Saying Goodbye to Replica 1961

JustTeddies would like to bid farewell to one of our favourite bears of last year.

The last Steiff 1961 replica bear sold over the weekend. We are sorry to see him go but we are confident that he will be loved for generations.

This Steiff bear was an example of just how amazing Steiff products are. His build quality was unmatched, his fur was beautifully soft and his paws and feet were spectacular in tone.

At JustTeddies we are privileged to be able to offer all types of Steiff bears for sale, so we have a new replica bear for 2011. She is a 1925 green replica.

For all the latest limited edition bears released from Steiff please visit us at www.JustTeddies.co.uk.

The Creation of a Steiff Animal Part 1

The Creation of a Steiff Animal

Here at JustTeddies we are dedicated to telling the story of Steiff, weather its the biography of Margaret Steiff (founder), Richard Steiff (created the first teddy bear) or information as to how the magic of Steiff happens. This page is the latter.

This page gives an outline of how a Steiff animal is made.

Over 130 years ago in 1880, Margarete Steiff created the first ever soft toy animal, the first ever Steiff animal. She had noticed a pattern for an elephant in the magazine Modenwelt. The materials needed were felt, two 10cm long white bone threading needles, fleece, two black porcelain buttons, a little silk thread and a piece of colourful material. Needles and scissors were her only tools.

The Steiff production factory today is a very different mechanism all together in modern times. The production process used highly precise and advantaced machinery, the staff who number in the thousands are a completely organised in order to achieve maximum efficiency.

Though the production process may have changed, Steiff remains dedicated to the unmatched quality that has seen its name become the most recognised worldwide for soft toys. Steiff has never wavered from its motto "for children, only the best is good enough".

Over the past 130 years millions of children have decided to give Steiff animals a loving home and a friend for life.

Research and Development

At the forefront of every Steiff bear, animal or accessory is the design itself. This fundamental principal has not changed in 130 years. Richard Steiff often visited Stuttgart's Nill Zoo, this was the only way to study animals and get the appropriate real-life detail necessary, at the time.

Today, Steiff designers travel as far as Kenya in order to study animals in their natural habitat in order to make the lifelike soft toy animals.

Once a design has been created materials must be chosen. Steiff are constantly pushing the boundaries of material design hence new styles of materials must be manufactured especially for production of a single item in some cases. Once all the necessary materials are available the prototype department produces a sample. This business process has also not changed in over 130 years.

Many Samples are made, using slightly different techniques and/ or interpreting the designs in different ways. The designer chooses a sample once they are satisfied and it is prepared for presentation to a committee of Steiff staff from various departments. All must approve for the product to go into production. Once the product is approved the final stage involves the development team, who must decide if they can effectively market this bear or animal. For example; does it use a new material? Is it created in a new way? does it represent a new style? etc.

If the development department is satisfied with the sample it is called a "hand-sample". It is given the "button in ear" as an official Steiff product and the sample ear tag denoting its status. When Steiff first began hand samples were given their own button or "Musterknopf" instead of a Steiff button. If one were to procure such a sample many years after its manufacture it would be worth a small fortune.

Up to ten identical copies of this hand sample are made, for various departments. These are given a tag with the words "type same" on it. These are used in various stage of the production as models. Then, just as 100 years ago, patterns are created. This was of course done tediously by hand taking hours back in 1890 but in modern times precision computer software creates the patterns to an incredible accuracy.

Once all the the equipment and materials are available in the Steiff factory. Even today this process takes months before production finally starts.

Production

Production begins with cutting. As materials differ in density strength and elasticity so must the cutting techniques differ. Mohair for example has a long pile which might get damaged by some industrial machines so it is cut. Depending on the length of the mohair either manual or electrically assisted scissors are used. This is not a simple process as the weave of the mohair must not be damaged or bald spots can appear later in production.

Felt and velvet on the other hand are much easier materials to work with as they can simply be stamped out.

Obviously when cutting large fabrics, extensive and clear stencil marks must be imprinted onto the material. This is done using a metal plate to mark on the material all the necessary contours of the shapes required.

Once all of the parts for a piece are laid out they must be sewn together. Every Steiff bear is individually sewn at a sewing machine. Steiff bears are sewn "inside out" in order not to show the seams. this is much more complicated than it may seem. The pile must be carefully stroked into the seam while sewing.

If you can imagine that Steiff produces millions of soft toy animals and teddy bears each year. The speed at which the staff are able to create the bears is simply remarkable. Today, as 100 years ago, nothing is left to chance. Each step in the production stage is carefully planned and documented. This ensures quality control. Steiff bears are sewn to the same standards as a designer fur coat.

Once all the parts have been sewn, they are turned the right way round rather like a sock though we are sure you can imagine that the smaller the part the more difficult this task becomes.

In modern times the insides of the Steiff soft toy animals are filled with synthetic filling that is washable and hygienic in every circumstance. Some, the Steiff replica bears are still filled with excelsior, a wood wool originally used to stuff the bears when they were first produced all those years ago (pre 1950). The Steiff bears receive their voices at the same time as they are filled. The voice box is inserted into the middle of the bears body surrounded by the filling so that it cannot be seen or felt from the outside.

After the stuffing process has been completed the bear or animal is put together piece by piece and the final seams are sewn shut. Jointed bears have hard cardboard discs at the points to be jointed. Two interlocking points are joined with a split pin, in this way the bear or animals limbs and head can bee attached to the main body of the piece yet still move independently. The jointing techniques were first adopted for the "cute little bear" (roughly translated) range that began over 100 years ago.

The most important features of a bears expression are its nose, eyes and mouth. For this reason Steiff bears are hand stitched in these areas to give the precision necessary to create the perfect expression. Even the glass eyes are hand threaded into each Steiff bear.

The finishing touches are all that remains, these are applied by experts, with a sturdy hand and years of experience these staff members use air brushing to add highlights and shading to the finished bear. This is perhaps the most important stage of the process as one slip can ruin a bear.

Finally bells, bows, ribbons etc are all added to the finished bear. It is scrutinised by the quality control department and given a brushing down to get rid of any unwanted fluff.

Once this is completed the bear is given its "button in ear" marking it forever as a Steiff bear. A member of an elite family that grows every year.

For more information please feel free to contact us at www.justteddies.co.uk.

Margarete Steiff, a Short Biography Part 1

Appolonia Margarete Steiff was born in Giengen Germany on the 24th July 1847. She was the third child in a family with four children. The Steiff family consisted of the two parents, Margaretes two older sisters and her younger brother.

Margarete Steiffs father, Friedrich Steiff was a master builder in Giengen and her mother Maria Margarete Steiff, ran the household and supported her husband in his his work.

Margarete Steiff contracted polio at just 18 months old, confining her to wheelchair for the rest of her life. This is and was of course a terrible tragedy for anyone to endure, especially in the 19th century. this meant that Margarete Steiff mother would have to care for her for the rest of her life. Margarete would never have been able to take on the role of housewife and mother and at this time in history, seemed to have no prospects for the future.

The apparently helpless margarete Steiff had other ideas. She had a very cheerful and positive outlook on life, this made her very popular. She always wanted to be involved with in any outdoor activities whatever the weather and was always asking friends and family to carry her outside even during winter months.

Margarete Steiffs family was very close and loving, she was able to stay with various family members and even neighbours throughout the year in order to give her immediate family a break from her care.

When the time came for Margarete Steiff to start school, her family became very concerned that the organisation needed at the time to send such a disabled person to school would make it impossible for Margarete to get a proper education. To their delight this turned out to be much more simple than they had feared due to the amazing community spirit in Giengen, a quality which Steiff members credit to this day. Margarete Steiff was accompanied by neighbour children to school as well as her sisters. A family friend who lived near her school would carry young Margarete up the school steps.

Though her work was above average, Margarete Steiff, like most children spent her free time playing with other children wherever possible. As an extremely creative person she spent hour designing games or planning playful activities so that she could take part.

Margarete Steiff very quickly unearthed her most important natural gift as this early time in her childhood. She learned how to talk to people in a way that made them want to do what she wanted.

Margarete Steiff looked after young children while their mothers work at work in order to help re-pay all the people who had helped her throughout her life. She was hard working and unspoiled.

Margarete Steiff underwent unsuccessful surgery on her legs when she was under 10 years old. This was a traumatic experience but one that made her mature as a person. It was after her recovery that she expressed her wish to attend sewing school. Friedrich Steiff was initially against the idea, afraid that she would fail and that this would add to the disappointment of the unsuccessful operation. Despite this the youngest girl in the Steiff family asserted herself and show her parents that they had once again underestimated her ability.

Although at first it too Margarete Steiff a long time to finish her work, she also had to ask for help from the other Steiff women to complete all of it in time, she became a brilliant seamstress after a few years.

Keen to overcome her limitations and broaden her horizons Margarete Steiff also learned to play the zither, a guitar-like instrument where the strings do not extend beyond the sounding box. She became able to give lessons on the use of this instrument in later years.

At the age of 17 Margarete was forced to come to terms with the fact that her legs would never work and that she could never recover from the illness that had plagued her childhood. this focussed her on a career in sewing, one that she pursued with absolute determination. In 1874 Friedrich Steiff converted the ground floor of their house, converting the study into a dressmakers workshop.

together with her sisters Marie and Pauline Steiff, Margarete began to perform sewing work at home. the workshop became well known in Giengen and the three young Steiff ladies became the first people in the town to buy their own sewing machine.

The list of customers for Steiff dresses became longer and longer. Although Margarete made all types of dresses, she much preferred making children's clothing.

Steiff Teddy Bear Replicas

Replicas - A past to touch, experience and love.

It is a fascination which has already made history. A fascination of the here and now - and a fascination with which each and every Steiff friend and Steiff collector is continued into the future: the fascination of Steiff replicas. Each and every Steiff stuffed animal and teddy bear has its very own personality, which has its very own story behind it. Steiff bears are born to be part of a story to be shared with their owner.

Each Steiff teddy bear of the limited replica edition is a fascinating entity, an entity which brings the flair of the past into the now: because each replica teddy bear, from head to paw, fibre for fibre, seam for seam is a faithful recreation of the very first teddy bear from the very first day. The Steiff teddy bear is lovingly hand made and decorated with traditional tools and in accordance with the original design - as only in this way can the sort of perfection Steiff strives for be possible.

When you make your acquaintance with the new Steiff replicas, you will see it and experience it: these Steiff bears are very special indeed. Unique. Charming. With strong character. Unmistakable and unbelievably lovable. These superlatives are what replicas of today have in common with their likeness from the past.

For that reason, it is not surprising that the most senior teddy bear among the teddy bears, who himself is more than one hundred years old, should be so proud of the Steiff family of replica teddy beras. A big family of Steiff bears that, from year to year, grows ever so slightly. Steiff replicas are simply the most perfect Steiff bears, happiness and satisfaction is guaranteed.

Every single Steiff replica teddy bear has a black and white "button in ear", so Steiff friends and Steiff collectors can always know which bears to look for.

New Steiff Limited Edition text

LIMITED EDITIONS - Particularly beautiful. Particularly rare.

Welcome! the Steiff animals from the limited editions welcome you to the club of rarities and special beauties. How do they become members of this exclusive circle?

Well, they must have a very distinct, striking personality, these warm, bright and honest eyes, with a penchant for making themselves scarce - and remaining so.

And, the but not least, they must radiate something incomparable. This comes naturally to the Steiff animals and teddy bears of the limited editions: because as real rarities from the Steiff factory, every animal is also a representative of a historical event or a certain era, or devotes itself completely to a certain occasion or anniversary. Every Steiff limited edition impresses with their love for detail, lovingly nostalgic look back to things long forgotten or to a very special moment full of feeling. Can there be a more beautiful way of keeping touching memories alive?

That's why Steiff are also a little proud that the "limited" attribute of their animals from the Steiff factory also always makes them "especially desirable" for Steiff friends and collectors. The animals from the Steiff worldwise limited special editions always find new friends, owners and a new home particularly fast.

You will get to know the members of this Steiff "Elite Club" a little closer on our "Steiff limited editions" page here at JustTeddies. And should you, while browsing this page, have that magical feeling of "love at first sight" for an animal, you should follow your impulse spontaneously and quickly show your new favourite animal the way to his new home.

Because one thing is certain: you won't be alone in wanting to own one of these amazing Steiff limited edition bears.

Steiff Bears Finally out of China!

In 2008 Steiff teddy bears decided to slowly repatriate the production of their teddy bears from china back to Germany.

The homecoming of Steiff bears, famous for their "button in ear" comes 6 years after Steiff decided to join the trend of manufacturing in China.

In talking to the head of Steiff sales in the UK JustTeddies have learned that Steiff will not put a price on reputation or on quality.

Steiff products being made in China had dampened Steiffs seemingly untouchable reputation as the worlds highest quality teddy bear maker.

Interestingly quality is not the only problem that Steiff had over in China, employee loyalty was also questionable. This was noticed because it can take up to 3 years to train someone to manufacture to Steiff quality and efficiency standards. The main problem in China is that the work force moves much more than in the UK or Germany, workers often simply move jobs a couple of times a year depending on which factory is paying the highest wages at the time. This is clearly unacceptable when producing high quality Steiff products.

Another problem is the Steiff products are targeted for counterfeiting, a serious problem for whom the main culprit is China.

We should state that it was only ever the baby and infant range of Steiff that was produced in China for example the "My First Steiff" seen above. Limited edition Steiff bears, classic Steiff bears and Steiff animals have always been made in Germany.

At JustTeddies we have also found that their will be new designs to the Steiff baby range items once manufacturing begins in Germany again.

100 Years of "Button in ear"

Margarete Steiff introduction

The story of Margarete Steiff is filled with fairytale quality. Margarete contracted polio when she was just 18 months old, which meant that she would spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair. However, this spirited and courageous young lady took her life into her own hands - not allowing a disability to divert her. She learnt sewing and tailoring and soon became a very skilled seamstress. She started up her own small business, initially making ladies' and children's clothing. Little did she know, when she was working on a little fabric elephant to be used as a pincushion, that she was laying the foundation stone for the international company of the future - Margarete Steiff GmbH. Steiff had been born.

Richard Steiff, nephew of Margarete, joined his aunt's company in 1897. He was to become, after his aunt, the second most influential figure in the Toy Industry and the most important figure in the history of the Teddy bear. In 1902 Richard Steiff designed the very first jointed Teddy bear, a bear gifted with movement and a bear that would take the world by storm. Thus, the company name became synonymous with high-quality soft toy animals the world over. The first teddy bear was made from cuddly soft plush, the same material that many of the "Cosy Range" teddy bears are made from to this day.

Founded in 1880, Margarete Steiff GmbH has pursued excellence with determination, fuelled by their guiding principle "Only the best is good enough for our children".

From humble beginnings the enterprise blossomed into the world's most famous soft toy company. From Japan to America the word Steiff is synonymous with excellence.

Today the company embraces its history, and in doing so embraces innovation, imagination and perfection. Proud of our heritage yet forward-looking and venturesome, Steiff never stops chasing dreams.

The company's extraordinary and unequalled ability in bringing comfort and companionship to millions provides the perfect reason to celebrate a million occasions.

The birth of a trademark

100 years of "Button in Ear"

To protect Steiff products from imitation and plagiarism, Franz Steiff, Margarete's nephew, invented the legendary "Button in Ear" in 1904, one of the first trademarks of the 20th century.

Since 1 November 1904, therefore, every Steiff animal has sported the characteristic button in the left ear, which makes the products unmistakeable and unique.

To prevent imitation, the term "Button in Ear" was also registered as an official trademark on 20 December 1904, and was given legal protection on 13 May 1905.

Thanks to this brilliant idea of Franz Steiff's, the Steiff "Button in Ear" brand has developed to become one of the world's oldest and most well-known brands.

100 years of 'button in ear'

In 1902, Steiff invented the Teddy bear and presented him to the public at the Leipzig Trade Fair in 1903. It didn't take long for the Steiff Teddy bear to become most children's favorite toy and many adults fell in love with it, too.

With this tremendous success, many competitors started to copy Steiff products. Consequently, Steiff had to find a way to distinguish their creations from its competitors. There was a general agreement that a company trademark was needed, that had to be permanently attached to the products.

Up until this point in time little cardboard tags were used, fastened to the body or the clothing of animals and dolls showing an elephant with a trunk raised in the shape of an "S" for Steiff. As these labels could be torn off without difficulty, Franz Steiff, one of Margarete Steiff's nephews, wanted a more permanent trademark and invented the "Button in Ear".

The elephant button!

After several alternatives had been tested, a metal button embossed with the elephant having an S-shaped trunk was finally chosen and attached to the left ear of every product. The new trademark was born and the "Button in Ear" has been firmly fixed to all Steiff products since November 1, 1904. An application for registration of the "Button in Ear" trademark was submitted on December 20, 1904 and the registration was confirmed in writing on May 13, 1905.

The metal button with the elephant design was only used in 1904 and 1905 and was thereafter replaced by blank buttons and buttons with the word "Steiff". As the elephant button was in use for such a short time only, items bearing this trademark are considered a great rarity today.

PLEASE NOTE, THE BEAR AT THE TOP OF THE SCREEN HAS THIS ELEPHANT BUTTON IN EAR, THERE IS ONLY 1 LEFT.