Teddy bear collecting is an enjoyable hobby. For some people it started with the first teddy bear they got a child. For others, it was love at first sight when they stumbled across a fuzzy bear in an antique shop. Whatever your reason for collecting, Teddy bear collecting can be enjoyed by everyone. Follow along as we discuss some of the things you need to consider should you want to take up this hobby in a serious way or just to collect for fun. Whatever your reason, here are some hints and tips on how to go about starting or increasing your teddy bear collection.
If you know a bit about teddy bears you can try following online auctions. Auctions are one of the best ways to find the scarcer teddy bears. Your online search will obviously be a lot easier if you learn the names or kinds of teddy bears which are most collectible. Other places to look for new teddy bears for your collection would be yard sales, garage sales, flea markets or estate sales. Flea markets can offer some interesting possibilities because quite often vendors from a large area like to attend various flea markets and you may get to see items you would never normally come across. Estate sales are another interesting avenue for the collector. Usually everything within a house is sold at an estate sale and since the goods being auctioned off cover a wide range of items you may be the only one with a good knowledge of teddy bears that attends. Visit enough auctions and estate sales and you may come up with some real discoveries in vintage teddy bears.
Sign up for a teddy bear collectors club. If you can't find one in your area remember that the Internet is bringing all kinds of people together these days. Many collectors clubs around the world have a presence on the world wide web and you can join up to share your passion with others collectors. Just be sure you know exactly what the club offers and what it costs to join. There should be a newsletter, an email address and other resources for information as well as discounts on bears, free "previews" of the newest creations and other advantages. Check out Muffy VanderBear Club, Robert Raikes Collectors Club, Steiff Club USA, Teddy Bear Collectors Association of Alberta, The Wellington Teddy Bear Club or the Taiwan Teddy Bear Association just to name a few. Educate yourself by looking for books on teddy bears at your public library or nearby book stores. the more you learn the better a collector you will be. History books on teddy bears or reference book on particular manufacturers will help you immensely in the long run.
There are many different varieties of bears you can collect along with a large number of manufacturers. Steiff bears, especially the early ones are among the most valuable bears for collectors. Other well known manufacturers of collectible bears in the USA and England include Ideal, Merrythought, Chad Valley, Chiltern, Farnell and Hermann. If you are lucky enough find an old bear by any of these makers it is very collectible. If possible, try to limit your collecting to certain types of bears or only certain manufacturers. Narrowing your search parameters for collectible teddy bears make sure much more knowledgeable collector in your specific area of expertise. Concentrating your efforts can help you save a lot of money since you will know the exact value of that next collectible teddy bear you are looking at.
The condition of a teddy bear is very important. Teddy bears, through their very purpose, were often played with by children and therefore shows signs of wear and tear. Many problems (worn pads, new eyes, joints) can easily be repaired by an expert but some (torn mohair, dry rot) are more difficult to remedy. A bear whose mohair is thinning or is bald can be clothed to make him more appealing and a suit of clothes will also offer him some protection for the future. See our range of teddy bear clothes here. A bear with all his original features will be much more appealing to a collector and therefore more valuable. A badly worn bear can be worth up to only 75% of the value of a bear in mint condition.
Teddy bear collecting is a great pastime. It is enjoyed by thousands of people around the world as it has been for more than 100 years. There are so many different manufacturers and types of bears that you can always find something unique to collect when it comes to teddy bears. Remember to always collect teddy bears you love and you'll never be disappointed.
