Sweet Steiff 5xJointed 11-inch Gold Original Teddy Bear ID

I looked in my records to see the last time I helped a 28-cm gold Original Teddy (OT) find a new home, and I had to go all the way back to 2007, before I opened my Ruby Lane shop. As a matter of fact, I found only one other gold OT of that size, who was adopted the previous year. While I have facilitated the relocation of other gold OTs and other 28-cm OTs (there is one of each in my shop now), that particular combination of color and size has eluded me. Therefore, I am delighted to present this handsome boy to you!

Teddy has only his button and a smidgen of his flag, so I cannot be more specific than to say he was made sometime between 1951 and 1964, and that he could be a member of either of the two series that were made during that time period. Although the earlier series of this OT was actually made starting in 1950, Teddy was most likely not made earlier than 1951; I say that because of his raised script button. But until 1958, his flag would have had article number 5328,2. If Teddy was a member of the second series, his article number would have been 5328,01, and that would mean that he was made sometime between 1959 and 1964. I say he could have been in either series for two reasons, and their appearance together reinforces that conclusion. Teddy has the combination of glass eyes and an early style raised script button with skinny letters.

As either of those article numbers indicates with its “28,” Teddy is exactly in accord with the catalogue; he measures 28 cm to the top of his head, or 11 inches.

Because I assess an animal’s condition absolutely, DESPITE his age, being “only” 59 😉 and looking as nice as he does is probably slightly less of an accomplishment than his looking the way he does but having been made 72 years ago. The point I am making is that Teddy’s condition is what it is, and it is not appropriate to make his age PART of the assessment of his condition. That was a long way to tell you that saying Teddy is anything “for his age” is meaningless.

Teddy has a few minor signs of wear, so to be conservative I will say that he is in very good condition. For the most part, his mohair coverage is full. He has a touch of wear around his muzzle (but his black floss nose and mouth are perfect). The other place with a little bit of wear—actually more a “depression” than wear—is the place on his chest where he once was pressed to make him “roar.” I believe that depression is also the place where his chest tag was attached. In any case, neither there nor around his muzzle constitutes serious wear.

Teddy’s felt paw pads and foot pads are fine; they are clean and do not suffer from wear or moth nibbling. The color of the felt is a pale orange, rather than the “ripe cantaloupe” color they were when Teddy was new. I have seen—and I am sure you have too—felt parts of Steiff animals that are in far worse condition, but, like his slight mohair wear, they are small things that cause me to be more conservative in rating him.

The last minor thing I want to report is the condition of Teddy’s ribbon. As you should be able see from my various pictures, the ribbon is in reasonable condition—NOW. Its original coral color was obviously more saturated when Teddy was new but it is quite acceptable now. When Teddy arrived, his ribbon looked far worse; the part of the bow facing outward was seriously faded, and although I did not want to replace it, I thought it was a minor detraction to his all-over very nice visual appeal. Amazingly, I managed to reverse the bow without untying it; I wet it and let it dry in the now-reversed condition, and unless you look behind the loops, you would never know how faded it was. I am showing you an inset in my sixth composite image, where I have one loop of the bow facing the way it was originally next to the other.

I already mentioned Teddy’s muteness, and to the extent that his current silence is a change from his one-time ability to “roar,” it is something he lacks. But, as is always the case, I count a non-working squeaker extremely low on my hierarchy of condition issues. I assume my animals will be going to the homes of adult collectors, who will put them on display, where they can be admired and appreciated for their visual appeal. I cannot now remember which of the many animals in my own vitrines can “speak” and which are now silent, and I don’t care! I assume other collectors feel the same way.

Teddy has lots to admire. His gold color is rich and could not have been any different when he left Giengen. The apparent color differences you see are the fault of my photography; Teddy’s color is absolutely uniform; it is not only a rich gold color, but it is lustrous too.

And finally, Teddy’s glass eyes make his expression very sweet. Whether Teddy will be sweetly looking back at you from your vitrine or looking back at his new owner in another location if he is intended as a gift (if you can part with him!), he will be a wonderful addition to the collection of the person whose hug he joins.

Well, that’s all I have to tell you; the pictures should do the rest. Please write if you still have a question, and while you are in an OT frame of mind, please consider my others, including this boy’s same-size white brother with all IDs!

WHATEVER YOU DECIDE TO DO ABOUT TEDDY 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.