10 Of the Most Expensive Teddy Bears Sold At Auction 

Cuddly animals or teddy bears are not just for kids. They can also be valuable collectables that can fetch high prices at auctions. Some of the factors that determine the value of a cuddly toy or a teddy bear are its age, rarity, condition, provenance, and brand. 

The older, rarer, and better preserved the toy is, the more it is worth. The history and origin of the toy can also add to its appeal and significance. Moreover, some brands, such as Steiff, are known for producing high-quality and luxurious toys that are sought after by collectors.

On this page, we will look at some of the most expensive cuddly toys or teddy bears that have ever been sold at auctions. These toys are not only adorable and cuddly, but also historical and cultural icons that have fascinated and delighted generations of people.

1. Steiff Louis Vuitton Teddy Bear – $2.1 million

This teddy bear is the most expensive one ever sold at an auction. It was created in 2000 by the German toy company Steiff and the French fashion house Louis Vuitton to celebrate Steiff’s 125th anniversary. 

The teddy bear is made of gold thread and has a mouth of 24-carat gold. It also wears a Louis Vuitton coat and hat and has eyes with diamond irises and emerald pupils. 

The teddy bear was sold at a Christie’s auction in Monaco in 2000 to Jessie Kim of Korea, who then donated it to the Teddy Bear Museum in Jeju Island.

2. Titanic Mourning Bear – $136,000

This teddy bear is one of the rarest and most tragic ones in the world. It was made by Steiff in 1912 as a tribute to the victims of the Titanic disaster.

 The teddy bear has black fur, red eyes, and a silver brooch that says “mourning for Titanic”. 

Only 600 of these bears were made, and only 78 of them were sold in Britain, where most of the Titanic passengers came from. The rest were sold in America and Germany.

 The teddy bear was sold at a Christie’s auction in London in 2000 to an anonymous bidder.

3. PB28 Rod Bear – $105,000

This teddy bear is one of the oldest and earliest ones ever made by Steiff. It was produced in 1904 and has a metal rod joint system that allows its limbs to move. 

It also has shoe-button eyes, a blank button on its ear, and a hump on its back. Only a few of these bears have survived, making them extremely rare and valuable. The teddy bear was sold at a Christie’s auction in London in 1994 to Paul Volpp, a German businessman and collector.

4. Harlequin Teddy Bear – $75,000

This teddy bear is one of the most unique and colourful ones ever made by Steiff. It was made around 1925 and has half-red and half-blue fur, yellow felt pads, black stitching, and mismatched eyes.

 It is believed that it was an experimental piece or a prototype that never went into production. Therefore, it is the only one of its kind in existence. The teddy bear was originally owned by a Steiff employee who worked with the founder Margarete Steiff for five years.

 It was later sold at a Christie’s auction in London in 2010 to Paul Greenwood, an American hedge fund manager who had a huge collection of luxury teddy bears.

5. Diamond Eyes Teddy Bear – $84,000

This teddy bear is one of the most extravagant and glamorous ones ever made by Steiff. It was made in 2008 to commemorate Steiff’s 125th anniversary.

 The teddy bear has white fur made of gold thread and eyes with diamond irises and emerald pupils. It also comes with a Mont Blanc pen and an ink pot filled with liquid gold as complimentary gifts. 

Only 125 of these bears were made, making them very exclusive and desirable. The teddy bear was sold at a Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong in 2008 to Jessie Kim of Korea.

6. Hot Water Bottle Teddy Bear – $30,000

This teddy bear is one of the most innovative and practical ones ever made by Steiff. It was made in 1907 and has a zipper on its chest that opens up to reveal a hot water bottle inside its body. 

The hot water bottle can be filled with warm water to keep the owner cozy and comfortable during cold nights. The teddy bear also has brown fur, black shoe-button eyes, and a blank button on its ear.

 Only about 90 of these bears were made, and only a few of them have the original hot water bottle intact. 

The teddy bear was sold at a Christie’s auction in London in 1989 to an anonymous bidder.

7. Happy Teddy Bear – $28,000

This teddy bear is one of the most cheerful and adorable ones ever made by Steiff. It was made in 1926 and has a smiling mouth, long arms and legs, and a curly mohair fur.

 It also has brown and black glass eyes, a black nose, and a blank button on its ear. The teddy bear was named Happy by its original owner, who received it as a gift from her father when she was a child.

 The teddy bear was sold at a Christie’s auction in London in 1997 to the German collector Paul Volpp.

8. Blue Elliot Teddy Bear – $17,000

This teddy bear is one of the most charming and elegant ones ever made by Steiff. It was made in 1908 and has blue mohair fur, black shoe-button eyes, and a black nose. 

It also has long arms and legs, a hump on its back, and a blank button on its ear. The teddy bear was named Elliot by its original owner, who bought it from Harrods in London when he was a boy.

 The teddy bear was sold at a Christie’s auction in London in 1993 to an anonymous bidder³.

9. Alfonzo Teddy Bear – $16,000

This teddy bear is one of the most patriotic and historical ones ever made by Steiff. It was made in 1908 and has red mohair fur, black shoe-button eyes, and a black nose.

 It also has long arms and legs, a hump on its back, and a blank button on its ear. The teddy bear was given as a gift to Princess Xenia Georgievna of Russia by her aunt Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna of Russia.

 The teddy bear was named Alfonzo after Princess Xenia’s husband Prince Andrew Alexandrovich of Russia.

This is yet another teddy bear that was sold to the German collector Paul Volpp at a Christie’s auction in London. 

10. Teddy Girl Teddy Bear – $15,000

This teddy bear is one of the most loved and cherished ones ever made by Steiff. It was made in 1904 and has cinnamon mohair fur, black shoe-button eyes, and a black nose. 

The bear also has long arms and legs, a hump on its back, and a blank button on its ear. The teddy bear was owned by Colonel Bob Henderson, who served in both World Wars and carried the teddy bear with him throughout his military career. 

The teddy bear was named Teddy Girl by Colonel Henderson’s wife Betty, who also made clothes for the teddy bear.

 The teddy bear was sold at a Christie’s auction in London in 1994 to Yoshihiro Sekiguchi, a Japanese businessman and founder of the Teddy Bear Museum in Izu.

Final Thoughts

Collecting cuddly animals can be a profitable hobby. You never know what is going to sell for a lot of money at auction next. Perhaps you should check what cuddly friends you have sitting on your bed.