Mechanical teddy bears could nod, even walk
Are the Schuco stuffed bears made by the famous German Schuco company that made the very collectible toy cars?
The German company started making clockwork and other mechanical tin toys in 1912 as Schreyer & Co. in Nuremberg, Germany. The name was changed to Schuco in 1921. The company designed and made many clever toys that moved.
Teddy bears were added during the 1920s, and some were miniature bears that held a bottle inside. The famous “Yes/No” bear moved its head when you moved its tail up and down or side-wise.
The business faced many reorganizations, and new companies formed in Germany and the U.S. until 1972, when the company declared bankruptcy. It was later acquired and is now part of Simba Dickie Group, a major toy company.
The Schuco company in the U.S. made teddy bears in the 1920s with black button eyes. A few years later, the bears had jointed arms, jointed legs and flat feet, and by 1925, some of them could walk.
Q: I saw a Rookwood vase marked with the Rookwood mark and “ETH” at an antiques show. What does that stand for?
A: That is the monogram of the artist Edward Timothy Hurley (1869-1950), who worked at Rookwood from 1896 to 1948. His vases with landscape designs done at Rookwood sell for high prices. Hurley also did etchings, pastels and watercolors. He made several pieces in bronze and was an author and illustrator of several books. His large vases call for thousands of dollars. Current prices
Prices are recorded from throughout the United States.
■ Spice rack, six Aunt Jemimas labeled with spice names, red rack, 4 inches, 7 pieces, $145
■ Bronze sculpture, Ready to Fly, nude girl, on toes, arms spread, geometric base, 9 x 5 inches, $235
■ Stuffed tiger, plush, orange, brown and cream mohair with green glass eyes, reclining pose, Steiff, 1950s, 20 inches, $245