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Bears

In 1902, United States President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was on a hunting trip in Mississippi. A black bear had been provided as a target for the president to shoot. The president considered it unsportsmanlike to shoot the animal and refused to do so. The event was widely publicized by a cartoon that appeared in the Washington Post the following day. The bear appeared in political cartoons and became known as "Teddy's bear." Soon, stuffed toy bears were modeled after the cartoon. Eventually, the toys were known simply as teddy bears.

Morris Michtom, founder of the Ideal Toy and Novelty company, asked permission from the president to sell toy bears made by his wife Rose as "teddy bears." The bears became widely popular and the Michtoms eventually founded Ideal to accommodate production. While the Michtoms are credited with inventing the teddy bear, historical documentation shows that the Steiff company of Germany actually produced toy teddy bears before the Michtoms.

Teddy bears were very popular prior to World War II. After the war, however, stuffed animals began to be produced using synthetic materials. Interest in teddy bears declined in the '60s, but vintage teddy bears became popular again in the '80s.

Recommended Items at Auction

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A Large Collection of Plush Toys, Figurines & Calculators, Marked Sanrio
Feb 15, 10:00 AM AEDT
A Large Collection of Plush Toys, Figurines & Calculators, Marked Sanrio
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD0- AUD0
AUD706 Bids
Three Pokémon Plush Toys
Feb 15, 10:00 AM AEDT
Three Pokémon Plush Toys
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD0- AUD0
AUD404 Bids
A collection of various Steiff, Harrods and other Teddy Bears
Feb 14, 10:00 AM GMT
A collection of various Steiff, Harrods and other Teddy Bears
by Martel Maides
Est: £50- £60
£503 Bids
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Vintage Steiff Nagy Beaver
Feb 22, 9:00 AM CST
Vintage Steiff Nagy Beaver
by Matthew Bullock Auctioneers
Est: $30- $300
$202 Bids
(3) Alf Coleco, Paddington, & Winnie The Pooh
Feb 15, 10:00 AM MST
(3) Alf Coleco, Paddington, & Winnie The Pooh
by EJ'S Auction & Appraisal
Est: $0- $0
$152 Bids
VINTAGE STEIFF GERMAN AUTOMATON WINDOW DISPLAY
Feb 13, 2:00 PM EST
VINTAGE STEIFF GERMAN AUTOMATON WINDOW DISPLAY
by Westport Auction
Est: $50- $10,000
$702 Bids
Five Plush Toys, Marked Frozen, Minions & Toy Story
Feb 15, 10:00 AM AEDT
Five Plush Toys, Marked Frozen, Minions & Toy Story
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD0- AUD0
AUD202 Bids
Two well loved vintage Chad Valley Teddy Bears
Feb 14, 10:00 AM GMT
Two well loved vintage Chad Valley Teddy Bears
by Martel Maides
Est: £25- £30
£282 Bids
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Vintage Jestia Musical Easter Bunny Plush
Feb 22, 9:00 AM CST
Vintage Jestia Musical Easter Bunny Plush
by Matthew Bullock Auctioneers
Est: $30- $300
$151 Bid
1998 Inaugural Year LTD. Edition COOPERSTOWN BEARAZ DiamondBacks
Feb 16, 10:00 AM MST
1998 Inaugural Year LTD. Edition COOPERSTOWN BEARAZ DiamondBacks
by R & R Auction INC
Est: $0- $0
$101 Bid
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Vintage Steiff Snucki Mountain Sheep
Feb 22, 9:00 AM CST
Vintage Steiff Snucki Mountain Sheep
by Matthew Bullock Auctioneers
Est: $30- $300
$151 Bid
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Group of Steiff Plush Animals
Feb 22, 9:00 AM CST
Group of Steiff Plush Animals
by Matthew Bullock Auctioneers
Est: $30- $300
$151 Bid
VINTAGE STEIFF GROUPING
Feb 13, 2:00 PM EST
VINTAGE STEIFF GROUPING
by Westport Auction
Est: $50- $10,000
$501 Bid
VINTAGE STEIFF FIGURE GROUPING
Feb 13, 2:00 PM EST
VINTAGE STEIFF FIGURE GROUPING
by Westport Auction
Est: $50- $10,000
$501 Bid
Vintage COPPERS Town Bears In Display Box
Feb 16, 10:00 AM MST
Vintage COPPERS Town Bears In Display Box
by R & R Auction INC
Est: $0- $0
$101 Bid
Grey And Beige Beanie Unknown Brand Or Size.
Feb 15, 2:00 PM AEDT
Grey And Beige Beanie Unknown Brand Or Size.
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD0- AUD0
AUD51 Bid
Four Plush Miniature Dogs & Birds Including Steiff & Wind up Birds
Feb 23, 11:00 AM AEDT
Four Plush Miniature Dogs & Birds Including Steiff & Wind up Birds
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD50- AUD100
AUD251 Bid
Pull along Stuffed Bear
Feb 17, 6:00 PM EST
Pull along Stuffed Bear
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
Large stuffed white Bengal tiger
Feb 24, 6:00 PM EST
Large stuffed white Bengal tiger
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids
Great collection of Cherished Teddy figures
Feb 24, 6:00 PM EST
Great collection of Cherished Teddy figures
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids
Us Coast Guard and America's Hero bears
Feb 24, 6:00 PM EST
Us Coast Guard and America's Hero bears
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids
Snuggle, Holiday Greeting, and 100th ann Teddy Bears
Feb 24, 6:00 PM EST
Snuggle, Holiday Greeting, and 100th ann Teddy Bears
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids
Hand crafted childs wooden bench with boyds bears
Feb 24, 6:00 PM EST
Hand crafted childs wooden bench with boyds bears
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids
Boyds Bears
Feb 24, 6:00 PM EST
Boyds Bears
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Bears


Atlee Raber Auctioneer

Atlee Raber Auctioneer

Matthew Bullock Auctioneers

Matthew Bullock Auctioneers

Figlio Designs LLC

Figlio Designs LLC

Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers

Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers