covetable and
promising so do know how to identify the real ones from the fakes. The button
in ear and fabric tags are a start.
4. Invest in the right storage. - A
collection needs to be well maintained and taken care of and one of the aspects
to that is proper and adequate storage. Invest in them and don't skimp on
quality.
5. Prep that pocket. - Steiff teddy bears
range from affordable to crazy expensive so depending on your budget and how
much you are willing to spend, there's bound to be a toy for you. Additionally,
collecting them means also investing in storage and maintenance so having a
budget for this hobby is a must.
