To give small children (somewhat) valuable old Steiff teddies?

[wackyracer123]

I have a relative who died not long ago, we hadn’t been close since I was a child, and so she left me her collection of Steiff animals since I’d liked them when I was little.

They’re very sweet, and I’d like to give three of them to my DC but from googling, it seems like the ones I like are selling for £60-£80, which seems excessive to give to children that will potentially break them.

What concerns me more though is whether it’s right to give children something 60/70 years old. I always admire vintage and antique things but never buy them because I couldn’t imagine myself using them. Until now I’ve thought it should all be well preserved in a museum to look at.

I can’t see the point in toys that aren’t for playing with. My kids play with a hundred year old heirloom rocking horse; it gives me a lot of pleasure seeing them and their friends enjoying it.

Toys on high shelves and locked away in boxes make me sad. Same with violins in bank vaults that are deemed too valuable to be played. What a waste.

I don't really understand the monetary value thing. It's hardly a king's ransom. People regularly spend that amount of money on all kinds of other toys that their children will actually play with and which will eventually break or be grown out of or discarded. A teddy bear isn't an ornament, it's a toy. Why not buy a nice vase if you want something to sit on a shelf looking pretty?

Teddy here goes through the washing machine at least fortnightly. I'd wait till they're older.

@lazylinguist

Steiff bears aren’t toys.

The Steiff website disagrees with you.

"it became clear to her how important high-quality and lovingly designed toys are for children. Her belief that “Only the best is good enough for children” is our company philosophy and shapes both our work and every toy that leaves our production."

Incorrect. Quite clearly OP is talking about expensive collector bears, not your average everyday bear.

In which case, Steiff clearly states under these products:

This product is not a toy and is intended for adult collectors only.

So no, the bears OP is on about are collectors item only and not toys.

@Rinoachicken

That’s so sad that you think Steiff bears aren’t toys. My eldest DS is 11 and has ASD. He takes a small blue ‘my first steiff’ bear literally EVERYWHERE with him. The poor bear has definitely been through some trials and adventures and I think any other bear would not have made it, but being a steiff its well made and can survive most things. Because he can’t be without it I have managed to get a secret spare off eBay (though his much lived bear now looks nothing like the pristine original!).

Steiff do have strictly collectors items, and that’s fine, and the OPs instance I would probably treat the bears as collectors items as that’s how her own relative kept them, and possibly passed them on with the expectation that they would be similarly carefully kept and cared for.

But to say all Steiff bears are not for playing with his just silly, and very sad.

Again, it’s quite clear OP is talking about expensive collector bears, not your average everyday bear.

Steiff themselves state under these bears:

This product is not a toy and is intended for adult collectors only.

So no, they are not toys.

@MessAllOver

Teddy here goes through the washing machine at least fortnightly. I'd wait till they're older.

So would I. Older Steiff bears were stuffed with wood wool (or some similar) and made from natural materials. They would disintegrate in a modern washing machine.

@lazylinguist

I'd give them to them. Unless you're planning in selling them, what does it matter if they're worth £60-£80? They're just toys. They were made to be played with.

This. They were made to be played with.

This. They were made to be played with.

VinylDetective No, they weren’t made to be played with. The collectors bears are stated that they are for adult collectors, and are not toys at all.

OP hasn’t said they’re collectors’ bears. She merely said they’re Steiff, whose strapline is For children only the best will do!.

Vinyl by they're very being, Steiff bears are collectors bears.

@FortunesFave

Vinyl by they're very being, Steiff bears are collectors bears.

They’re not. There are plenty of people buying new ones for their children or grandchildren to play with.

www.steiffteddybears.co.uk/steiff-cosy-teddy-bears-range/

I have bought 3 new Steiff bears for my children and they are definitely toys.

To play , no. For a photo, to hug when they haven’t just eaten, to sit on a shelf in their room as a sort of Sunday best toy yep.

Are they expected to hugely increase in value? Because at £60-£80 you're hardly going to retire on them are you? Unless you think they're going to increase at least 10 fold I'd either let the kids have them or display them yourself now of that'll make you happy or if you don't really like them sell them and let someone else enjoy them. But then I tend to live by that useful or beautiful line for keeping stuff.

Fuck no. Sell them and give them some cheap ones.

@Yeahnahmum

Fuck no. Sell them and give them some cheap ones.

This is so sad. I’m horrified that people are so disrespectful of family heirlooms. And so pleased that there are still people who cherish their ancestors’ treasured belongings.

Presumably your relative left you the toys you loved as a child because she thought you’d treasure them and they’d give your children pleasure too. Were you allowed to play with them when you were little, OP? If so, there’s your answer.