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Updated May 4, 2026

How to Identify Old Teddy Bears: Tags, Maker, Materials and Joints

Identify old teddy bears by tags, maker marks, mohair, joints, eyes, nose stitching, stuffing, paw pads, clothing, repairs, and condition clues.

Old teddy bear identification details including tag, joints, eyes, paw pads, and mohair
Generated editorial support image, not an auction lot. Teddy bear identification depends on tags, materials, joints, eyes, stitching, and condition.

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Quick identification checklist

  • Look for ear buttons, chest tags, side-seam labels, foot-pad marks, boxes, certificates, and original clothing.
  • Record material, height, joints, paw pads, eye type, nose stitching, stuffing, sound box, and repairs.
  • Separate antique mohair bears, branded collector bears, artist bears, plush toys, and souvenir bears.

Key value drivers

Identification matters because maker, material, age, originality, tags, box, provenance, and condition drive the appraisal path. A tagged Steiff bear, a modern collector bear, and an unidentified plush bear should not be treated the same way.

What similar items actually sold for

Real auction sales of items like your teddy bear. Open a sale to see the original listing.

Shown USD range: USD 2-USD 110. Median of these 9 USD examples: USD 50.

Comparable What sold Auction house Date Lot Source-reported amount
A STEIFF BLONDE MOHAIR TEDDY BEAR, CIRCA 1909 sold by C & T Auctioneers and Valuers Ltd, lot 249 — auction record photograph A STEIFF BLONDE MOHAIR TEDDY BEAR, CIRCA 1909 C & T Auctioneers and Valuers Ltd 2018-06-06 249 GBP 650
Small tan teddy bear with black nose and eyes, sitting with front paws apart against a white background. Chad Valley golden mohair vintage teddy bear Vectis Auctions Ltd 2022-04-21 2300 GBP 45
Steiff Brown Bear Stuffed Animal sold by Asselmeier May Auctions, lot 164 — auction record photograph Steiff Brown Bear Stuffed Animal Asselmeier May Auctions 2020-08-02 164 USD 50
Steiff Jointed Mohair Stuffed Animal Bear, H: 21 in. (53.3 cm.) sold by Weschler's, lot 326 — auction record photograph Steiff Jointed Mohair Stuffed Animal Bear, H: 21 in. (53.3 cm.) Weschler's 2023-06-13 326 USD 55
Vintage Steiff Zotty Bear Plush Toy sold by Keystone Auctions LLC, lot 221 — auction record photograph Vintage Steiff Zotty Bear Plush Toy Keystone Auctions LLC 2026-07-05 221 USD 60
Vintage Kamar, Inc. Plush Toy, Brown Bear sold by Lion and Unicorn, lot 536 — auction record photograph Vintage Kamar, Inc. Plush Toy, Brown Bear Lion and Unicorn 2024-11-29 536 USD 2
Vtg 1975 Eden Toys Paddington Bear Animal Plush Toy sold by Aether Auctions, lot 222 — auction record photograph Vtg 1975 Eden Toys Paddington Bear Animal Plush Toy Aether Auctions 2024-02-27 222 USD 8
Vintage HERMANN Jointed German Blonde Mohair Teddy, Glass Eyes, 14 inch Tall Plush Toy sold by Atlee Raber Auctioneer, lot 53 — auction record photograph Vintage HERMANN Jointed German Blonde Mohair Teddy, Glass Eyes, 14 inch Tall Plush Toy Atlee Raber Auctioneer 2026-01-12 53 USD 10
Toy: A 20thC small plush miniature model of a teddy bear. Approx. 3" long sold by Claydon Auctioneers, lot 1449 — auction record photograph Toy: A 20thC small plush miniature model of a teddy bear. Approx. 3" long Claydon Auctioneers 2023-04-24 1449 GBP 44
A Farnell teddy bear sold by Christie's, lot 215 — auction record photograph A Farnell teddy bear Christie's 2005-12-13 215 GBP 216
Vintage Chiming Teddy Bear likely Chiltern. sold by Apple Tree Auction Center, lot 2035 — auction record photograph Vintage Chiming Teddy Bear likely Chiltern. Apple Tree Auction Center 2024-06-06 2035 USD 110
Schuco (Shreyer & Co) Yes/No vintage teddy bear sold by Vectis Auctions Ltd, lot 4285 — auction record photograph Schuco (Shreyer & Co) Yes/No vintage teddy bear Vectis Auctions Ltd 2019-05-30 4285 GBP 110
A rare Chiltern Skater Bear sold by Christie's, lot 130 — auction record photograph A rare Chiltern Skater Bear Christie's 2007-09-19 130 GBP 3,000
Merrythought London Tower Guard Bear sold by Apple Tree Auction Center, lot 1021 — auction record photograph Merrythought London Tower Guard Bear Apple Tree Auction Center 2026-03-26 1021 USD 7
Merrythought “Edward” Teddy Bear Made in England AKA Christopher Robin’s Teddy Bear sold by Apple Tree Auction Center, lot 5051 — auction record photograph Merrythought “Edward” Teddy Bear Made in England AKA Christopher Robin’s Teddy Bear Apple Tree Auction Center 2025-10-07 5051 USD 55
How these auction records were verified

These sales are market context, not an object estimate.

Each row retains its exact source URL, lot identity, retrieval time, access result, and immutable record hash. Live source access was blocked; the exact record matched Appraisily's immutable pipeline provenance. Inspect the public comparable provenance record.

Condition and authenticity cautions

Do not wash, restuff, replace eyes, repair seams, or remove tags before documentation. Replaced parts, odor, moth damage, missing labels, and reproduction accessories can materially change value.

Photo checklist

  • Front, back, side profile, face, ears, tags, buttons, labels, paws, joints, clothing, box, certificate, and full bear.
  • Close-ups of bald spots, holes, stains, repairs, missing fur, replaced eyes, restuffing, odors, and storage damage.

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