Big Brother Rare Steiff Murmy Marmot (Squirrel Cousin) All ID Beautiful Coloring 1960-1962 ONLY

This is the big brother in the two-sibling family of Murmy marmot, both of whom are rare because of a very short production time. This Murmy is even harder to find than his 10-cm brother. Although the little guy was made for very few years—only from 1960 to 1964, big brother was made for two fewer years—only from 1960 to 1962! His size is designated on his flag by the “14” in his article number, 2314,00 (more on that below).

As happens quite often, I really don’t know what measurement to take that will yield 14 centimeters. Murmy is just over 9 cm, when measured to the top of his head, about 3 3/4 inches. My inclination to measure that way is because I interpret Murmy’s pose as standing. Steiff designates him as a lying animal, which is why the first digit of his number is a “2.” Even if I measure him in the horizontal, “lying” position, and even if I omit his tail, Murmy is 19 centimeters long from his nose to his rear end, about 7 1/2 inches, and with his tail (which is not stuffed and therefore flexible) fully extended behind him, he measures 10 inches long. You still don’t know what is supposed to be 14 centimeters, but you have enough data to plan for his display if he comes to live with you.

I would say that Murmy is in very good condition, and I mean DESPITE his age, not “for his age,” whatever that means. I judge all animals on the same absolute scale, whether they were made over 60 years ago, as Murmy was, or 10 years ago. You can find antique Steiff animals in pristine condition, and you can find new ones that are ready for the trash. Murmy’s minor shortcoming is some wear along several of his seams, the worst two areas of which are the seams that run down either side of his tail, and about one inch of the seam that starts where his lustrous white mohair meets his chin, continuing about 1/3 of the distance to his chest tag.

As you should be able to see, Murmy’s luster and coloring are gorgeous. His white is pristine, and his upper body is a beautiful auburn, but not simply one shade of auburn; there are several different shades blended together. Occasionally peeking out of the auburn and adding to the luster are the white lower parts of every auburn strand of hair. This is a good example of the adage that a picture is worth 1000 words. It is easier just to take in Murmy’s wonderful coloring than to read my attempted description of it. I only hope that what you see on your monitor looks like what I see on mine.

OK, now I have to tell you about Murmy’s flag. I have no idea what the person who put Murmy together in Giengen was thinking! Murmy’s cute folded-over ears are given stiffness and permanence with a coating of glue. The glue was supposed to cover each half of the folded ear and dry with the ears in a “v” shape (another thing that’s hard to convey verbally). 😉 The inside half of the “v” of Murmy’s left ear is the flat surface on which his button and flag are placed. Think of a Foxy or a Molly dog, whose ears are not stiffened with glue, but the same “protected” effect is produced because those dogs’ ears are sewn to their heads. Even though a Molly’s button and flag may be deep inside her ear, you can carefully pull her ear out a bit to see what’s inside.

For some reason Murmy’s creator DID NOT WAIT FOR THE GLUE TO DRY. The button and flag were inserted into the one side of the “V,” and Murmy’s ear was allowed to dry and harden with both sides of the “V” together, “imprisoning” 🙁 his button and flag and sealing them off from view. VERY CAREFULLY, I managed to pull the sides of Murmy’s ear apart to some extent, so you could see his article number and the shiny edge of his button. I dared not do more for fear of causing damage to Murmy’s ear or to the side of his head. And then I had the difficult task of taking a picture to show you. PHEW!

As I describe any condition issues my Steiff animals have, I am always clear to distinguish goofs or “booboos” created at the factory, making sure to explain that those “birth defects” are not damage, and I do not take them into consideration when I am describing any condition issues. Murmy’s left ear is probably the craziest birth defect I have ever come across, and thanks to my patience and care, I have put Murmy almost back into the condition that he should have been when he left the factory. Therefore, you should not hold this against him, and consider him for your collection as the rare and worthy creature he is.

WHATEVER YOU DECIDE TO DO ABOUT MURMY OR ANY OF MY OTHER STEIFF ITEMS, PLEASE BE SURE TO SEE THE ARTICLE I HAVE WRITTEN ABOUT STEIFF ID FRAUD—INCLUDING COUNTERFEIT CHEST TAGS—(AND OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR COLLECTORS). YOU WILL FIND THE LINK ON THE BOTTOM RIGHT OF MY SHOP HOME PAGE UNDER “FAVORITE LINKS.” IF YOU HAVE NOT LOOKED AT IT RECENTLY, I UPDATED AND EXPANDED IT IN MARCH, 2023.