How To Identify Collectible Teddy Bears
by Camille Nicholson
It was a cartoon of Theodore Roosevelt and a bear that inspired the creation of the first teddy bears in America. These were made by the wife of shopkeeper, Morris Michtom and displayed in the window of their shop together with the cartoon. These teddies with their jointed bodies and beady eyes are still highly desired today by collectors. Collectible teddy bears may be both antique and modern. The price tags vary considerably with the oldest ones fetching very high prices.
These first teddies looked quite different from their modern counterparts. They had beady boot button eyes, long snouts and humped backs. Their limbs were longer than those of today and were joined onto the body with metal joints.
World War Two obviously affected the production of bears and after the war, the traditional teddies were joined by many new designs, including a bear without joints which was fully washable. This bear looked more like the one we are familiar with today. As new items appeared rapidly on the market, some people began to seek out the older bears with traditional designs. Manufacturers took note of this interest and began to make products which would attract collectors.
If you are interested in starting a collection, it is vital to know something about the history of teddies. There are many fakes which are made to look old and worn. You need to be able to distinguish the difference between what is fake and a genuine antique. For example, it is important to know what materials were used during different periods to help determine age. The earliest teddies were stuffed with wood wool and covered with mohair. Their pads were made of cotton or felt. Later velvet and fake leather were used for the pads and they were stuffed with foam.
One of the easiest ways to find out who made your bear is to look at the label. Even if only a fragment remains, it can still be compared with those shown in books. The label can even give an idea of the date when it was made as manufacturers changed labels quite often throughout their history. Steiff bears have a small metal button sewn into the left ear for identification.
The eyes of the first teddies were made from black boot buttons which gave them a beady look. These buttons were replaced by glass eyes at a later stage which gave them a more friendly appearance. Eyes today are often made from plastic.
The snouts of the earliest teddies were much longer than they are today. Their backs were humped and the arms were long. They had five joints attaching the various limbs and the head to the body. Later, a washable bear without joints came onto the market which looked more like the teddies we know today.
Discovering the provenance of a bear involves a process. This begins with the condition and features of a particular bear carefully. Reading books, researching online, visiting museums and attending auctions can all help you to establish the provenance of a bear. You will soon learn to pick out <A href="http://www.jpsbears.com">collectible teddy bears</A>.
For a great selection of collectible teddy bears, click this link to <a href="http://www.jpsbears.com">www.jpsbears.com</a>. You will find a bear for each state and many other choices, once you visit our main site at http://www.jpsbears.com today.
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New Unique Article!
Title: How To Identify Collectible Teddy Bears
Author: Camille Nicholson
Email: nathanwebster335@live.com
Keywords: babies, infants, parenting, family
Word Count: 526
Category: Babies
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