Comments on: Born in the ’50s: Steiff’s Zotty Teddy Bear

By: Steiffgal

Steiffgal — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 23:47:47 +0000

It is impossible to tell what you have and give a range of values without photos. I’d be happy to take a look; please send photos, measurements, and a condition description to me here at steifflife@gmail.com at your convenience.

By: Jackie

Jackie — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 19:10:55 +0000

I’ve just inherited a stieff zotty. He looks just like the larger bear in the picture in the very beginning of this article. I’d say he’s either 11 or 14″ for the life of me can’t find the tape measure. He’s in pretty good condition and has his chest and ear tag. Also his voice box still works. Just wondering his year and worth. Would be glad to send a picture if necessary.

Thanks!

By: Steiffgal

Steiffgal — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:40:02 +0000

Hello,
It is impossible to tell what you have without photos, and I’d be happy to take a look. Send them to steifflife@gmail.com at your convenience.

Hermann, another high quality German Teddy bear manufacturer, is known for putting darker outlines around the mouths of their bears. So it is possible that your Zotty bears were made by them.

Cheers, Steiffgal

By: Layla B

Layla B — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 01:36:10 +0000

i just bought four zotty teddy bears on ebay tonight and after i bought them i noticed that other zottys have dark outlines round the mouth and its not clear on the ones i bought if even there atall but everything else about the bears looks like other zottys i have seen. i am new to collecting bears and i am not sure if maybe the lines aren’t clear because they are old or if they are fake.on 3 of them the ear button is missing.

By: Steiffgal

Steiffgal — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 01:43:11 +0000

Sometimes I can tell (or at least narrow down the timeframe) with a few pictures. Please feel free to send a few to me at Steifflife@gmail.com

By: Lyn Foster

Lyn Foster — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:17:30 +0000

I have just aquired a zotty steiff but i dont know how old he is, hes blonde in colour and his chest patch is a lighter blonde, he doesnt have a tag or id but hes in good order just a bit of wear to his mohair,he has a squeaker box inside him but not working hes 22cm in height,could anyone tell me what age he might be.
thanking you in anticipation
lyn

By: Steiffgal

Steiffgal — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:53:32 +0000

Hi Joanne-

The chest patch is one of the hallmarks of a Steiff Zotty bear. So if he did not have this, he probably was not Steiff-which is totally fine!

As you can imagine, many German companies made “their” own version of Zotty, given his popularity. Hermann made a very similar looking Zotty as Steiff’s model, but he DID NOT have the chest patch.

So I would google images of the Hermann Zotty teddy and see if that rings a bell.

If indeed your Ted was a Steiff, I would be happy to work with you to find you a new/old one to fill the hole left by your childhood version. Just let me know!

Steifflife@gmail.com
Steiffgal

By: Joanne Savas

Joanne Savas — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 09:10:56 +0000

I was born in 1962 and given a ‘Zotty’ by my parents. Only today have I found out what type of bear he was. I lost him when I was 21 and to this day have not gotten over it! I can’t recall his chest being a different colour, though he was quite well worn when I lost him. His paws were quite an orange/tan felt. I remember my dad told me he was a German made bear, though I don’t recall any tags or buttons, he did however have a squeak when you pushed his belly. Would you know who manufactured the ‘squeaky’ Zotty?

By: Steiffgal

Steiffgal — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 23:05:47 +0000

Hi Pat,
If the bear you are talking about truly is a Zotty, $100 sounds like an awful lot for a relatively common bear in poor to fair condition. You should be able to find a Zotty on eBay or Craigslist, in a comparable size in good to very good condition with at least one form of ID, for the $100 or so.
Cheers,
SG

By: Pat D.

Pat D. — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 18:38:22 +0000

I was looking at a small open-mouth bear (9-10 inches) in an antiques mall which I think is a Steiff Zotty bear, though he lacked all identifying marks and tags. I don’t know how old he is. His still-longish fur seemed grayish, and I think his paw pads were lighter. I think the open mouth with darker detailing around the lips is very much like the pictures of Zotties I’ve seen. He had one eye missing, and loose joints on both legs and one arm. His price was close to $100.

I did not purchase him, but am wondering– it that a fair price for his condition? Did I pass up a bargain? Would repairing him be a mistake, if I did purchase him?

Thank you very much.

Pat Dunn