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How to Collect Steiff

Steiff collectors have been around almost as long as the formation of this plush toy company. Founded in 1880 by a polio victim who learned to sew with the use of only one hand, the company is known internationally today and enjoys fans all over the world. There are so many Steiff toys available through both direct buy and online auctions, you may find it overwhelming to start a collection. However, start with what you love and your collection will begin to fall into place if you follow a few simple guidelines.

Learn to Identify
- Like any famous toy brand, Steiff is often counterfeited, with knockoffs often successfully passing as originals. Instead of buying blindly, learn to smartly collect Steiff by looking for the ̶0;button ear̶1; trademark. Many vintage and modern Steiffs include this tiny button, many of which are silver in color. Many items also come with a tag sewn somewhere to the plush animal̵7;s body. If you come across a white tag with black print, you can categorize this as a common/replicated Steiff item. The red-printed tags are much more valuable and should be placed into your collection as a limited-edition item. Finally, yellow tags tell the collector that the plush is just a general manufactured item from Steiff.
Understand the Line
- Steiff̵7;s product line exists in two distinct segments -- toys and collectibles. Collector items are obviously more ideal for someone hoping to start a collection of Steiff and include such items as Teddy bears made with natural materials, including mohair and wool. Toy items also can be considered hot commodities if they are older or rare and usually include baby items or a child stuffed animal made out of woven fur. Sometimes an item will fall into both segments, but customarily they are divided.
Track and Appraise
- Use a list of complete Steiff items or look up a particular item in a Steiff database (see References) to determine the value and rarity of an item. You also can use a complete list (available through contacting the Steiff company) to maintain a check sheet of which you have and which you do not, in case your collection grows quite large.
Join the Club
- Steiff has a club for collectors, which you can join and participate in events all over the world. This will assist you in growing your collection, allow you to receive exclusive/limited-edition items, and to network with other collectors. Joining the club is the most-effective way to locate officially authorized Steiff stuffed animals and keep track of the latest products available for your collection.

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