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Teddy Bears - General

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.


Quick Facts

  • The bear that was captured for President Roosevelt was an old, crippled black bear. The media transformed this bear into the cute little bear cub pictured in the papers
  • Jointed teddy bears enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in part due to the plush designs of specialty collections such as Boyd's Bears. These teddy bears were made in the style of the original teddy bears rather than modern plush toys
  • Plush toy manufacturer Gund produces a high-end teddy bear called Snuffles. This bear has a 10-carat diamond necklace with a white-gold chain and eyes made of Tahitian black pearls. Snuffles retails for $10,000

Recommended Items at Auction

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(30) Ty Beanie Babies Plushies, Mcdonald’s
May 24, 10:00 AM MST
(30) Ty Beanie Babies Plushies, Mcdonald’s
by EJ'S Auction & Appraisal
Est: $0- $0
$152 Bids
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Early Straw-Stuffed Teddy w/ Added Sweater & Bow 24 in. (61 cm.)
May 29, 6:00 PM EDT
Early Straw-Stuffed Teddy w/ Added Sweater & Bow 24 in. (61 cm.)
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
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(2) Unique Teddy Bears 20 in. (50.8 cm.)
May 29, 6:00 PM EDT
(2) Unique Teddy Bears 20 in. (50.8 cm.)
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
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Dark Oddities Lot - Clapping Monkey & Mounted Teddy Bear Head
May 29, 6:00 PM EDT
Dark Oddities Lot - Clapping Monkey & Mounted Teddy Bear Head
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
(13) Ty Beanie Babies Plushies, Bears
May 24, 10:00 AM MST
(13) Ty Beanie Babies Plushies, Bears
by EJ'S Auction & Appraisal
Est: $0- $0
$101 Bid
(15) Ty Beanie Babies Plushies, Bears
May 24, 10:00 AM MST
(15) Ty Beanie Babies Plushies, Bears
by EJ'S Auction & Appraisal
Est: $0- $0
$101 Bid
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(2) Antique Teddy Bears, (1) w/ Repairs 22 in. (55.9 cm.)
May 29, 6:00 PM EDT
(2) Antique Teddy Bears, (1) w/ Repairs 22 in. (55.9 cm.)
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
UNUSUAL-LOOKING BROWN MOHAIR TEDDY BEAR
Jun 04, 9:00 AM EDT
UNUSUAL-LOOKING BROWN MOHAIR TEDDY BEAR
by Morphy Auctions
Est: $300- $500
$1500 Bids
LOT OF 3: JAPANESE BATTERY-OPERATED TIN LITHO & FUR-COVERED BEAR TOYS
Jun 05, 9:00 AM EDT
LOT OF 3: JAPANESE BATTERY-OPERATED TIN LITHO & FUR-COVERED BEAR TOYS
by Morphy Auctions
Est: $300- $600
$1500 Bids
Early German Teddy Bear
May 31, 10:00 AM EDT
Early German Teddy Bear
by Copake Auction Inc.
Est: $50- $75
$200 Bids
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Apricot Mohair Teddy Bear
May 28, 10:00 AM EDT
Apricot Mohair Teddy Bear
by Gray's Auctioneers
Est: $800- $1,200
$4000 Bids
A Gucci Red Teddy Bear Plush Toy.
May 27, 10:00 AM BST
A Gucci Red Teddy Bear Plush Toy.
by Cadmore Auctions
Est: £170- £200
£1700 Bids
Lot of 2 Designer Plush Bears, inc. Portobello.
May 24, 11:00 AM CDT
Lot of 2 Designer Plush Bears, inc. Portobello.
by Direct Auction Galleries, Inc.
Est: $80- $120
$300 Bids
(2) ENGLISH COLLECTIBLE TEDDY BEARS
Jun 11, 10:00 AM EDT
(2) ENGLISH COLLECTIBLE TEDDY BEARS
by Vintage Accents Auctions
Est: $100- $200
$200 Bids
(10) ASSORTED STUFFED TEDDY BEARS
Jun 11, 10:00 AM EDT
(10) ASSORTED STUFFED TEDDY BEARS
by Vintage Accents Auctions
Est: $100- $150
$200 Bids
(6) STUFFED TOY TEDDY BEARS
Jun 11, 10:00 AM EDT
(6) STUFFED TOY TEDDY BEARS
by Vintage Accents Auctions
Est: $100- $150
$200 Bids
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2pc Vintage Resin Bear Figurines by Antique Teddies
May 29, 2:00 PM EDT
2pc Vintage Resin Bear Figurines by Antique Teddies
by Lion and Unicorn
Est: $30- $200
$100 Bids
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3pc Vintage Collectible Boyd's Collection + More
May 29, 2:00 PM EDT
3pc Vintage Collectible Boyd's Collection + More
by Lion and Unicorn
Est: $30- $200
$100 Bids
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Shoe-Button Eye Teddy 20 in. (50.8 cm.)
May 29, 6:00 PM EDT
Shoe-Button Eye Teddy 20 in. (50.8 cm.)
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids
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Antique Straw Stuffed Teddy Bear 24 in. (61 cm.)
May 29, 6:00 PM EDT
Antique Straw Stuffed Teddy Bear 24 in. (61 cm.)
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids
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Antique Jointed Teddy Bear 22 in. (55.9 cm.)
May 29, 6:00 PM EDT
Antique Jointed Teddy Bear 22 in. (55.9 cm.)
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids
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Large Antique Jointed Teddy Bear 28 in. (71.1 cm.)
May 29, 6:00 PM EDT
Large Antique Jointed Teddy Bear 28 in. (71.1 cm.)
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids
Vintage Large Articulating Wool Teddy Bear
Jun 07, 11:00 AM EDT
Vintage Large Articulating Wool Teddy Bear
by Sarasota Estate Auction
Est: $150- $250
$800 Bids
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Shaggy Teddy Bear
May 29, 6:00 PM EDT
Shaggy Teddy Bear
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Teddy Bears - General


Apple Tree Auction Center

Apple Tree Auction Center

Auktionshalle Cuxhaven

Auktionshalle Cuxhaven

EJ'S Auction & Appraisal

EJ'S Auction & Appraisal

R & R Auction INC

R & R Auction INC