Teddy bears are endearing toys which have been around for generations. People who collect antique teddy bears are sure to find what they are looking for either online, or at an antique fair or dealer. When buying these charming toys, it's helpful to know how to find a genuine product for one's money and also how to properly care for them.
One can tell a bear's age by its appearance and construction. The first teddies were made to closely resemble real bears. They usually have longer and more curved limbs, a hump between their shoulders, wider hips, and a longer snout. The eyes are most often made of boot buttons or glass instead of plastic too. The fur was usually mohair and stuffed with wood shaving, kapok, or wool, and the body may have a hand-stitched seam.
It's advisable to obtain a reference guide that highlights key features to note. Certain manufacturers and time periods have trademark characteristics which make it easy to identify their bears. These guides also give expected price ranges for specific toys, but sometimes these are on the high-end and it is still possible to purchase the same teddy for a lower price.
It's realistic for a bear to have been repaired at some time and this doesn't have to have a negative effect on its value. Although toys in pristine condition will typically sell for more, one can still get a good price for a repaired toy in otherwise reasonable shape. Many dealers will do this to attempt to restore the toy to its original glory.
The internet has become a teddy mecca, with an enormous assortment to choose from. One must realize that there are some so-called "antique" bears being sold which are in fact newer ones that are being made to look old and priced as though they were. While their features may resemble early designs, they are normally made of plush rather than mohair, which may be "aged" to look worn out.
There are also some toys manufactured as true replicas of early ones, but they are then altered by dishonest sellers who try to make them appear genuinely old and mark up their prices accordingly. Some people recommend smelling a bear to see if it has an "old scent" to it, but this does not always help as many dealers clean the bears they sell which effectively eliminates any odor.
Old, delicate teddies need to be handled by their torsos, not their limbs as to avoid damaging their fragile joints. They must also be kept out of the reach of children and pets. Over-handling is not advisable, as the oils in human skin can damage fur.
Since they are made from fabric, antique teddy bears may attract moths, but this problem can be curtailed by placing them in the freezer overnight. Cleaning needs to be done with caution. The fur can be lightly vacuumed first to remove dust and then sponged gently all over with soap flakes or fabric wash dissolved in water. Any remaining dampness needs to be blotted up using paper towel, then leave the toy to dry and brush its fur with a clean brush.
One can tell a bear's age by its appearance and construction. The first teddies were made to closely resemble real bears. They usually have longer and more curved limbs, a hump between their shoulders, wider hips, and a longer snout. The eyes are most often made of boot buttons or glass instead of plastic too. The fur was usually mohair and stuffed with wood shaving, kapok, or wool, and the body may have a hand-stitched seam.
It's advisable to obtain a reference guide that highlights key features to note. Certain manufacturers and time periods have trademark characteristics which make it easy to identify their bears. These guides also give expected price ranges for specific toys, but sometimes these are on the high-end and it is still possible to purchase the same teddy for a lower price.
It's realistic for a bear to have been repaired at some time and this doesn't have to have a negative effect on its value. Although toys in pristine condition will typically sell for more, one can still get a good price for a repaired toy in otherwise reasonable shape. Many dealers will do this to attempt to restore the toy to its original glory.
The internet has become a teddy mecca, with an enormous assortment to choose from. One must realize that there are some so-called "antique" bears being sold which are in fact newer ones that are being made to look old and priced as though they were. While their features may resemble early designs, they are normally made of plush rather than mohair, which may be "aged" to look worn out.
There are also some toys manufactured as true replicas of early ones, but they are then altered by dishonest sellers who try to make them appear genuinely old and mark up their prices accordingly. Some people recommend smelling a bear to see if it has an "old scent" to it, but this does not always help as many dealers clean the bears they sell which effectively eliminates any odor.
Old, delicate teddies need to be handled by their torsos, not their limbs as to avoid damaging their fragile joints. They must also be kept out of the reach of children and pets. Over-handling is not advisable, as the oils in human skin can damage fur.
Since they are made from fabric, antique teddy bears may attract moths, but this problem can be curtailed by placing them in the freezer overnight. Cleaning needs to be done with caution. The fur can be lightly vacuumed first to remove dust and then sponged gently all over with soap flakes or fabric wash dissolved in water. Any remaining dampness needs to be blotted up using paper towel, then leave the toy to dry and brush its fur with a clean brush.
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