Margarete Steiff was born in 1847 and died in 1909. She was from Giengen, Germany and led the most remarkable, inspirational life, shaping history as she lived.
At 18 months old a high fever resulted in Margarete contracting Polio, and losing the use of her legs, and leaving her with a painful right arm. Never one to be deterred, she fought hard to lead a normal life, attending school and qualifying as a seamstress. Later, she began working for her sisters in their dressmaking shop, but soon found herself running her own ready-to-wear clothing business, that became so busy, she was able to employ other seamstresses.
Always open for other ventures, a pattern for a fabric elephant pin cushion caught her eye, and she set about making some for her friends as gifts. They were greatly received, but not for their intended use, but as comforting, cuddly toys for their children. From here Margarete Steiff set about crafting other fabric animals, and by 1880 the foundation was laid for Margarete Steiff GmbH. Her vision, determination and zest for life, have turned her company into the international, worldwide success it is today, continually embracing, the memory that is Margarete Steiff.
An official Steiff Bears UK stockist
World of Bears is an official stockist of the famous Steiff Teddy Bear. Steiff Bears not only provide the perfect companions for young children and adults alike, but they are recognised worldwide for their premium design features. Each toy is cuddly and soft, and the classic bears can spread their arms to give a warm hug to their new owners.
As one of the best Steiff Bears UK retailers, we work closely with top brands like Steiff to source products for our customers. So if there’s a specific bear or soft toy you’re looking for, let us know and we’ll try our best to find it for you.
If you are a collector or you’re shopping for a gift, it’s important to always shop with an official retailer like us. With the fame that comes with such a celebrated bear, Steiff toys have sadly been counterfeited over the years. Stockists like us work hard to help customers find only the most authentic products, and are happy to advise on the best ways of identifying genuine Steiff toys.
Shop a huge range of Steiff Teddy Bears
The Steiff collection of soft toys has grown extensively over the course of the century, evolving to more than just the Steiff Bear. While Steiff Teddies remain as the most iconic collectors’ favourite, there are many exciting new ranges to explore, including:
- Farm Animals plush toys
- Cats plush toys
- Dogs plush toys
- Fantasy Animal plush toys
- Baby soft toys
- Arctic and Marine toys
- Dinosaurs plush toys
- Miniature Friends
- Personalised Bears
- Protect Me range
We also have some beautiful limited edition Steiff soft toys that are every collector’s dream, as well as other product ranges like our wedding collection, children’s play sets, keyrings and pendants, and Christmas gifts.
For serious collectors who are looking to invest in the most magical pieces, we also have a Steiff rare vintage range, featuring some designs that are very hard to come by.
Why trust World of Bears?
At World of Bears, not only do we offer some of the rarest collections of Steiff Teddies (including high value vintage toys), but we also provide a specialist repair service for Steiff toys. If you have a special friend that needs a little extra love and care, we’re here to help!
Shop Steiff Teddy Bears online with us today. Or If you have any questions about our Steiff range, get in touch with our friendly team today.
FAQs
Q: How can I be sure I am buying an authentic Steiff Bear?
Always shop with an official stockist like World of Bears. Steiff replicas are getting more and more authentic-looking, and many now even feature a copy of the original ear tag and button. To avoid these scams, it’s best to get your bears from a trusted retailer, like us, instead of auctions and second hand sites.
Q: Are all Steiff products ready to ship?
All soft toys displayed on our website are ready to ship. To find out more about shipping times/costs, see our delivery information.
