If you think about that one staple toy in every girl’s toy chest – which has survived through ages – teddy bear is something which will come to your mind at the very first instance. However, do know for a fact that vintage teddy bears are not only popular among children but among adults as well. You can read up about people who own collections of antique teddy bears. So, one can well understand why “vintage teddy bears for sale” continue to command significant attention even today. If you want to build your collection of vintage teddies as well, you should acquaint yourself with the features that help you to identify the exact time around when they were manufactured. Read on to know more.
Pay Attention To The Makers
If not the easiest, one of the easiest ways to identify a vintage teddy bear would be to read its label. Some manufacturers are known solely because of their vintage productions. Some of the makers of the vintage teddy bears are still highly sought-after – which means their products are premium and thus cost more as well. So, as an aspiring teddy collector, make sure you’re reading up about the makers as much as you can. This will definitely help you make an informed decision.
The Fabric
What else should you remember while buying vintage teddy bears for sale?The fabric is definitely one of the most important factors that should govern your choice here. Going through this rundown might as well help you:
- In the 1920s, artificial silk plush – rendered in variant colours – was one of the most frequently used materials
- Nylon plush came to used only in the late 1930s
- Mohair – a silky and tender fabric derived from Angora goat fleece remained popular until the 1950s
- In the 1950s acrylic plush came to be used widely
- Sheepskin is another popular “vintage” material used increasingly in the 1930s and 1940s
- The times after World War I witnessed the rise of cotton
- The old Australian manufacturers used a lot of rexine as well
Shape and Other Factors
The shape of the teddy bears has evolved with time as well. Keep this particular factor in view if you’re in the process of buying vintage teddy bears. For example, the earliest of teddy bears actually came with longer limbs and pointed snout. The rounder cuter versions with stumpy short stumpy limbs became popular only in the 1950s.
Do you know about the vintage teddy bears with unjointed splayed arms? They made their appearance in the scene only in the 1960s and 70s. It was in the 1960s that the plastic joints were introduced. So, if you’re actually trying to identify the age of a teddy bear based on its features, then keep these points in view.
Reach out to reliable stockists of antique teddy bears in order to get your hands on authentic stuff. Make sure you’re actually checking the credentials of the professionals before buying from them.