Summer Festival Steiff Bears Are On Their Way!

It is that time of the year again for the Steiff Summer Festival which is held in Giengen, Germany on an annual basis.

Limited to only 500 pieces, this very special set was created exclusively for the 2017 Festival.

These two very colorful teddy bears pay homage to the very first vibrant Steiff bears ever made.  The original set was produced for Harrods in 1908 and are primary red and yellow bears.  Made from mohair, each has a sculpted muzzle and a replica of the original Steiff elephant 'Button in Ear' tag.

One bear measure 7 inches and the other 8 inches tall.

Truly a very special Steiff set for that discerning bear collector!

Quote of the Day - "The tragedy in life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal.  The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach." - Benjamin Mays

How to Identify your Teddy Bear

Steiff "Button in Ear" Tags

Not sure whether or not you might have a Steiff Bear?  (Steiff Bears, in my opinion, are currently one of the few collectibles that either holds or increases in value).  Auction sites sell older Steiff teddy bears for values in great excess from their original prices.

To identify whether or not you might have a Steiff, take a look at the following 3 things:

1.  Chest Tag
2.  Button In Ear
3.  Ear Tag

A bit about each of the previously mentioned items:

1.  Chest Tags - Steiff chest tags are made of paper and are always circular in shape.  Unfortunately, this is the first item on a Steiff item that is lost or misplaced.  The chest tags on both these teddy bears and animals have changed often over the years.

2.  Button in Ear - this is considered the most famous of the Steiff animal identifiers, and they have also changed dramatically over the years.  (Your teddy bear or animal might have a visible hole in his right ear which could signify that he is in fact, a Steiff).  Steiff occasionally uses an old-fashioned button in ear on one of their replica pieces.

Taken from an excellent article on hubpages.com here is their listing of various button types over the years.

Years in Use	Description	Button Size
1904/1905	Silver toned button with elephant	6mm
1904/1905	Blank button	6mm
1908 - 1927	Nickel and Iron button with word Steiff on it	4mm
1925 - 1934/35	Iron and nickel plated button with word Steiff	8mm
1933/34 - 1943	Brass button with word Steiff	6mm
1948 - 1950	Grey-blue Lacquered Blank Button	7mm
1948 - 1950	Blank Nickel Button	5mm
1950 - 1952	Button with word Steiff	6mm
1952/53	Nickel Button with Steiff in Script	5mm
1960 - 1972	Nickel Button with Steiff in Script	5mm
1967 - 1977	Nickel Button in Form of Hollow Rivet with word Steiff in Script
1969 - 1977	Nickel Button with Small Steiff Lettering, inset instead of raised	5mm
1977 - 1982	Brass Button with Steiff in Script, Recessed Letters	8mm
1982 - 1999	Brass Button with Steiff in Script, Slightly Rounded	8mm
2000 - Present	Same as above but with more modern rivet fixture on the back	9mm
2004	Replica Pieces have a special gold-plated button with original elephant design

3.  Ear Tag - This is the actual tag attached to the button in ear which distinguishes each and every Steiff teddy bear or animal.  An EAN (European Article Number) is contained on each tag.  This numbering system has been used exclusively by Steiff since 1905.  Incidentally, limited edition tags (North American Exclusives, Worldwide Limited Editions, and Replicas) include the edition number the the total size of the limited edition itself.

Quote of the Day - "Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve." - Napoleon Hill

2014 Steiff Bears Fall Line

Franz Teddy Bear by Steiff EAN 034060

The official launch date to introduce the up and coming 2014 Steiff Fall line was July 1st.  We have to say that this collection is amazing!  There are so many incredible teddy bears and animals that it makes it so hard to choose a favorite.

And all of the North American Exclusives, Replicas, and Worldwide Limited Editions come with a very special 'Button in Ear' tag.  In 1904 the founder, Margarete Steiff, officially registered the "Button in Ear".  This memorable event is now commemorated with an ear tag that contains the very same elephant motif that was used more than 110 years ago.

 A bit about this fantastic collection directly from Steiff:

"There's a new parade of novelties headed your way for fall and holiday 2014. Leading the procession is Lukas, the drummer boy, with his little tin drum. In his smart white mohair coat, he sets the pace for a cast of characters that's sure to bring joy to collectors everwhere. There are rare treasures, unique replicas, and lovable animals in store for everyone.

 Fall marks the return of the coveted Margarete Steiff edition. This black-tag series represents the very best of Steiff design and craftsmanship. Each piece is meticulously handmade by our most skilled artisans and produced in strictly low quantities. This special edition pays tribute to Franz Steiff who developed the famous "Button in Ear" trademark exactly 110 years ago. The bear comes with a copy of the original button patent and a sealing wax kit.

 The collection also includes characters designed to help collectors celebrate the upcoming holiday season. There's a musical bear that plays "Last Christmas," a little girl Teddy in a snowflake gown, and a pair of festive ornaments.

 Plus, there are plenty of ideas for gift-giving. Wouldn't Teddy with Matryoshka make a wonderful Christmas surprise? And who wouldn't appreciate the gift of adventure with our Marco and Niccolo Teddy bears?

 Naturally, you'll also find new exclusives for the North American audience. The ever-popular series of bears with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS continues with "Rudy," a fresh, new pink bear. The next "Wizard of Oz" edition is the Scarecrow, officially licensed by Warner Brothers.  

 Replicas also have their place in the festivities. There's a 1908 Teddy that looks amazingly like a vintage bear. And leading the tail end of the parade? A donkey replica on wheels from 1929, complete with squeaker."

Please stay tuned as we expect that these gems will start shipping in late Fall.

Quote of the Day -  "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." - CS Lewis
 

In Case You Missed It - Background on Steiff Bears

Steiff - Famous hand-made German teddybears with Steiff "Button in Ear"

(Written by Brenda Mize, Owner of Beacon's Glow Collectibles)

History

Margarete Steiff, the founder of Steiff Bears, started her company in 1880. She beat all odds at the time by building a successful business, as she was wheelchair-bound as a result of polio. During this timeframe it was also unusual to find an aspiring female entrepreneur. Women had few legal rights or social standing during this period. Despite her handicap, she ultimately molded one of the most successful (and enduring) high-quality collectible toy companies in the world. After more than 128 years in business, this company continues to thrive and its products are in as much demand by collectors as they have ever been. This family-owned company makes about 15 million stuffed animals every year, which includes more than a quarter of a million Steiff teddy bears.

Steiff's plush animals are all designed by hand in their factory in Giengen, Germany. Each piece is hand-produced in their same traditional manner which results in the highest quality teddy bears and plush animals. Margarete Steiff's motto, which is still carried on by the company today, was "Only the best is good enough for our children".

Steiff "Button in Ear" Trademark

The Steiff "Button in Ear" trademark truly distinguishes each and every teddy bear and plush animal as a symbol of ultimate quality for toys. The "Button In Ear" trademark was invented in 1904 by Franz Steiff, one of Margarete's nephews, to distinguish Steiff bears from all others. Since 1904, each and every piece that Steiff has produced has the Steiff trademark button attached to its left ear.

To differentiate between Steiff's various collections, each teddybear and animal produced wears a distinctively colored tag as well as metal embossed button. For example:
Original Collection: comprised of a yellow Steiff ear tag with red writing and brass embossed button. Easily recognizable as an authentic Steiff Teddy Bear or Steiff animal.

　

Limited Edition: comprised of a white ear tag with red writing and gold-plated embossed button. Recognized by Steiff collectors as a piece from a limited edition.
Replica: comprised of a white ear tag with black writing and silver-plated embossed button. These replica animals are reproduced exactly according to Steiff's historic role models from the past.
Materials Used

Steiff Bears only uses the finest materials for their heirloom-quality teddy bears and animals. Two of the most popular materials used are mohair and alpaca. Both retain their long-lasting beauty which allows all of Steiff's pieces to be passed down from generation to generation.

Mohair has been used by Steiff since 1901 to make their teddy bears and animals. Angora goats took their name from the ancient Turkish city of Ankara, which was very close to where they originated. The Turks thought so highly of these special goats that none left the country until the sixteenth century. The first exports landed in Spain and France, but Angoras didn't reach American shores until 1849. The most valuable characteristic of the Angora goat is the value of the mohair that is clipped. The average goat in the U.S. shears approximately 5.3 pounds of mohair per shearing and are usually sheared twice a year – once in the spring and once again in the early fall.

Mohair fleece has always been the superior fabric for making teddy bears. There are many reasons for this:
1) mohair has an incredible luster to it, and dyed mohair resists fading caused by time and the elements
2) mohair is naturally almost non-flammable
3) mohair is considered the most durable animal fiber and is very resistant to hard wearing
4) the natural fibers from mohair have the ability to absorb and release atmospheric moisture
5) mohair is characteristically resistant to soiling
6) mohair possesses great tensile strength - diameter to diameter it is stronger than steel

Alpaca wool, on the other hand, is derived from the alpaca, a domesticated animal species from South America, that resembles a small llama. Alpaca fur is prized for its use in teddy bears, as well as many other items, and comes in more than 52 natural colors. It is light-weight, lustrous, and silky in nature which makes it a perfect medium for teddy bears.

Steiff at Auction

It is a well-known fact that Steiff Teddy Bears are true heirloom pieces, and increase in value as they gracefully age. They continue to fetch top prices among collectors and Steiff lovers. On October 14, 2000, the highest amount every paid for a teddy bear occurred at the Monaco "Teddies de l'An 2000" auction. Mr. Jessie Kim of Korea bought a "Louis Vuitton" teddy bear for 418,000 DM, which equates to nearly $195,000.00 USD.

The next highest amount paid for a Steiff bear at auction was $171,700 in 1994 for a bear named 'Teddy Girl'. This very valuable bear was a 1904 cinnamon Steiff bear sold to Yoshihiro Sekiguchi, founder of the Teddy Bear Museum in Izu, Japan.

Currently the latest teddy bear collector trend is for everyday collectors to buy reproductions of plush animals that are anywhere from 90 to 100 years old. Collectors desire the antique look, but don’t want the actual antiques themselves. Steiff teddy bears fit these requirements perfectly, and delight collectors of all ages by providing a lifetime of pleasure and enjoyment.

References
Margarete Steiff GmbH All About Your Collectible Teddy Bear’s Mohair, An Overview by Beacon’s Glow Collectibles
Pfeiffer Gunther (2001) 100 Years Steiff Teddy Bears. Koelbin-Fortuna-Druck GmbH: Baden/Germany.
Steiff Website (Germany)
Quote of the Day - "Along with success comes a reputation for wisdom." - Euripedes

Lots of New Steiff Bears 2012 Fall Collection Are In

We received in a sizable shipment from Steiff Bears late yesterday and today from their 2012 Fall Collection.  There are many wonderful pieces in this collection to include:  holiday ornaments; several teddy bears, a snow fox, and a deer from Steiff's Enchanted Forest Collection; Christmas teddies, and their long-awaited Molly Replica 1925 Dog EAN 403101. 

Anyway, it is very difficult to decide on a favorite but we are quite pleased that Steiff has introduced several Christmas teddy bears this year:
                    Christmas Teddy Bear by Steiff EAN 035333 

Romy Teddy Bear by Steiff EAN 035371 Holly Teddy Bear by Steiff EAN 035357 Angel Teddy Bear Ornament by Steiff EAN 035319 Fawn by Steiff EAN 036705 Christmas Rose Teddy Bear Ornament by Steiff EAN 035302

And as always, we offer very flexible layaway plans.  What a perfect way to get one of these incredible Steiff pieces before Christmas!

Quote of the Day - "Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." - Anonymous

Limited Production of Steiff Plush Teddy Bears

2012 marks something new from Steiff Bears - for the first time Steiff is introducing a line of their very popular Fynn and Lotte teddy bears that will only be produced during 2012.  Each plush teddybear will have a theme (sports, student, etc.)  And as an added touch, each teddy bear has the Steiff logo embroidered somewhere on either the bear or their accessories. 

Fynn is either a tan or brown plush Steiff teddy bear who is 11 inches tall.

Lotte is a white plush Steiff teddy who is 11 inches as well.

As of this date, we have received both the Student Fynn teddy and the Athlete Fynn teddy bear.

Please stay tuned as we expect to be receiving the Lotte bears in shortly.

Both of these bears are adorable but with their outfits and/or their accesories they are even cuter!

Quote of the Day - "The more difficulties one has to encounter, within and without, the more significant and the higher in inspiration his life will be." -
Horace Bushnell

A Classic Steiff Bear - Sunny Teddy Bear EAN 035746

2012 has been a great year for Steiff Bears!  They have introduced one incredible teddy bear after another.  Sunny Teddy Bear (EAN 035746) should definitely be included in this group.  He is a massive bear at 24 inches tall and has a deep growler.  Funny as he was growling from within his very large box as we were carrying him in after being delivered by Federal Express.

He is an old-fashioned teddy bear created from a cream yellow Schulte mohair that is a long pile and just a little bit curly, which adds to his endearing charm.  Sunny has the distinct honot of being the largest teddybear in this year's Steiff Worldwide Limited Edition Collection. 

Just to tell you a bit more about Sunny - he was designed after a mid-1920's Steiff teddy bear and he has a distinctive big round head, short muzzle, and dark brown pupil eyes.  (We have been told that this adds to his adorable childlike expression).

But nonetheless, this extra large Teddy is sure to steal your heart.  A perfect addition to any Steiff collection. . .

Quote of the Day - "A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship; and he who plants kindness gathers love." - Basil

Did you see the Steiff Bear on Pawn Stars?

Pawn Stars had an individual the other night bring in a Steiff Bear that he wanted to sell.  And this was no ordinary Steiff Bear. . . . it was a Studio bear from the 1990's.  Unfortunately, the grandfather at Pawn Stars did not want to give the individual the price that he was hoping for.  But the interesting thing is that Steiff still produces this very bear to this day.

This Studio Bear stands almost 63 inches in height and is quite dramatic, to say the least.  He is a brown bear whose fur is made from woven fur.  As Steiff states, he makes a perfect playmate, nursery decoration, or store display.

Incidentally, the individual on Pawn Stars gave a brief history of Steiff and their incredible founder, Margarete Steiff.  But if you would like to learn more, the Steiff website has a much more detailed history of this company and its founder.

Quote of the Day - "Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal." - Pamela Vaull Starr

Steiff Bears - The Real Thing. . .

Steiff Bears has an incredible history that dates back to its inception in 1880 by it founder, Margarete Steiff. There are many great books out there that go through the history of Steiff, and they are, for sure, an interesting read.

Presently ALL Steiff Bears are made in Germany and the company is very proud of this fact. (For a very short time span, Steiff's Cosy Friend Plush line of teddy bears and animals were made in China. But it was obvious to upper management in Steiff that quality was being compromised and customer satisfaction was being affected).

In addition, Steiff prides themselves on having one of the world's most stringent safety requirements for their products.

Steiff Bears is an incredible company and is sure to be around for a very, very long time.

Quote of the Day - "It's easier to see the mistakes on someone else's paper." - Author Unknown

Did You See Steiff Bears on the SAP Commercial?

We were watching the Bloomberg Evening News the other day and were surprised to see an SAP commercial (which stands for Standard Assessment Procedure) include a Steiff Bear with the famous 'Button in Ear' ear tag being pulled in a red wagon by a little girl.

We knew that Steiff utilized the SAP software in their operations. Upon further research, found that the main headquarters of Steiff, located in Giengen, Germany, has been using SAP since the year 2003. For those of you who did not know, SAP is a German global software corporation that provides enterprise software applications and support to businesses around the world.

Pictured left is one incredible Steiff Bear that we just received in named "Teddy Bear Replica 1906 Caramel EAN 403064". He is quite massive in stature and very impressive by the way. . .

Quote of the Day - "Believe It! High expectations are the key to everything." - Sam Walton

Margarete Steiff Felt Doll by Steiff EAN 421082 is Incredible

Margarete Steiff Felt Doll by Steiff Bears EAN 421082 arrived today and this set is quite amazing. By the way, this Steiff creation honors the 100th anniversary of Margarete's death and even to this day she still remains known to many as the 'Mother of all Teddy bears and toy animals'.

Designed from original photos of Margarete Steiff from the Steiff archives, this incredible 11-inch wool felt doll with a center seam wears a subdued dress made of luxurious black wool with a black satin blouse adorned with a brooch with burgundy stone. She also wears a fine lace underskirt and a pair of black nappa leather boots. Each face of Margarete Steiff is painted by hand and individually designed. Her eyes are glass and the black metal wheelchair that is included with this set has been painstakingly reproduced after the original.

Margarete Steiff Felt Doll by Steiff EAN 421082 holds in her lap a wonderful 3-1/2 inch white mohair teddy bear. Both pieces come with Steiff Bears famous 'Button in Ear' tag that have the initials 'MS' that is reserved exclusively for the Margarete Steiff Editions only. Comes from a limited edition of only 750 pieces worldwide during the year 2009.

A priceless addition to any Steiff Bear collector.

Quote of the Day - "The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows." - Sydney J. Harris

Steiff Bears Purity Law and other awards of outstanding quality

"Only the best is good enough for our children" was the personal credo of Steiff Bears company founder, Margarete Steiff, more than one hundred years ago. Over the years, Steiff has applied this basic principle to all areas of the company.

It is their goal to create not only the most beautiful and best toy animals and teddy bears in the world, but also the safest. In order to live up to this high standard, Steiff Bears has developed a special quality control system to supervise the entire creative development and production process: from the initial idea for the product until the moment when a Steiff animal leaves the factory in Giengen, Germany.

Steiff stands behind their 'Steiff Purity Law'. This involves the voluntary examination of all of their products - not those imposed by any standards - because harmful substances of any type have absolutely no place in Steiff Bears products. This 'law' is comprised of ten rules from avoiding physiologically harmful colors for all dying and coloring processes to maintaining higher requirements for the workmanship of seams and applications than required by all international standards, to name just a few.

Quote of the Day - "Make up your mind to act decidedly and take the consequences. No good is every done in this world by hesitation." - Thomas H. Huxley

Steiff Bears - Great News!

Beacons Glow Collectibles has just gotten word that Steiff Bears will now be creating and producing all of their incredible bears in Germany.

All of their North American Exclusives and Worldwide Classic Collections have always been hand-made in Germany, but in some instances a small percentage of their Steiff Cosy Friends were produced in China. As hopefully most of you know, Steiff Bears Cosy Friends include the more moderately priced items made of soft plush. Cosy Friends also includes Steiff Baby.

This is fantastic news as all operations will be brought back to Germany and we are of the opinion that this is where it should be. Beacon's Glow Collectibles only hopes that American companies will start to follow the lead of Steiff Bears and bring back their manufacturing operations to the United States.

Quote of the Day - "Originality is the essence of true scholarship. Creativity is the soul of the true scholar." - Nnamdi Azikiwe

Steiff Bears Flurrie, the 2008 Swarovski Bear Has Arrived

We are pleased to announce here at Beacon's Glow Collectibles that we have received in the very special Steiff Bears 2008 Swarovski Bear named Flurrie. This piece, incidentally, is an exclusive distribution by Steiff Retailers in 2008.

This is the fifth historic collaboration between Steiff and Swarovski. Steiff, renowned around the world for their German hand-made teddy bears, and Swarovski, renowned around the world for their crystal pieces, make a great team.

This year's bear features the snowflake-shaped Swarovski 2008 annual edition ornament. The bear itself is 10 inches tall and made of silvery-blue tipped mohair. It makes a wonderful gift item or a festive addition to your holiday decor.

Quantities are quite limited to the year 2008, so please order yours before these incredible bears are gone.

Quote of the Day - "Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." - William Arthur Ward

Steiff Bears

In order to help simplify the organization of Steiff Bears on the Beacons Glow Collectibles site, we have now combined both the previous Steiff Bears North American Exclusives and Steiff Bears Worldwide Classics into one major category aptly named "Steiff Bears".

New categories contained within the Steiff Bears category are as follows:

• Steiff Bears North American Christmas


• Steiff Bears North American Exclusives


• Steiff Bears Worldwide Classics


• Steiff Boutique


• Steiff Club


• Steiff Pets and Farm Animals


• Steiff Replicas


• Steiff Teddy Bears


• Steiff Wild Animals


• Steiff Worldwide Limited Editions

Any comments or suggestions as to how this new change works for you is greatly appreciated.

Quote of the Day - "The best way to cheer yourself is to try to cheer someone else up." - Mark Twain

Steiff Cockerel 1892 by Steiff (EAN 411519)

Steiff Cockerel 1892 by Steiff (EAN 411519) has just recently arrived at Beacon's Glow Collectibles.

This magnificant Steiff cockerel rooster is quite stunning. This is a very special replica that dates back to the time with Steiff's founder, Margarete Steiff was still making toys with her own hands. (For those of you that didn't know, Margarete's first creations were felt elephants). She was quite a woman, and a true female entrepreneur for her time.

This magnificant rooster is made from 35 separate layers of felt in 12 different colors. Since the legendary "Button in Ear" had not yet been introduced in 1892, this Cockerel 1892 by Steiff (EAN 411519) is given the first official button with an elephant logo. He comes from a limited edition of 1000 pieces worldwide.

We are quite pleased to get the opportunity to carry this wonderful Steiff piece. Pleade don't hesitate to contact us if you would like any additional information on this Steiff Cockerel 1892 by Steiff.

Quote of the Day - "Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us. " - Jane Austen, Pride & Prejudice