GUEST: This was given to me by my dad's oldest sister, and I believe she was born in about 1908. And she told me she did not get the bear the year she was born; she got it on her first birthday, and it was given to her by some family friends. There were three children in their family. She said they all played with it. It doesn't look like it's been played with very much. But she never had any children, so she gave it to me many years ago and just told me to keep her bear.
APPRAISER: How many years have you had it?
GUEST: Almost 30 years.
APPRAISER: This Steiff bear was made in Germany by Margaret Steiff. This bear was made between 1903 and 1910. It was a family occupation for her, and she just made them for friends, and then they became so popular, they started manufacturing them. And her bears are the most sought after bears that are made. If you look at the top, the button is marked "Steiff." The condition of this one is really excellent. Also how you can tell it's a Steiff is that it has shoe-button eyes, and also the arms are a lot longer, okay, and the feet are a lot larger. This is a very unusual color, the dark brown. It's mohair. Normally, it's not in this condition because it's a sought-after material for moths, and the condition is really good considering it's a mohair bear. I only see a little wear on the nose, which doesn't take away from the value. Another thing that this bear has going for it is the size. The size is a very unusual size and a very collectable size. If this bear was at auction, it would bring between $1,500 and $2,000.
GUEST: That's wonderful!
APPRAISER: At one time, this bear would have probably been anywhere between $5,000 to $8,000, but the market has changed.
