Richard Steiff Teddy Bear by Steiff - 32cm

Margarete Steiff founded Steiff in 1880 and was joined in 1897 by her nephew Richard Steiff. He was to become the most important figure in the history of the teddy bear. Richard was a talented artist and to get ideas and inspiration he would often visit zoos to sketch the animals. He was particularly fascinated with the brown bears and wanted to make a soft toy that would capture their spirit and charm. Starting with stationary bears made from a course fabric called berlap, Richard then designed the classic bear on wheels. Still not happy that this toy captured the movement of the wild bear he loved, he then spent years developing a limb jointing system. 

In 1902 Richard Steiff designed the very first jointed teddy bear, which had string jointing. This was followed by rod jointed bears and then in 1905 Richard’s perfected bear with the revolutionary disk jointing, which is still used today. These bears were gifted with movement and over the following years their descendants took the world by storm.

Richard had a penchant for tailored suits with stand up collars and stylishly accentuated button plackets which he wore with a white shirt. Made from the finest grey mohair; the Richard Steiff teddy bear has been created to commemorate his sartorial style and his innovative disc joint system. 

He is limited to 1,902 pieces and comes with his numbered certificate in a Steiff gift box with its original protective cardboard outer sleeve.

• Size: 32cm / 12.5 inches
• 5-way jointed
• Age: 14+
• Surface washable

Margarete Steiff GmbH is the oldest and most famous teddy bear and soft toy manufacturer in the world. Founded in 1880 by Margarete Steiff, the company motto is “Only the best is good enough for our children”. Credited with inventing the first teddy bear in 1902, the company is best known for its “Button in Ear” trademark.