Middle Sister Adorable Steiff Bessy Cow Happy Open Mouth 2 IDs

This sweet happy girl’s name is Bessy. She is the middle sister of three. Her catalogued size is 17 centimeters, which is denoted by the “17” in her article number, 3910/17. The “3” is all but gone from Bessy’s flag, but the rest of her article number, although faded, is discernible in my picture. This model of Bessy was made from 1968 to 1973. I can date Bessy a little more precisely because her flag is anchored by an incised-script, “lentil” button. The earliest date for this Bessy is 1969.

Bessy is quite the runt compared to the catalogue. She measures just over 14 cm high to the top of her head, about 5 1/2 inches. A whole lot of cuteness is packed into those inches. Bessy’s big round black and white googly eyes and open felt-lined mouth make her quite appealing. And Bessy’s condition, while not perfect, certainly adds to her appeal.

Bessy’s most noticeable condition issue is the stronger rust color of her markings on her right side. Bessy’s left-side markings are a golden orange. Of course, when you look at Bessy from one side the colored markings within that side are consistent. The way to make the comparison in one view is either by looking at her behind, as I am showing you in my third image, or the view from above, as I am showing you on the left side of my sixth composite image. I am guessing that Bessy was once displayed with her left side facing a window. Because she has such a sweet expression, I think you would want to display her facing front. With that view, there is essentially no difference in the colored markings on either side of her face.

Bessy’s side-to-side color disparity is really her main condition issue, so I would say that she is in very good condition, and I mean DESPITE her DECEMBERbe more than 50-year age, not “for her age.” I evaluate condition of all of my Steiff animals on an absolute scale. You can find pristine antique animals as well as those made just a few years ago that look terrible.

Bessy has some scattered areas that seem a bit thinner, but they are fairly inconsequential, and the only other thing I want to mention is that she has lost her “moo.” She is so tightly stuffed that I can barely detect her squeaker, but nothing happens when I press in on her belly. If you display Bessy facing front, as I have suggested, you will be so taken with her sweet face looking back at you from your vitrine each time you walk by, you would not know (or care) whether she made a noise.

There is one noteworthy good thing I want to mention about Bessy’s condition. Her velveteen dewlap is pretty much the white color it was originally, with only the faintest small areas of darkening. In general, the velveteen of all colors in Steiff animals is quite subject to darkening, and the white velveteen areas of animals who have them (little Gussy kitten’s muzzle is another example) can often be tan or even dark brown. 🙁 In fact, all of Bessy’s white areas are a true white; I wouldn’t even call them “ecru.”

One other good color feature of Bessy is her felt lined mouth. The underlying felt is still what I would call a “ripe cantaloupe” color with no fading and no soil. In addition, Bessy retains some rose-colored airbrushing, which, while probably less than she had originally, is still noticeable. Her udders are covered with the same color felt.

Bessy’s leatherette collar is like new. I am not showing it to you, but there is another Steiff button on the left side of the buckle, under the end of the collar. Bessy’s original bell is still attached to her collar, and while it is tarnished, it is otherwise in fine condition, and it still has its clapper. Also still attached to the ring that holds her bell, is the grommet that was once inside Bessy’s chest tag. Obviously, the grommet serves no purpose now, except to remind you there was a chest tag. 😉

I can’t think of anything else to tell you, but please write if you have a question. You or her lucky recipient (if you can part with Bessy once she arrives) will be “udderly” delighted with her.

WHATEVER YOU DECIDE TO DO ABOUT BESSY 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 DECEMBER, 2022.