Steiff, the arctophile’s favourite marque, dominated, accounting for the bulk of the content and the £188,695 total generated by this event, although prices for other makers continue to show an increased interest for the best examples. This wasn’t a sale that set any new records, rather it was a demonstration of the solidity of this market, with just 43 lots (13 per cent) failing to get away.
Two centre seam Steiffs from the first decade of the 20th century led the day: an apricot mohair 193/4in (50cm) example of c.1904, and a honey blonde mohair bear just under 2ft (60cm) high of c.1908 at £10,000 and £9500, comfortably above estimate in each case.
One strong non-Steiff price was the £3000 paid for the 23in (58cm) high white mohair bear pictured here. This was made by the Bruin Manufacturing Company c.1908 and sported a BMC ribbon to one foot. From the records it appears that this company was only in production for a year, giving it a scarcity value that doubtless compensated for the bear’s missing eye.
The teddy and soft toys section of Bonhams’ sale in mid-December was just 27 lots. Seventeen of these found buyers led at £1050 by the c.1918 British, Farnell blonde mohair teddy pictured here of desirable small size at 14in (36cm) high.
Steiff competition as solid as ever
The third sale in Christie's South Kensington’s December toy triumvirate was their teddy bear and soft toy sale held on the 3rd of the month. The second of their biannual sales in this category, this was a sizeable offering at 319 lots and was well attended by a mix of collectors and dealers.
