Collecting Tips: Part I
So we’ve seen that interest in having teddy bears around, even to the extent of collecting them, has been around almost as long as teddy bears have been with us. And you’ve decided to include teddies in your home. But how serious are you? Are you a fan that loves teddy bears and buys a teddy now and then? Or have you decided to be more or less serious about collecting teddy bears, or are you already a serious collector. Now what?
What is collecting? According to various definitions collecting can be gathering, accumulating, saving, or treasuring something. I like the word treasure, for that’s how I view the teddies in my hug. I treasure them.
Decide what to collect. First and foremost, decide on the types of teddy bears that you might want to collect – by manufacturer, by age (antique or newer), special editions, dressed bears, sentimental reasons, or simply because the bear strikes you as special. This may be a sudden revelation, or a steam engine gathering speed.
By manufacturer. I’ve written a number of pages about some of the major teddy bear makers. And we’ve learned that each manufacturer had a definite way of making the bear’s head, ears, arms, and legs. And that some bear makers can be identified by the stitching on the teddy bear’s nose. And I’m including teddy bear artists with manufacturers since many of them have very loyal followers. Teddy bear artists have their own individual styles and often come with identifying markers. As with anything of value, it’s important to be sure of the teddy bear’s maker before making a major purchase.
By age. Obviously, the older a bear, the more wear and tear they have experienced, especially if they really were a child’s toy in the beginning. Age can often be determined by the type of stuffing and fabrics used, patterns, and materials used for the bear’s eyes. This type of information will help you date your teddy.
Special editions. Steiff started the special edition/duplicate bear trend as early as 1980, and many manufacturers, including Steiff and Gund, now have collector’s clubs. Special edition teddies include a teddy bear to celebrate such varied events as German Reunification and the Moscow Winter Olympics. Many manufacturers limit the number of teddy bears they will make as special editions so as not to flood the market as well as to keep the price up.
Dressed bears. Teddy bears don’t seem concerned as to whether they are clothed or not, but humans have been dressing them since the early days of their existence. I once had a teddy bear with a small suitcase of clothes, all made just for her. Children like to change the clothes on their dolls, and are equally fond of dressing their teddy bears. An old saying says that clothes make the person, and I guess the same can be said for clothes making the teddy. Clothes can certainly add to their charm and grace.
Sentimental reasons. Does your spouse give you flowers and a teddy bear every year for your birthday or anniversary? Were you hospitalized and received flowers and teddy bears as get well wishes from family and friends? I have a friend whose niece has been given a Boyd Bear every year since she was born. Or do you fall in love with the large annual Christmas teddy bears on display at Target’s and can’t resist bringing him home to brighten your den?
Special bears. Or there doesn’t have to be any special reason at all other than the bear strikes you as special. That’s how Michael Bond found the teddy bear he later named Paddington and who was featured in a number of books, TV animations and movies. The bear was sitting all alone on the shelf of a Selfridges store on Christmas Eve, something about the bear struck Bond, and the rest is the stuff legends are made of. I’ve bought many a teddy based on his expression as much as who the manufacturer was.
The important thing is that you love the teddy bear and want him part of your home and collection. Because it’s easy to have teddy bears take over the house, as I can attest. And it’s also important that as you gather your hug you make plans for how to store them or display them, for they can gather dust quite easily and are not easy to clean.
So enjoy your collecting, and most of all, enjoy your teddy bears. Because they are now part of your heart, hearth and home.