'Titanic' Steiff teddy bear sells for £22,320 at Newbury auction

Who doesn't love a teddy? Well some didn't like the special black Steiff made after the sinking of the Titanic, but now they are highly sought after and someone really wanted one when went under the hammer in the Teddy Bear, Doll, Dolls House and Traditional Toy auction at Special Auction Services in Newbury today (Tuesday, June 21).

Among the auction highlights was the very rare Steiff black mohair teddy bear c1912, which sold for £22,320.

This style of black Steiff is from a special order made for the UK in 1912, only 494 bears were made in five sizes.

It is believed that this order was made due to the sinking of the Titanic. When the Titanic sank many of the dead were from the UK and the country went into mourning, shop windows were draped in black and people wore black armbands. It is believed that a British toy retailer decided it would be a good marketing opportunity and ordered these black bears, but they were not good sellers – they are now one of the most sought-after bears among collectors.

Read more on the sale, the 18th-century dolls house and Belsen dolls at https://www.newburytoday.co.uk/lifestyle/dolls-house-could-fetch-20-000-at-newbury-auction-9259898/

The auction continues tomorrow.