Middle Brother Rare Steiff Polar Bear Eisbaer All ID

There is a family reunion in my shop! I am pleased to introduce you to the middle brother of the Eisbaer ([polar bear) family, who, like his bigger and smaller brothers, has all ID. Eisbaer’s 17-cm size is denoted by the “17” in his article number. The number is faded, but you can read it: 0460/17. If you can’t read it from my picture, you will definitely be able to in person. Eisbaer is a bit of a runt; he measures only about 14 cm high, or approximately 5 1/2 inches, to the middle of the top of his head. I say “middle” because Eiesbaer’s head is sweetly cocked to his right side. His head doesn’t swivel, but you get the same effect as if it did.

Eisbaer is from the final series produced of this bear, but I can narrow now his production from both ends. The entire series was made from 1968 to 1972, but because Eisbaer’s flag is anchored by his incised script (so-called “lentil”) button, you know that the next year, 1969, is the earliest he could have been made. Although 1972 is the last year this series of Eisbaer was made, you know he would not have been produced in that year, since his chest tag is the old-style with a bear’s head—the one in use from 1953 to 1971. That means that 1971 is the last year he could have been made. His date range, therefore, is only three years. Eisbaer’s chest tag means he has already passed the half-century mark; you’d never know it to look at him! I have no problem saying that Eisbaer is in excellent condition, and I mean that absolutely, not “for his age.” If you want to bring age into it, you can say he is in excellent condition DESPITE his age.

Eisbaer’s mohair could not have been whiter 50-plus years ago when he left Giengen, and although he may have had a bit more airbrushing originally than he has now (probably there was some rose coloring), Eisbaer still has lots of nice airbrushed accents, including on the back of his chubby behind.

Eisbaer’s mohair coverage is full, with a tiny bit of all-over thinning. Actually, I believe this may be the way he was made, and if it is thinning, it is really inconsequential. Another aspect of Eisbaer’s wonderful condition is (are?) his felt footpads. The felt is clean, with no evidence of wear, and it is still what I like to call “ripe cantaloupe” color. I am embarrassed to say that I am not absolutely sure what his collar is made of. It looks like leather, at least on the upper side. If it is synthetic, it’s a wonderful substitute; it looks nothing like the plastic collars you sometimes see on newer animals. In any case, his collar is in like-new condition.

I can’t think of anything else to mention, but please write if you have a question. It would be wonderful if all three of these rare brothers could stay together, but I hope you will consider adopting at least TWO. 🙂

WHATEVER YOU DECIDE TO DO ABOUT EISBAER 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.