Steiff Toys: 'Only the best is good enough for children'

Created at the end of the 19th century by Margarete Steiff, the famous plush toys Made in Germany are nowadays a trademark of quality. The company was created in 1880 and later in 1902 took over by Margarete's nephew, Richard who launched the production of the teddy bears, out of which almost one million pieces were created since.

At the beginning, Margarete designated elephants, used as pincushions, but once she noticed children playing with them around the house, she decided to produce them as toys and even to diversify the design to dogs, cats or pigs. Nowadays, you can find by Steiff almost all the possible animals, each of them waiting for loving children hugs.

The motto of the company, a belief hold until today is: 'Only the best is good enough for children'. Each stuffed animal sold is the product of many hours of careful inspection and testing. The eyes, for instance, should be very resistant to tension, and the materials used for the production are highly flame resistant.

At the end of the inspection, a button in ear - Kopf im Ohr - is placed, the final touch that certifies the authenticity of the product and its successful confirmation of the quality. The metal button was recently introduced, in order to fight counterfeighting. 

A significant part of the work is done by hand, from design to production, hence the usual high price you might pay for a beautiful and cute teddy bear. But most of them are for life, that toy that accompany your life until the old age and you give it further on to your children and grandchildren.

The materials used for the cover are usually alapaca, felt or mohair, fine choices aimed to avoid harming the children or with a high anti-allergenic occurence. The stiffing is made by polyester fiber.

Usually, the Steiff store provides important pieces for the dedicated collectors.

Young or toddler, or just fascinated by children toys, any Steiff store is a destination for childhood dreams. Maybe this time you don't buy anything, but just looking around makes you feel in Wonderland. And this feeling can be enough.
Pictures took at the Steiff Store in Osnabrück, Germany