Since
the inauguration of Steiff marking their products, there have been many changes
made in keeping with the times. One primary business reason doing such is to
keep their competitors from counterfeiting Steiff’s trade identity. This was
very prevalent in Germany during the first decade or two in the 1900s.
Competitors would create teddy bears that looked very similar to what Steiff
offered. To prevent mistaken identity between one brand and the next, Steiff
patented its “Button-in-Ear”, and “Tag-in-Ear”.
From 1897 to 1904: Assorted
tags showing the elephant with a raised trunk forming the “S” in the
abbreviation “M. St.” (for Margarete Steiff) are attached to the bodies of
animals.
From 01/11/1904 to 1905: The first
Button-In-Ear was used, namely the use of the elephant button.
From 1905 to 1906: A blank
button was used. White tag accompanied this button with the article number
printed on it along with the German word, “geschütz” from time to time. Though
the blank button was used through 1906, the illust5rate white tag was attached
up to approximately 1908.
From 1906 thru 1924: Button with
name “Steiff” in upper-case letters are used. The second “f” in Steiff is
extended into a long arc. Also, a white tag with the printed article number and
“Original Steiff” are used.
From 1921 to 1927: A special red
or blue plastic tag was affixed to the Steiff Schlopsnies dolls as a means of
identification.
From 1923 through 1926: Button
described as above, white tag with printed article number were used.
Additionally, “Steiff Original geschütz” (patented) and “Germany Importé d’
Allemagne” were included on the Tag-in-Ear.
From 1926 through 1928: Pendant in
assorted sizes were used, with white paper/cardboard interior and metal ring
exterior, featuring black lettering.
From 1926 to 1934: Button
describe as above, red tag with printed article number. Additionally, “Steiff
Original geschütz” (patented) and “Made in Germany” were printed on said
Tag-in-Ear.
From 1928 thru 1952: Red edged
pendant featuring angular yellow bear’s head. Additionally, the interior
featuring pale pink and red lettering.
From 1934 through 1943: Button
described as in “From 1926 to 1934”. Yellow tag was used as in “From 1926 to 1934”
with identical messaging as the red tag, “Steiff Original geschütz”,
abbreviated to “Steiff Orig. gesch” from time to time.
From 1936 to 1950: Button-in-Ear
featured a shortened arc from the second “f” in Steiff. Tag-in-Ear as described
in “From 1934 through 1943”.
In the early 1900s, Steiff rigorously defended its brand by
patenting their Button-in-Ear, Tag-in-Ear, and their pendant, soon to be called
hang tags. Because many of Steiff’s competitors (especially in Germany in the
early 1900s) exactly or extremely closely duplicated the tag, button or pendant
to take advantage of Steiff’s popularity, Steiff began to patent these three
items plus many of their design features. Sometimes these patents were ignored
by Steiff’s competitors, with Steiff having to go back to court to assert its
legal rights.
The following is the breakdown of the article numbers of Steiff
ear tags:
Article Numbers on
Steiff ear tags
1905 - 1958
1st Digit (thousands) – position / nature
1 = standing
2 = lying
3 = sitting
4 = sitting up / begging / standing on back legs
5 = jointed
6 = young
7 = caricature
8 = ball jointed neck
9 = with clock-work mechanism
2nd Digit (hundreds) – type of material
1 = felt
2 = short-pile plush / coat plush
3 = mohair
4 = velvet
5 = lamb’s wool plush / wool plush
6 = cellulose / artificial silk plush (up to 1955) /
dralon plush (from 1955 on)
7 = cotton fabric / oil cloth
8 = wood
9 = fur / metal
3rd & 4th Digits (tens and
ones) – size in cm, e.g.
10 = 10 cm
17 = 17 cm
35 = 35 cm
Digit after the comma – equipment / outfit
0 = without wheels
1 = soft filling / also with squeaker
2 = automatic voice (growler) / double squeaker /
cord-activated voice
3 = music box
4 = simplified
5 = removable saddle
6 = tails / clothing
7 = muzzle / rucksack
8 = steering
9 = removable rocker
b = hot water bottle (waermflasche)
ex = eccentric wheels (Exzenterraeder)
H = neck mechanism / tail turns head (Halsmechanik)
ST = steering (Steuerung)
br = brown
c = caramel
g = gold
w = white
M = girl (Maid)
B = Boy (Bub)
Notes:
Jointed animals are measured sitting down
Much
to Steiff’s chagrin, the European Court is of the opinion that
the button and tag are no longer recognized as a trademark by the typical
consumer. Steiff has used both to the point of being ubiquitous, and many
Steiff patrons are no longer able to separate Steiff from its competitors based
on their button and tag features.
Harald
Mallwitz
General
Manager
Coppell
Collectibles, L.L.C.
Consultants to the Teddy bear world
Teddy bear does not come to life until he is loved, but once
loved he will live forever
