Hey everyone! Once again, I am delving into unknown territory and looking into the wonderful world of Steiff and other mohair stuffed animals through the 20th Century! The first question that came to my mind, because sometimes I am a little dense, is what exactly is mohair? Mohair comes from the wool of the angora goat known for it’s sheen and luster and its exceptional ability to take dye. Mohair is also considered to be a luxury fiber like cashmere or silk and has been used in the making of stuffed animals since the 19th Century. The most notable toy maker using mohair is of course the one and only Steiff. Early Steiff animals used mohair in blonde, white, dark brown, cinnamon, apricot, and black colorations. Only a handful of bears through the 1920’s was made in black and is rather desirable, but that doesn’t mean that the other Steiffs are any less loved. In fact, it is important to note that not all Steiffs have the Steiff button which can make sometimes make identification more difficult. During WWII the button was not used due to metal shortages so be wary when tossing aside a mohair stuffed animal because it may just be an unmarked Steiff! We have a great collection coming up so here’s a little sneak peek for you! For all you cat lovers out there we have numerous Tabby cats waiting to be cuddled! If you are a fan of good old-fashioned teddy bears, then you’re in luck! We have a great assortment of humpback teddy bears in an array of colors. Love marine mammals? We have Robby the seal and Paddy the walrus ready to play. If mammals aren’t your speed and you prefer reptiles or amphibians, we have Slo the turtle and Froggy the frog waiting for you to take them home! It may be September, but the holidays are around the corner, and we have miniature Steiff bears waiting to for a chance to be yours. For nostalgic reasons, I think the miniature bears are great gifts for young children. Back when I was in elementary school, a family member gave my sister and me miniature blonde Steiff bears in tiny little Christmas stockings. They look great on a Christmas tree during holidays and add a little fun to bookshelves the rest of the year! We have a little something for everyone so check us out and adopt your own little fuzzy friend!
