Starting A Teddy Bear Collection

What's the first thing you think of when you hear someone say "I collect teddy bears"? If you are like most people, the first things that come to mind are: Boyds Bears, Build a Bear, Vermont Teddy Bear, Beanie Babies or even antique Steiff teddy bears. However, there is a whole other world out there of teddy bear collectors and you can easily carve out your own niche. Follow along as we discussed some of the things you need to know to become a better teddy bear collector.

First of all, buy only what you really like. If you purchase a teddy because you can not live without it, changes are you will always be happy with your choice. If the bear happens to increase in value over time, count that as a bonus, but don't let investment be your first criteria. And then, before embarking on really expensive vintage bears, do your homework first by reading what you can, handling old bears at shows, and working with an established dealer whom you can trust. If you enjoy going to auctions,thrift shops,garage sales,and flea markets you have a great source for teddy bears.

You can find both antique and modern collectible bears for your collection. A smart teddy bear collector is a better teddy bear collector. Make sure you educate yourself as much as possible and you'll be sure to spend your money wisely when you buy your next collectible teddy bear.

There are a large number of collectible price lists or history books on teddy bears that you can find in your local library or in any bookstore. Always keep your eye out for something new to continue your education and you'll continue to grow in knowledge. You can also check out to see if there are any local teddy bear collector groups or you can check on one of the ones that are online.

With the way the Internet works today you can become a part of the club that has members from all over the world. Many of these collector clubs have newsletters that can give you some very valuable information and you might even be able to trade back and forth with fellow members. When you purchase a new teddy bear, be certain to save all packaging, inserts and tags.This enhances the value if you ever decide to sell. With collecting teddy bears with investment in mind, this is extreemly important.

A modern teddy bear without the original packaging has virtually lost its value. With antique teddy bears of course this is not an issue. For an antique teddy bear to have its original box is indeed a rare thing. Cleaning a teddy bear, other than simply brushing it to get rid of dust or using a white cloth to wipe lightly, should only be done by a professional. you can quickly ruined the value of a teddy bear if you don't clean it properly in the room the texture of the for or fade the colors.

Any major repair job should also be done by a professional to maintain the value of a vintage or antique teddy bear. If you're one of those collectors who likes to collect new teddy bears, make sure you keep all your receipts, all the tags and all the boxes that your new teddy bear comes in, if any. If you ever have to sell any part of your collection in the future, the more information that you have as to when you bought it along with all the accessories, will make your teddy bear much more valuable.

Collectors like to be able to know the "pedigree" of each bear whenever possible new more information you can supply the better it will be. Teddy bear collecting is a great pastime. It is enjoyed by thousands of people around the world as it has been for more than 100 years. There are so many different manufacturers and types of bears that you can always find something unique to collect when it comes to teddy bears. Remember to always collect teddy bears you love and you'll never be disappointed.