Like so many German kids, I was lucky enough to have a few stuffed Steiff stuffed animals and plush toys—a small Dog with a blue collar and a bell, an Owl, and a Goldfish.
One very memorable Christmas, I found a Steiff Bear sitting in the branches of our
Christmas Tree. The Owl is still with me today; it sits on the table next to my chair and watches me read. The little dog lives in my daughter’s room; the collar and bell long gone, but the dog is still loved. The Goldfish makes an occasional appearance.
When my kids were born, they received Steiff animals from family in Germany… a bear, a lamb, and another bear.
Unlike so many things today, these lovely stuffed toys were designed to last a lifetime and be enjoyed by generations. These are toys that kids love and remember.
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Steiff Classic 1920 Teddy Bear Light Brown 10
A Little Steiff Teddy Bear History
Margarete Steiff was born in Giengen on the Brenz in 1847. As a child, she contracted Polio, and although she lost the use of her legs and had constant pain in her right hand, she never slowed down. Her parents and family encouraged her to be strong and independent, and she learned to get around despite the wheelchair. She initially trained to be a seamstress with her sisters, but found the work frustrating because of the limited strength in her hand. Undaunted, she took up the zither and became skilled enough to give lessons. All of the work on her beloved instrument helped her overcome the hand weakness. She and her sisters pooled their money and bought the town’s only sewing machine, adjusting it so it worked well for her needs. Together with her sisters, they started a tailoring business that grew successful enough that her father built her a little shop in the family home.
Margarete sewed clothing and started a business specializing in felt pieces, like coats and underskirts. And her little shop thrived.
The first Steiff animal was an elephant. She found a pattern in a sewing magazine, and although the elephant was meant to be a pincushion, she thought the children would love it as a toy, so she made a few for Christmas presents. Although it was just a hobby for friends, that first year, 1879, she sold 8 of them (I wonder if those elephants are still out there…?).
Margarete Steiff- Public Domain
By 1880, Margarete began sewing other animals from patterns in the Modenwelt magazine out of Felt and Mohair, and the Steiff company was founded. Her toy line included a monkey, camel, donkey, parrot, poodle, and of course, a bear. Her brother saw the opportunity in her talents, so he took a sack of her elephants to a market in Heidenheim, and sold out. Orders came in, and by 1886, she had sold 5000 of her little elephants!!
The business was growing like crazy! By 1887 they had 30 employees, and were selling tens of thousands of stuffed toys. Their success meant plenty of imitators, so to prevent confusion, in 1904 her brother Franz trademarked the famous line Steiff- Knopf im Ohr (Steiff- Button in the Ear), and from then on each original Steiff came with a button. Business EXPLODED!
This Steiff button is on my Owl’s foot
The Steiff Teddy Bear
Margarete’s nephew Richard Steiff went to art school, and his designs were used for many of the stuffed toys. Then, in 1902, he sketched a bear with movable arms and legs. They covered these extra-cuddly bears in soft mohair. Despite her skepticism, they went ahead with the project and took the new bear to the Leipzig Toy Fair. An American buyer bought 3000, and took them to America, where he introduced the bear as “Teddy” Bear, named after President Theodore Roosevelt. After this, Steiff became internationally famous.
Sadly, Margarete Steiff developed a lung infection and passed away in 1909.
Steiff Company Today
The Steiff company uses environmentally friendly materials that are tested for allergens and toxins. They weave their own materials to ensure quality. “Only the best is good enough for our children” is a motto the company stands by. When you buy a baby toy from Steiff, you can be assured that it is safe and durable enough to last a lifetime, and maybe even your child’s lifetime.
You can read more about Margarete Steiff and her incredible story on the
Steiff Website… Sadly, my bear was accidentally donated away. (My poor father may never recover from the trauma of that mistake). Today, I’d like to think that somewhere a child is enjoying it, and that it’s not just sitting on a shelf. A Steiff Bear is for loving.
In 2015, the Steiff Jubilee Bear celebrated 135 years of Steiff…. The bear holds the original Elephant!
Steiff 135 Year Jubilee Teddy Bear
Steiff #670985 centenary bear with original paperwork and packagingintage Steiff Teddy Bear with Growl Ltd Edn 4650/5000 H40cm, Germany 2003
Steiff Stuffed Animals & Plush Toys
Looking for the perfect Steiff Bear?
For Your favorite Child? Or maybe yourself? (I miss my 1920 mohair bear….)
Steiff 14Steiff Luca Teddy Bear 12
Steiff Vintage Teddy Bear – Soft And Cuddly Plush Animal Toy – 12
More Steiff Stuffed Animals & Plush Toys
It isn’t just BEARS… there are so many Steiff animals to choose from…
Steiff 63770 Soft Cuddly Friends Octopus TurquoiseSteiff 064623 Kango Kangaroo Plush Animal Toy, Beige Tipped 16 inchesSteiff 075742 Tuhin Tiger Plush Animal Toy, White
Steiff JOGGI Hedgehog Plush Animal Toy, Brown
Steiff Toys for Babies!
Special Extra Soft and Cuddly
Soft Cuddly Friends Fuzzy LambSteiff Soft Cuddly Friends Tilda Rabbit, Pink, 45Steiff Soft Cuddly Friends Girta Giraffe #068157
150 Jubilee Assortment!
To celebrate the 150th Birthday of Margarete Steiff, the Steiff company created a special collectible box made up of stuffed animals like the ones she made when she handled each one personally. (Including that adorable elephant!)
Steiff Jubilee Assortment – 150th Birthday – Margarete Steiff
Vintage Steiff Bears
Ohhh… now I’m even sadder about my bears vanishing!! Some of these are really expensive!
These bears look like they’ve gotten a lot of love. Find more here- Vintage Steiff Bears
Vintage Steiff Teddy BearVintage Steiff Original Teddy brown mohair bear plush hang tag button 202 41 EUCVintage Steiff Teddy Bear, 1980s Collectible Mohair Plush930s Steiff Teddy Bear, Pale Mohair Fully Jointed German Collectible
Vintage Mohair Teddy Bear 14″ Jointed Growler Bear Steiff Style German Plush ToySteiff Teddy Bear, Vintage 1950s German Mohair Jointed Collectible ToyVintage Steiff Jungbaer Bear Cub on All Fours 12 cm Mohair Glass Eyes 1950s
Vintage Steiff Animals
Steiff made a lot more than just bears…I had a bird, a fish and that little doggie!…
LOok! MECKI!!
Steiff Jumbo Elephant Grey Plush Toy 1450/12 Button in Ear TaggedVintage Steiff “Leo The Lion” Plush Stuffed Animal Mohair, mid century
Vintage 1960s Baloo Steiff Bear | Vintage Teddy Bear | Steiff Button in Ear | Gift for Teddy Bear Lovers | Disney CharacterVintage Steiff Mohair Animals – Select From 5 Collectible PiecesVintage Mohair Stuffed Running Tiger, Steiff?, As Found, No Tags, 9″ Body, Hair LossSteiff Vintage Mecki Hedgehog Father,EAN 8717,70, 1959 to 1967 – Steiff Button & Wrist Bracelet. Adorbs! Free shipping in US.
Vintage Steiff Rabbit
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intage Steiff Teddy Bear with Growl Ltd Edn 4650/5000 H40cm, Germany 2003
