plush toys | The Vintage Toy Advertiser

Since 1880, Steiff has been making plush toys and collectibles that set the world standard for quality. Each Steiff animal is meticulously hand-sewn and hand-finished by our staff of talented artisans in Giengen, Germany. The company is perhaps best-known for its bears – Steiff invented the Teddy bear in 1902. Since the firm was founded by Margarete Steiff in 1880, more than 16,000 different designs for animals have been created. Vintage Steiff pieces are regularly sold on the secondary market for thousands of dollars.

Steiff animals are made from mohair, alpaca, cashmere, 100 percent cotton velvet, 100 percent wool felt, and valuable woven plush – a material usually reserved for the high fashion industry. Manufacturing is still done by hand in our 103-year-old factory in Germany. Steiff products are often considered family heirlooms and are passed from generation to generation.

Steiff toys last so long because they are extremely well-made and vigorously tested – surpassing all U.S. and international toy safety standards. Vintage Steiff toys from the company’s earlier years have sold at auction for more than $100,000. Collectors treasure Steiff products for their artistry, beauty, and lasting value. Children love their friendly faces, cuddly fur, and realistic designs. When “only the best” is good enough, Steiff is the only choice. Steiff North America, Inc.

Margaret Strong Bears / The Strong Museum

1985 catalogue

1986 catalogue

Hamleys catalogue page, 1983, UK

Steiff catalogue scans from the 1974 / 1975 winter / fall catalogue. US.

: Steiff 2. FAO Schwarz 1974 1975 Winter Fall catalogue. US.

: Steiff. FAO Schwarz 1974 1975 Winter Fall catalogue. US.

: Steiff 3. FAO Schwarz 1974 1975 Winter Fall catalogue. US.

Post updated with new scans 08/05/23. Information taken from SteiffUSA,com

“Don’t make a monkey out of me”

The cute thumb-sucking plush monkey called Monchhichi was created by the Japanese Sekiguchi Corporation in 1974. The doll came in male and female form with a wide range of clothing and accessories available. Other characters included two Grandparents, a Policeman, a Guardsman, and the “Friends of” series such as Kitty-boo the cat, Hoppy-boo the rabbit, Larry-boo the lamb and Honey-boo the bear.

In the UK and US the doll was renamed Chic-a-boo. In France as Kiki, in Italy Mon Cicci, in Denmark Mon Chhichi then later Bølle, in Hungary Moncsicsi, and in Spain as Virkiki. As well as dolls, Monchhichi also appeared in a number of TV series, music recordings, and household items, including a range of special pencil toppers given away in French washing powder packs – which we will take a look at later in this post.