CLUB MAGAZINE The magazine for Steiff Club members – Spring 2017 A01478_Club_Magazin_01_2017_USA.indd 1 10.01.17 16:26 Flora and Florinchen are a lovely pair who add extra beauty to a blossoming Spring meadow; item no. 021411, 36 cm and 16 cm, limited edition of 750 pieces. 2 A01478_Club_Magazin_01_2017_USA.indd 2 10.01.17 16:26 EDITORIAL Dear Steiff friends, Are you sometimes a little archives such as never-produced nostalgic? The phenomenon that items and very early photos of the many people simply love old Steiff family. We also look back on things is evident in many areas. 25 years of Steiff Club editions. One person loves vintage cars, The two bears on the left, another old buildings, yet another however, show that we are not collects old coffee mills or antique only talking about the past, but jewellery. If we are nostalgic it does also engaging with the new – so not automatically mean that we are everything's in perfect balance. idealising the past or fleeing from I wish you a very enjoyable read! the present or the future. Healthy nostalgia simply makes life more beautiful, full stop. In this issue of the Club magazine, there is plenty of scope Yours, for nostalgia: one feature, for instance, brings you a selection of character dolls from 1904 up to the end of the 1920s; we report on auction results for old Steiff animals, and we have "dug up" INGE ZINNECKER more treasures from the Steiff Steiff Club Manager 3 A01478_Club_Magazin_01_2017_USA.indd 3 10.01.17 16:26 For members only – Steiff Club exclusives since 1992 24 18 Forgotten friends A look at early Steiff dolls Hints of spring 08 IMPRINT NEWS RARITIES PUBLISHER: Margarete Steiff GmbH, 6 Exclusive 18 Forgotten friends Richard-Steiff -Str. 4, 89537 Giengen an der Brenz, Germany tel.: + 49 (0) 7322 131555, e-mail: info@steiff -club.de to Club A look at early Steiff dolls EDITORS: Inge Zinnecker, Rick Emerson members CONTRIBUTORS: Rebekah Kaufman, Daniel Hentschel The 2017 Club 24 For members only PHOTOS: Margarete Steiff GmbH items A timeline of the Club DESIGN AND PRODUCTION: Nadine Reinhardt / Hess GmbH – Medien, www.hess-medien.de exclusives since 1992 PRINT: DFM-GMBH / BLUEPRINT GMBH, München 8 Hints of FREQUENCY OF PUBLICATION: twice a year spring 36 Secrets from www.steiff .com Gifts for special the archives (3) Subject to changes. Reprinting and copying, even in part, only with the express permission of the publisher. occasions A look at never before By submitting manuscripts you consent to their publication in seen treasures the Club magazine. We must reserve the right to edit or abridge letters or articles. Printed colours may deviate from the original. 11 Special items All rights reserved. Country Printed in Germany 01/2017 e – item no. 915697 exclusives for the UK, Germany and the U.S. 4 A01478_Club_Magazin_01_2017_USA.indd 4 10.01.17 16:26 Steiff ambassador in Japan: Claire Steiff Meisel 40 36 Secrets from the archives: Discovered for you! Favourite: A little something diff erent... 50 CONTENTS TOPICS COMMUNITY STANDARDS 32 Experts 40 Steiff inside 30 Service The story behind Claire Steiff Meisel Questions and Answers the button tells us about her Steiff role in Japan 43 Calendar 34 Portrait Club events and other dates Hugo and Otto Steiff 44 Venues Auction report 48 The Club page 38 Passions Rewards for recruiting new Jan Brett, author, 46 Contest members, application form illustrator and Steiff lover Be a Steiff designer for a day 50 Favourite A little something diff erent... 5 A01478_Club_Magazin_01_2017_USA.indd 5 10.01.17 16:27 CLUB NEWS Exclusively for you! The Steiff Club editions 2017. It goes without saying that no Club magazine would be complete without the new Club editions. And although Club members were already informed of these items last November, here are the details of our "Anniversary Bears" again. The Club Edition 2017 The Event Teddy bear 2017 The 2017 Club gift A cuddly bear with long arms. The Event Teddy bear has a silver Clearly a part of the anniversary The paws and soles are made of cord tied in a bow around his neck. community: in 2017, all members alcantara. The pin on the delicate His paws and soles are also made will receive this little silver- silk scarf is reminiscent of the of alcantara. And, as always, he is coloured bear with the smart satin Club gift of 1992. Every member only available at Club events. bow tie as their annual Club gift! receives a personalised order coupon. Delivery will be made as 20 cm, item no. 421419 10 cm, item no. 421402 long as stocks last. Limited edition of 1,992 pieces Limited annual edition 2017 32 cm, item no. 421396 Limited edition of 1,992 pieces GOOD TO KNOW Approximate quantity of time-limited items 2015 421341 Teddy bear "Cherry" 1,100 pieces 421334 Event Teddy bear "Bubi" 1,550 pieces 421327 Loyalty Teddy bear 650 pieces for members with a minimum 5-year membership (2013-2015) SAVE THE DATE Friday, 30th June 2017 You are cordially invited! Celebrate with us the 25th birthday of the Steiff Club. Attached to this magazine you will fi nd a brochure and reply form. We look very much forward to seeing you in Giengen! 6 A01478_Club_Magazin_01_2017_USA.indd 6 10.01.17 16:27 CLUB NEWS A01478_Club_Magazin_01_2017_USA.indd 7 10.01.17 16:27 NEWS There is no better way to tell some- one how important they are to you than by giving them a "friend for life" made by Steiff . Our designers have been hard at work creating wonderful new smaller scale patterns, ideal for acknowledging special occasions as well as everyday accomplishments! Here are a few new exciting "button in ear" gift designs that will be available starting in early 2017. Which are your favourites? Hints of spring Check out Steiff 's newest barnyard friend, Mini Lamby Lamb, item no. 033575. This sweet and gentle resting lamb is 9 cm in size and made from white alpaca and felt. Her black button eyes, pink hand embroidered nose Steiff 's new Mini Moggy, item no. 033551, is sure to be one of and mouth, and pink your favourites. She is 9 cm in size, made from grey mohair, and is airbrushed highlights detailed with dark stripes all over her curled up body. And who can give her an especially resist her adorable face, featuring sweet black eyes, an eye-catching peaceful look. She would pink-red hand embroidered nose and mouth, and a short mohair be a lovely baby shower muzzle? This brand new design would indeed make the perfect gift gift or Easter basket for anyone who fancies cats and kittens. surprise. 8 A01478_Club_Magazin_01_2017_USA.indd 8 10.01.17 16:27 NEWS Every day can be Valentine's Day with this adorable and oh-so- romantic Mini Teddy Bear Lovely, item no. It's easy to fall in love 028922. This delightful with Steiff 's new Mini token of aff ection is a Ricky Renkitz, item no. 10 cm, fully jointed cream 033063. This curled up, coloured mohair Teddy 9 cm mohair fawn is bear wearing a little red made from red-brown Swarovski crystal heart. and white mohair. His He relaxes in a heart face comes to life with shaped pocket. A perfect sparkling black eyes little way to tell someone and a charming, hand that you love them in a embroidered black big way! nose. Ricky would make a charming gift for a colleague who loves fi eld and forest animals. A look at a few of our favourite items... The 7 cm Teddy bear is made of synthetic silk plush. He is wearing a decorative butterfl y and has a stainless steel button-in-ear. He is attached to a green organza ribbon with additional ornamental elements. This neck pendant is steel button-in-ear. It is a real eye-catcher: The attached to a red velvet 6 cm "Elefäntle" baby cord that is also decorated elephant made of wool with metal ornaments. felt features a red saddle blanket, decorated with a fl ower, and a stainless Both neck pendants come in a luxurious Lurex bag and will be available from May 2017. 9 A01478_Club_Magazin_01_2017_USA.indd 9 10.01.17 16:27 NEWS Now take a look at this brand new Tiny Rabbit Does someone special Have a friend or keyring, item no. 040344. own the key to your family member about This absolutely adorable heart? Then this Tiny to embark on a new rabbit is 10 cm in size, Teddy keychain, item adventure or career? fully jointed, and made no. 039386, would be How about sending them from light beige mohair. the perfect gift to show off with Steiff's brand His charming details them how much they new Tiny Pig keyring, include lined, airbrushed mean to you! This fully item no. 040320, to ears; oversized, padded jointed, 10 cm light coffee ensure their success! feet; and an expression coloured mohair Teddy This happy handful that clearly says, "let's go wears both a red felt is 10 cm in size, fully have some fun!" If you heart and a tiny heart jointed, and made from enjoy hanging around shaped key. He would pink mohair. He wears a with a special niece, be a great purse or silver four leaf clover on nephew, or grandchild, briefcase hanger a green ribbon, making let them know with this companion as well. him extra-lucky indeed. sweet springtime friend. ...from our newest collection. 10 A01478_Club_Magazin_01_2017_USA.indd 10 10.01.17 16:27 NEWS Special items UK and Ireland FANTASTIC MR FOX Following in the most splendiferous and ginormous hopscotchy steps of the hugely popular Willy Wonka and the BIG FRIENDLY GIANT, we are thrilled to continue applauding one of the most celebrated English authors – Roald Dahl.