About.com Rating

The Bottom Line

Linda Mullins is the "Queen of Bear Books" with numerous titles. All her experience is evident as she comes up with a Steiff Guide that is a must-have book for Steiff lovers and would-be collectors.



Pros

• Excellent Research Tips
• Exceptional Photos
• Price Guide for Replicas & Special Editions

Cons

• None

Description

• Tips on Buying for Investment and Buying/Selling Online.
• The Identifying Your Steiff chapter can help you figure out just about any Steiff you might have.

• Timeline of Steiff History.
• Exceptional pictures with only a few "cutesy ones" (a good thing). Prices are shown with pictures.
• Price Guide Index covers replicas and special editions from 1980 - 2001 in easy-to-use table form.
• Published by Hobby House Press.

Guide Review - Steiff Identification and Price Guide

The Steiff Company has a rich and long history with soft toys. Margarete Steiff first introduced toys in 1880, therefore to completely cover the entire history would take a set of encyclopedias -- not just one or two books. But this books gives you a place to start, covering the relevant details and history.

Examples of different toys over the years, along with the identification guide, can help you date your pieces as well as give an approximate value. There is also a chapter devoted to special editions, Disney Convention and club pieces. I've already used this book myself to figure out more about a few pieces in my own collection, toys that I couldn't find elsewhere!