Huge Steiff bear from Aachen ensures record offer at Cash for Rares”

Huge Steiff bear from Aachen ensures record offer at Cash for Rares”

An extraordinary appearance on the popular ZDF program “Bares für Rares” caused enthusiasm on June 24th. The 66-year-old Calogero Lo Cicero from Aachen presented a special Steiff stuffed bear that not only tells a piece of his family history, but also won the hearts of the dealers. The bear dates from the 1960s and was once given to his wife by her grandmother, who, to her surprise, was very afraid of him as a child.

The XXL toy bear, which eked out a quiet existence in the family's various rooms over the years, represented a connection to childhood memories. "Cash for Rares" presenter Horst Lichter described him as a "lovely bear" and not a "problem bear". This may have eased the nervousness of Lo Cicero, who did not have high expectations before the auction.

The estimate and the unexpected success

Expert Detlev Kümmel examined the bear and confirmed its high quality. He praised the fact that the bear was still able to hum and was in good condition with few signs of wear. Only the collar was missing and the nose was a bit damaged. According to estimates, the bear's value would be around 350 to 400 euros, which is very interesting for many collectors and lovers of Steiff cuddly toys from Giengen an der Brenz. The piece originally cost 210 German marks in the 1960s, which was equivalent to a normal worker's monthly salary at the time.

Before the auction began, Lo Cicero set a desired price of 50 euros. Surprisingly, the bidding in the dealer room started at 80 euros and quickly rose to 450 euros. Dealer David Suppes and Markus Wildhagen fought an exciting head-to-head race before the bear was ultimately sold to Suppes for 450 euros. Lo Cicero was excited about the higher-than-expected sale price and revealed that he hopes the bear will find a good new home.

The collector's passion for Steiff bears

Steiff bears are very popular with collectors and are considered cult objects. A look at the classifieds shows that many similar collectibles are on offer, and not just in Cologne. A collectible old bear on wheels can also be found in Munich-Bogenhausen - another sign of the popularity of these nostalgic toys.

Calogero Lo Cicero opened a true treasure chest of emotions and memories with his performance. The stuffed bear, which once languished in an unused state, is now seen as both a wonderful keepsake and a financial gain. Whether as part of your own collection or as a valuable gift, the Steiff Bear remains a fascinating piece of history. And who knows, maybe the next appearance on “Bares für Rares” will bring the latest surprises to light.