Starting a teddy bear collection can be an enjoyable hobby. Many don't even intend to begin collecting teddy bears, it just happens. It usually begins with the teddy bear that you had as a child, the one you could never part with throughout all your growing years. If you saved your favorite teddy bear, chances are you have a pretty good start to your collection.
If you are unfamiliar with bears from the past, it might not be a bad idea to purchase a book or reference guide to help you along. There are a variety of books on the market to help you gain knowledge of some of the most popular bears over the last one hundred years.
If you are someone who enjoys browsing through thrift shops, rummage sales, and flea markets, teddy bear collecting may be perfect for you. These are just several locations where you may find collectible bears to begin or add to your collection. If you are already knowledgeable about some of the most popular teddy bears to collect, you may want to try browsing through online auctions. Auctions are a fantastic resource for locating rare and hard to find teddy bears.
Your online search will be much easier if you know certain names or types of teddy bears you are looking to purchase. Collecting rare teddy bears for value will require a bit more time and patience, as well as knowledge. This is why I suggest researching the different types of identifications each bear should have. Knowing the identifications each manufacturer uses will help you build a valuable collection of teddy bears.
A hobby like collecting teddy bears can be enjoyed by everyone. Many are surprised to learn about all the history that goes along with all the antique and teddy bears from the past. When you are out searching or browsing online for your next teddy bear, take a few moments to learn about each manufacturer and it's history. This type of knowledge will certainly help you while collecting bears in the future.
Amy Janicek is the publisher of
BearBids.com, a website featuring a variety of collectible teddy bears for sale. Visitors to the site can browse, bid, and buy collectible teddy bears from manufacturers such as Steiff, Gund, Ideal, Merrythought, Hermann, Chad Valley, Chiltern, and more.
