View source for Steiff

{{short description|Plush toy company based in Germany}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox company
|name=Margarete Steiff GmbH
|logo=
|former_name=
|type=[[Stuffed toy]] manufacturer
|traded_as=
|industry=Stuffed toys
| founded =[[Germany]], 1880
|founder=[[Margarete Steiff]]
|location_city=[[Giengen]]
|location_country=[[Germany]]
|area_served=Worldwide
|key_people=
|products=Teddy bears, etc.
|brands=
|revenue=
|operating_income=
|net_income=
|aum=
|assets=
|title=
|publisher=
|format=
|equity=
|num_employees=
|divisions=
|subsid=
|homepage={{official URL}}
}}

[[Image:Steiffmargarete.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Margarete Steiff]]]]

'''Steiff''' is a [[Germany|German]]-based plush toy company, founded in 1880, with headquarters in [[Giengen, Germany]]. The company claims to have made the world's first factory-made [[teddy bear]].<ref name="NYT">{{Cite news |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/23/IHT-hes-soft-hes-tough-hes-steiff-survivor-of-the-cold-cruel-world-market.html |last=Schmid |first=John |title=He's Soft, He's Tough, He's Steiff / Survivor of the Cold, Cruel World Market : Who's King of Teddy Bears? The Inventor Has It All Sewed Up |date=December 23, 1997 |publisher=International Herald Tribune |access-date=July 20, 2023 }} {{subscription required}}</ref>

==History==

Steiff was founded in 1880 by [[Margarete Steiff]], a seamstress.<ref name="Milwaukee">{{Cite news |url=https://www.marquette.edu/cgi-bin/cuap/db.cgi?uid=default&ID=5964&view=Search&mh=1 |last=Gehman |first=Richard |website=[[Marquette University]] |publisher=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]] |date=December 17, 1961 |title=The Power Of A Teddy Bear |access-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721025230/https://www.marquette.edu/cgi-bin/cuap/db.cgi?uid=default&ID=5964&view=Search&mh=1 |archive-date=July 21, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Steiff: The Story">{{Cite web |title=The Steiff Story |url=https://corporate.steiff.com/en/company/history/ |access-date=July 21, 2023 |website=Steiff.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606054436/https://corporate.steiff.com/en/company/history/ |archive-date=June 6, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> She began making fabric elephants that were sold in her shop as [[pincushion]]s.<ref name="Steiff: The Story" /><ref name="Piqua">{{Cite web |website=Piqua Public Library |url=https://piqualibrary.org/content/pincushions-piqua-story-wilson-family-steiff-collection |access-date=July 21, 2023 |title=From Pincushions to Piqua: The Story of The Wilson Family Steiff Collection |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203204751/https://piqualibrary.org/content/pincushions-piqua-story-wilson-family-steiff-collection |archive-date=February 3, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Ebeling |first=Ashlea |date=December 29, 1997 |title=Hot Investment Tip: Teddy Bears |work=[[Forbes]] |access-date=July 20, 2023 |url=https://www.forbes.com/forbes/1997/1229/6014062a.html?sh=7094d9b42f50 }}</ref> However, children began playing with them, and in the years following she went on to design many other animal-themed toys for children, such as monkeys, donkeys, horses, camels, pigs, mice, dogs, cats, rabbits, and giraffes.<ref name="Steiff: The Story"/>

In 1893, Margarete's felt fabric factory was founded in Giengen, Germany.<ref name="Steiff: The Story"/> In 1895, the first Steiff products to be sold outside Germany were sold at [[Harrods]] in [[London, England]].<ref name="Steiff: The Story"/>

===Earliest Steiff teddy bears===

In 1897, Margarete's nephew, [[Richard Steiff]], joined the company and gave it an enormous boost by creating stuffed animals from drawings made at the zoo.<ref name="WaPo" /><ref name="BBC-Shipwreck">{{Cite news |work=[[BBC]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-14231337 |last=Cronin |first=Frances |title=The great teddy bear shipwreck mystery |date=July 26, 2011 |access-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417000012/https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-14231337 |url-status=live |archive-date=April 17, 2014 }}</ref> Richard attended the School of Applied Arts in [[Stuttgart]] and studied in [[England]]. He designed the world's first plush bear with movable arms and legs, known as "55 PB".<ref name="BBC-Shipwreck" /><ref name="Steiff: The Story"/><ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.barnebys.com/blog/steiff-the-teddy-bear-empire|date=August 1, 2021 |magazine=[[Barnebys|Barnebys Magazine]] |location=[[Stockholm]] |title=Steiff: The Teddy Bear Empire |access-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722043724/https://www.barnebys.com/blog/steiff-the-teddy-bear-empire |archive-date=July 22, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Image:Nachbildung 55PB Steiff Museum Giengen.jpg|thumb|upright|A replica of a Steiff model ''55PB'', the first Steiff Bear; Steiff-Museum [[Giengen]], Germany, 2006. No original examples are known to survive.]]

In 1903, a 3,000-piece order was placed by a buyer in America after the "teddy bear" craze began due to a popular cartoon of President [[Theodore Roosevelt|Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt]] and a young cub in ''[[The Washington Post]]'' in 1902.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="BBC-2002">{{Cite news |date=December 3, 2002 |title=Teddy bear celebrates 100th birthday |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2537943.stm |work=[[BBC]] |access-date=July 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030813082749/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2537943.stm |archive-date=August 13, 2003 |url-status=live }}</ref>

By 1907, Steiff manufactured 974,000 bears, and the company has been increasing its output ever since.<ref name="WaPo">{{Cite news |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2002/11/12/the-teddy-bears-birthday/a54b224d-1444-4435-8704-126dde6a5c25/ |access-date=July 20, 2023 |title=The Teddy Bear's Birthday |date=November 12, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720233720/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2002/11/12/the-teddy-bears-birthday/a54b224d-1444-4435-8704-126dde6a5c25/ |archive-date=July 20, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Titanic teddy bears===
[[Image:Steiff Trauerbär.jpg|thumb|upright|Black teddy bear which was produced in memory of the Titanic]]

In 1912, in the aftermath of the ''[[Titanic]]'' disaster that left Britain in mourning, a British toy retailer ordered black Steiff teddy bears to bring comfort to the public. They did not sell very well and production was soon halted, with just 494 made in five different sizes. Today, they are highly coveted by collectors due to their historical relevance and scarcity.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/teddy-bear-made-cash-titanic-24301037 |title=Teddy bear made to cash in on Titanic disaster of 1912 sells for £22k |last=Norris |first=Phil |date=June 25, 2022 |work=[[Media Wales|Wales Online]] |access-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625055236/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/teddy-bear-made-cash-titanic-24301037 |archive-date=June 25, 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Company growth to present day===

In 1909, when Margarete died of pneumonia, Richard continued his aunt's legacy and further expanded the toy and plush line.<ref name="Steiff: The Story"/> He also became the largest stockholder of the company.<ref name="MLive-blog">{{Cite news |url=http://blog.mlive.com/citpat/2008/07/museum_stuffed_with_history.html |title=Museum stuffed with history |access-date=July 22, 2023 |date=July 20, 2008 |last=Flory |first=Brad |work=[[MLive Media Group|MLive.com]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722210708/https://www.mlive.com/citpat/2008/07/museum_stuffed_with_history.html |archive-date=July 22, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1925, the Steiff company started using assembly line production to keep up with the high demand.<ref name="Steiff: The Story"/> In 1931, Steiff partnered with [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]] to manufacture the well-known Disney characters.<ref name="Steiff: The Story"/>

By the 1960s, Steiff was known as the largest [[stuffed toy]] maker in the world.<ref name="Milwaukee" /> By 1968, according to ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'', the company had 2,100 employees and generated $14 million annually.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,900234,00.html |title=Toys: The Steiffs of Giengen |date=June 21, 1968 |access-date=July 22, 2023 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |location=New York City |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722234254/https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,900234,00.html |archive-date=July 22, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1980, the Steiff Museum opened in Giengen. This event marked the 100th anniversary of the company.<ref name="Steiff: The Story"/> The museum has many artifacts from Margarete Steiff's life.<ref name="NYT3" />

In 2017, Steiff had revenues of €45 million, or $51 million according to the average exchange rate for the year.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/in-quest-for-growth-german-toymakers-keep-it-real-126806 |title=In quest for growth, German toymakers keep it real |date=February 5, 2018 |newspaper=[[Hürriyet]] |access-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528012359/https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/in-quest-for-growth-german-toymakers-keep-it-real-126806 |archive-date=May 28, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Luxury teddy bears===

In 2008, Steiff launched a limited-edition [[Karl Lagerfeld]] teddy bear with a price of €1,000.<ref>{{Cite news |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-steiff-bling/kiddy-bling-new-thing-for-teddy-bear-maker-steiff-idUKTRE51A3PZ20090211 |title=Kiddy bling new thing for teddy bear maker Steiff |last=Kuehnen |first=Eva |date=February 11, 2009 |access-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721005733/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-steiff-bling/kiddy-bling-new-thing-for-teddy-bear-maker-steiff-idUKTRE51A3PZ20090211 |archive-date=July 21, 2023 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2018, Steiff and [[Tiffany & Co.]] collaborated to offer a luxury teddy bear. The 10.5-inch, caramel-colored mohair teddy bear retailed for $375.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brill |first=Pamela |date=March 22, 2018 |title=Steiff, Tiffany Partner on Collectible Plush Teddy Bear |url=https://www.giftsanddec.com/business-news/steiff-tiffany-partner-collectible-plush-teddy-bear/ |access-date=July 22, 2023 |website=Gifts & Decorative Accessories |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507052504/https://www.giftsanddec.com/business-news/steiff-tiffany-partner-collectible-plush-teddy-bear/ |archive-date=May 7, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Notable auctions===

Vintage Steiff teddy bears are prized by collectors, and depending on the type can bring significant sums at auction. In a 1994 auction, the Steiff "Teddy Girl" made in 1904 sold for a record $165,000.<ref name="Houston">{{Cite news |last=Kientz |first=Renee |url=https://www.chron.com/life/article/antique-o-rama-it-s-a-bull-market-on-early-2066993.php |title=Antique-O-Rama: It's a bull market on early Steiff bears |date=January 27, 2002 |newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]] |access-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601032948/https://www.chron.com/life/article/antique-o-rama-it-s-a-bull-market-on-early-2066993.php |archive-date=June 1, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2000, a Steiff [[Louis Vuitton]] Teddy Bear, with eyes made of sapphire and diamonds, and with gold parts, sold at an auction in [[Monaco]] for $2.1 million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Most Expensive Teddy Bear |url=https://www.luxurytopics.com/luxury-toys/fancy/the-most-expensive-teddy-bear |access-date=July 20, 2023 |website=Luxury Topics |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505184150/https://www.luxurytopics.com/luxury-toys/fancy/the-most-expensive-teddy-bear |archive-date=May 5, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2001, at a London [[Christie's]] auction of vintage teddy bears, a pair of Steiff teddy bears made in 1908 went for sale with an estimated value of about $20,000.<ref>{{Cite news |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/2001/05/09/0509pow.html?sh=728c2b145a77 |title=Teddy Bear Heaven |date=May 9, 2001 |access-date=July 20, 2023 }}</ref>

In December 2002, "Edwin", a {{frac|5|1|2}}-inch Steiff teddy bear that accompanied a British soldier, Percy Kynnersley-Baddlely, killed in the [[Battle of the Somme]] in 1916, was sold for £4,230.<ref name="BBC-2002" /><ref>{{Cite web |title='Edwin', a British 'soldier' teddy bear |url=https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4014464 |work=[[Christie's]] |date=December 3, 2002 |access-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230723010644/https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4014464 |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2010, a 1925 Steiff Harlequin teddy bear sold at a London Christie's auction for £46,850.<ref>{{Cite news |work=[[The Guardian]] |agency=Press Association |title=Hedge fund boss bear collection sells for £1m |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2010/oct/14/hedge-fund-boss-sells-teddy-bear-collection |date=October 14, 2010 |access-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720235017/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2010/oct/14/hedge-fund-boss-sells-teddy-bear-collection |archive-date=July 20, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Craftsmanship==

The Steiff company motto, as styled by Margarete Steiff, is "Only the best is good enough for children".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://corporate.steiff.com/en/company/ |website=Steiff.com |title=The world's most famous soft toy company |access-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429155729/https://corporate.steiff.com/en/company/ |archive-date=April 29, 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> The company uses natural fibers such as [[mohair]] in their products.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://corporate.steiff.com/en/company/quality-promise/ |website=Steiff.com |title=Quality as part of our identity |access-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505184147/https://corporate.steiff.com/en/company/quality-promise/ |archive-date=May 5, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> Steiff products are subject to meticulous testing and inspection.<ref name="NYT2">{{Cite news |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/14/business/worldbusiness/14iht-steiff.2.14481596.html |title=For some, 'Made in China' doesn't fit |publisher=International Herald Tribune |location=Giengen, Germany |date=July 14, 2008 |access-date=September 18, 2024 }} {{subscription required}}</ref><ref name="Spiegel">{{Cite news |newspaper=[[Der Spiegel (website)|Spiegel International]] |url=https://www.spiegel.de/international/business/outsourcing-gone-wrong-german-toymaker-steiff-pulls-out-of-china-a-670481.html |title=German Toymaker Steiff Pulls Out of China |date=January 7, 2010 |last=Schiessl |first=Michaela |access-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206173426/https://www.spiegel.de/international/business/outsourcing-gone-wrong-german-toymaker-steiff-pulls-out-of-china-a-670481.html |archive-date=December 6, 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> They are required to be highly flame resistant, and, among other things, smaller pieces such as eyes must be able to resist considerable tension, wear, and tear.<ref name="People">{{Cite magazine |magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]] |author=Bronwyn |url=https://people.com/parents/classic-toys-st/ |title=Steiff: Classic toys still make the best friends |date=October 2, 2007 |publisher=[[Time Inc.|Time]] |location=New York City |access-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721054712/https://people.com/parents/classic-toys-st/ |archive-date=July 21, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> A large amount of the work is done by hand.<ref name="NYT2" /> It takes eight to 12 months of training for a seamstress to develop the skills to make Steiff bears that meet the company's strict quality standards.<ref name="NYT2" /><ref name=Spiegel />

The iconic "button in ear" tag was devised in 1904 by Margarete's nephew Franz to keep counterfeits from being passed off as authentic Steiff toys. It is made of metal. The button is still used to distinguish authentic Steiff toys from fakes.<ref name="NYT3">{{Cite news |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/07/14/travel/shopper-s-world-steiff-s-lair-for-bears.html |date=July 14, 1985 |last=Markham |first=Stephanie Reed |title=Shopper's World; Steiff's Lair for Bears |at=sec. 10 p. 12 |access-date=July 22, 2023 }} {{subscription required}}</ref> The tag originally had the symbol of an elephant,<ref>{{Cite episode |network=[[PBS]] |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/appraisals/1903-steiff-rod-teddy-bear/ |title=1903 Steiff 'Rod' Teddy Bear |date=June 17, 2006 |series=Antiques Roadshow |season=Vintage Tucson 2021, Hour 1 |number=2504 |access-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603062324/https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/season/11/tucson-az/appraisals/1903-steiff-rod-teddy-bear--200601A24/ |archive-date=June 3, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> and it was later replaced by the name "Steiff".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://corporate.steiff.com/en/company/button-in-ear/ |title=An identification that makes our brand a legend. |website=Steiff.com |access-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530184745/https://corporate.steiff.com/en/company/button-in-ear/ |archive-date=May 30, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.steiffteddybears.co.uk/ Steiff Website in English]
* [https://www.steiff.com/en-us Steiff USA Official Site]
*{{IMDb title|id=0443432|title=German Margarete Steiff Biographical TV movie}}

{{Teddy bears}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Steiff}}
[[Category:Companies based in Baden-Württemberg]]
[[Category:Toy companies of Germany]]
[[Category:Teddy bear manufacturers]]
[[Category:Toy companies established in the 19th century]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1880]]
[[Category:German companies established in 1880]]