Southwb says:
12:24 PM
Hello
12:24 PM
Are they in good condition? Do they have any damage?
12:25 PM
JACUSTOMER-02zkn0bc- has entered this chat!
tracyjo1968 says:
12:26 PM
They are in good condition, although they are old and a little discolored, like yellowed on the white parts. They could probably be hand washed, but I don't want to do that unless I know it would be okay and wouldn't harm them or their value.
Southwb says:
12:28 PM
Puppets were a line of stuffed animals that Steiff put out as early as the 1910s. They became more popular in the 1950s and early 1960s. They had over 25 different animals and styles that the puppets were designed after. Today they remain very collectible and desirable Steiff collectibles. Each one was tagged and had the button in the ear(a trademark of Steiff), each one was also covered in colored mohair.
tracyjo1968 says:
12:30 PM
Sounds exactly like the ones I have. I was born in 1961, my brother was born in 1960, and we received these puppets as gifts at some point when we were kids, so I know it was in the 1960s. So any idea what they are worth, or a starting point? We are thinking about selling them and have no idea where to start. And should they be washed?
Southwb says:
12:31 PM
Firstly never wash steiff or any old toys as they may receive damage in the wash and old mohair will not hold together in water.
12:32 PM
As far as value your Steiff puppets based on your description and their condition have the following fair market values:
tracyjo1968 says:
12:32 PM
Good to know. That is why I haven't yet. Most antiques shouldn't be washed or restored, I think. I wouldn't have put them in a washing machine, but rather washed them by hand. But I certainly WILL NOT wash them now.
Southwb says:
12:33 PM
Grey Striped Cat:$75-$125 fair market value
12:33 PM
Tiger:$125-$175 fair market value
12:33 PM
I would insure them as a pair for $500 replacement value.
12:34 PM
Yes antiques, are more desirable with the aged patina rather than the clean "new" look
tracyjo1968 says:
12:34 PM
Okay. Thank you very much. Any idea of a website where I could post them for sale? Do you think E-Bay would be good? What do you mean "insure" them? Do you mean if I was to ship them or something? Then insure them?
Southwb says:
12:36 PM
Ebay is a market more for buyers than sellers, My top picks for getting the best money for my items are Rubylane.com, Goantiques.com Tias.com and Etsy.com The insurance value is for loss or damage of the items, if you ever had to make an insurance claim. All professional appraisals contain both a fair market value and an insurance value.
tracyjo1968 says:
12:38 PM
Can I insure them without a professional appraisal? Or am I getting that from you right now? If so, how would you document that? Do you email appraisals or something? Might be worth more if I sold them with an appraisal, you think?
12:39 PM
Or would you actually have to see them in person for an official appraisal?
Southwb says:
12:41 PM
This chat box is your professional appraisal you may use this as the appraisal value. As far as value your Steiff puppets based on your description and their condition have the following fair market values:
Grey Striped Cat:$75-$125 fair market value Tiger:$125-$175 fair market value Signed Wm. Lewis 3/18/2012
12:41 PM
You may use this in your for an appraisal value.
12:42 PM
your for sale listing(sorry it cut off
tracyjo1968 says:
12:42 PM
Okay. Now I have to figure out how to print this and my printer is not working. I'll see what I can do. Do you know how I could save this chat session onto my computer?