Collecting Steiff Animals
When Steiff first started in business they made soft toy animals rather than teddy bears and Margarete Steiff started with a pattern for a toy elephant in 1879. Initially they were produced as pin cushions but she soon discovered how popular they were with children, who preferred soft, cuddly toys to the usual wooden ones. Margarete Steiff was so successful that she was soon able to form her own company.
Not many of these early models have survived due to wear and tear of children playing with them. From 1903 onwards the teddy bears dominated the Steiff production, but during the 1920 and 30s and 1950s and 60s many toy animals were produced and many of them can be found nowadays. Steiff animals are superior to any others produced because of their attention to detail, fine materials and very tight quality control. Really only the English company Merrythought could rival it. Continue reading »
Filed under Toys and Games | Tags: children's toys, collecting Steiff animals, cuddly toys, Margarete Steiff, Mickey Mouse, Puss in Boots, soft toys, Steiff, Steiff animals, Steiff Teddy Bears, Teddy Bears, Toys and Games | Comment (0)Collecting Vintage Dexterity Games
Most vintage dexterity games were made in Europe and the bulk were produced in Germany, France and the UK. During the first part of the 20th century the US also produced these kind of games, often with a patriotic wartime theme. The Germans made a huge number of vintage dexterity games and the 20th century examples were usually housed in tinplate frames – this was less expensive and easier to produce than paper-covered wooden boxes.
If you find a paper covered wooden box example it is likely to be of an earlier date and more valuable. Paper coverings that have been printed or embossed are of particular interest and these often have finely printed graphic cards inside. Examine the number of colours used and the details in the themes as well as moving features – this often means the game is older and of higher quality. Continue reading »
Filed under Toys and Games | Tags: advertising, antique games, antique toys, Art Deco, automobilia, collecting, collector, games, Journet's games, R Journet, The Brooch Puzzle, The Green Eyed Kitty Puzzle, Toys and Games, Woolworth | Comment (0)