Steiff Stuffed Animals – Toys to Love for a Lifetime

Like so many German kids, I was lucky enough to have a few stuffed Steiff Stuffed Animals & 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 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 leaned 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 got good 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 machinedj, adjusting it, so that it worked well for her needs. Together with her sisters, they started a tailoring business that grew successful enough so that her father build her own little shop in the family home.

Margarete sewed clothing, and established a business specializing in pieces made from felt, like coats and underskirts. And her little shop thrived.

The first Steiff animal was an elephant. She found a pattern in a sewing magazine that 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 that there were 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 all 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 out a bear with moveable arms and legs. These extra cuddly bears were covered 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 insure 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 their 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 dad may never recover from the tauma 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 somewhere… 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

The 1997 100th Jubilee Bear

Jubilee 1997 Teddy Bear Historic Steiff Miniature, Long Hair off white, EAN 029240, 16 cm (6 inches)Steiff 100 Year Jubilee Bear

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Steiff Stuffed Animals & Plush Toys

Looking for the perfect Steiff Bear?

For Your favorite Child? Or maybe yourself?

Steiff Vintage Teddy Bear – Soft And Cuddly Plush Animal Toy – 12Steiff Sweetheart Teddy Bear Plush, CreamSteiff Lotte Teddy Bear in Suitcase Plush, White

More Steiff Stuffed Animals & Plush Toys

It isn’t just BEARS… there are so many Steiff animals to choose from…

Steiff Wittie Owl Plush, Grey BrindledSteiff Trampili Elephant Plush, GreySteiff Sissi Sitting PigletSteiff JOGGI Hedgehog Plush Animal Toy, BrownSteiff Piff Grey Mouse

Steiff Toys for Babies!

Special Extra Soft and Cuddly

Steiff Ellie Elephant Blanket 10Steiff Sleep Well Bear Comforter Plush, PinkSteiff Sleep Well Bear Grip Toy, BlueSteiff Sweet Dreams Lamb Music BoxSteiff Oggie Pig 14

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.

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!

Vintage 1950 Steiff Teddy Bear HTF 6” 5 Way JoInted SUPER CUTEAntique Vintage 1920’s Gold Mohair Teddy Bear 15 1/2” WELL LOVED & Sweet Face

Steiff Margaret Strong Bear Signed

Vintage Steiff Animals

Steiff made a lot more than just bears…I had a bird, a fish and a cat…

Vintage 1960’s Steiff Airedale Terrier Dog named TerrySteiff little horse velvetSteiff lamby1960s steiff lot of six stuffed animals toys: tiger, lion, horse, bessy cow, mopsy dog, large soccer ball, all mohair

Charming Collection of 23 Small Steiff Animals