OLD AND ANTIQUE TEDDY BEARS FOR SALE
Below - Maud, a 1940s Chiltern bear, (sold) and Sandy, a blonde Chad Valley bear (reserved).
Above:
Graham, a handsome 1940s Chiltern
Below:
Poppet, (reserved)
Below:
Charlie Chad from the 1960s
There are price reductions on many of our bears.
If you are interested in a particular bear it is a good idea to act straight away, as he or she may be sold when you next log on.
Don't forget that we have a Layaway scheme whereby you can spread the cost of your purchase over 2 months (£50-£99 purchases) and over 3 months (purchases of £100 and over). If you'd like to know about our latest additions, please add your email address to our mailing list (details are never divulged to third parties).
Below:
One of Chilterns largest bears sitting with one of their smallest.
ABOUT 'OLD TEDDIES'
We aim to bring you a selection of appealing quality antique teddy bears at competitive prices. Bears that you may discover will include the major UK manufacturers such as Farnell, Chiltern, Chad Valley, Merrythought, Deans and Pedigree. In addition, vintage teddies from the continent, USA and Australia may make their way here, hoping to find a good home. We try to source old toys mainly dating from pre-1920 through to the 1960s, but may sometimes include more recent limited editions from the best quality factories such as Steiff or Merrythought. From the almost pristine, unplayed with bear, to the well-loved character who has clearly meant a great deal to his previous young owner , their condition varies. While the latter type holds a special appeal for some collectors, we always give a full description, and make a point of mentioning any 'injuries' or repairs Ted may have had.
Also for sale from time to time are good old toy 'animals', nice earlier examples of which are becoming scarce. They can also add variety to a bear collection.
Please follow the links on the right to see what is currently available and how to buy a bear from us. There are also some general tips on acquiring and cleaning bears which a new collector may find useful. We are based in the UK, and overseas buyers are very welcome.
Whatever your interest, please feel free to email with any questions you may have. All items are gently cleaned before being sent, and will be posted by trackable insured mail and boxed to keep them safe en route. Stock is updated regularly.
*IMPORTANT* - All products on this site are collectors items only and must not be given to children.
THE ORIGINS OF THE TEDDY BEAR
The collecting of toy bears, or Arctophilia, has in recent years become a very popular hobby. This is unsurprising considering the large range of teddy bears to be found. Whether you are 'into' antique bears including the crème de la crème old Steiff bears at the upper end of the price scale, or the more easily available modern bears, there is something for everyone.
Although bears had been represented in toy form since the late 19c, the actual name "Teddy Bear" entered the public consciousness in 1902 after American president Theodore Roosevelt refused to shoot a bear he encountered on a hunting expedition. A cartoon illustrating the incident subsequently appeared in the Washington Post and the ensuing interest led to a New York shopkeeper offering two stuffed bear toys for sale, and with the president's permission, naming them 'Teddy's Bears'. These proved very popular, and the shopkeeper, Morris Michtom subsequently expanded and became the Ideal Novelty and Toy Corporation .
Around the same time, the Steiff factory of Giengen, Germany, which up until then had produced a variety of stuffed animal toys, created their first bears, and exhibited them at the Leipzig fair in 1903. This resulted in several thousand being exported and sold in the USA, and was the start of the world wide appreciation for these high quality, realistic bears which is still ongoing today .
FAVOURITE LINKS
Check out..
..these Teddy Bear sites!
Antique teddy bears for sale. We aim to bring you a good selection of vintage teds at very competitive prices.