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145. THE FIRST STEIFF TEDDY BEAR, THE ROD BEAR,

with swivel head with embroidery thread sewn mouth, gutta percha black nose and eyes, jointed limbs with black thread sewn details, mohair covered excelsior stuffed body with interior steel rod (see x-ray photo) and felt paws, 15" tall.

In 1902 Richard Steiff began experiments to produce a bear with a flexible jointing system, one of which was a string jointed system and the other a rod-jointed bear. Made for only one year, the rod bears are now extremely rare. Richard Steiff launched the rod bear, also called the 55 PB at the Leipzig Toy Fair in 1903.

Slight sun fading, and very minor wear to mohair on snout, else VG++.

(EST $8000-$10000)

Price Realized: $17,250.00

Price includes buyer's premium.