Steiff - Button in Ear

Teddy bears and plush toys with the famed "button in ear"

Almost every child and for sure each adult knows teddy bears and stuffed animal toys by Steiff. The "Button in Ear" became the trademark and makes them unique. Often these plush toys are collector items, though they are made (also) for playing and being a companion for children. Materials like mohair, alpaca and woven fur from German production belong to the traditional manufacturing as well as the design with attention to detail. 
But who is Steiff? Magarete Steiff, born in 1847, got sick of polio at the age of two years only. Nevertheless, she founded her own manufacture for producing clothes and household items after becoming a professional dressmaker. A cutting pattern of a small elephant as a cushion for needles did inspire her, but it found more attraction to children as a toy. This elephant became the base for producing stuffed toys. In 1902 the first teddy bear with moveable joints got designed by her nephew Richard and presented on the toy fair in Leipzig. This is when the worldwide career of the teddy bear started. Two years later the trademark "Button in Ear" was born and remains until today.
And furthermore: Once a year the proceeds from the sales will be donated to the Peace Village International and pays for sponsorships "Sustainable Agriculture" and "Health" at the school "College Les Pigeons" in Talata, Antisrabé in Madagascar. 

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