All photographs are the property of Victoria-William Antiques and may not be copied
Please click on the photos to enlarge them.
Rare Steiff Character German Fireman Doll - Circa 1911-1912
Please note: I have received sooo much information on these two dolls, some of it incorrect. I believe it only fair to relist them with the information that I know now to be correct. I will be listing them at the price they were bid up to at the time of ending the other auction. I want to make sure there is no confusion, what the buyer is purchasing. I realize these are really important pieces and I am sooo very fortunate to have them for the short time alloted.
Thank you all for your patience.
This auction is being offered and the proceeds of the sale go to the Presbyterian Women's Rummage of Lake Forest, Illinois. All money goes directly to charity. In existence for over 50 years, women selflessly volunteer throughout the year collectiing and sorting donations to be used specifically for sale each year in May. The proceeds go to charities throughout Lake County, Illinois. This sale generates between 80,000 to 130,000 dollars yearly. No small change, considering everything is entirely donated from area residents! My volunteer time is spent the week prior to the sale, unpacking and setting up the "Treasures" room. Sorting, cleaning, set-up and pricing all take place this week. It is a wonderful time, spent with women and men who cheerfully go about thier work!
Sunday, April 27th was "unpacking" day. After unwrapping crumpled paper, two dolls were uncovered. To our surprise, they were two rare Character Dolls by Margarete Steiff. We do NOT know who donated them, so therefore we have absolutely NO history on them whatsoever. I will be describing them as I see it, if you have any questions, please ASK, they are sold as is. Please note that we reserve the right to end this auction, should it not generate sufficient interest.
With all the new information here is what we have:
This little 1912 Character German Fireman all felt doll measures 16.5 inches tall featured in the Button in Ear book, page 152. With his hat almost 19". HE IS ALL ORIGINAL, and comes with an original wood Steiff Chair (marked on bottom), a Steiff wooden Keg (used to have an orange Fireman Flag, there is a hole at the top of the keg for holding the flag), holster for holding the axe, a wooden axe and equipment belt which is marked
"STEIFF" on front.
He is shown in one of the photographs below, WITH the Barrel, WITH the chair. Also, there are women in the background who look exactly like the other doll listed for sale. Since the two dolls came to me together, I am assuming they are both from the same display of the Inferno in Dingharting, shown at the Bavarian Trade-Fair in Munich, 1912. On page 148 of the Cieslik book it tells about an Albert Schlopsnies and his help in creating this display. The display was a huge success and many of the dolls were prototypes for the display, not meant for sale, others made to order.
His clothing is is a part of him, rather sewn on. Hard stuffed exelsior body. SWIVEL head (partial reattachment at neck) turns 180 degrees. Solid Metal (Brass) Helmet with original attachment. Boots are unbelievable, they go all the way up to the knees! Bottoms have "Steiff" FF underlined buttons on bottom, some are missing, some are loose (in bag). Ear is marked with Steiff FF underlined button. Glass eyes are so wonderful, they are designed to be looking right, blown glass. Handpainted/drawn features. Hand applied ears, large feet, all jointed body. and of course ALL ORIGINAL COSTUME!! Missing some buttons on front.
please remember to click on the photos to enlarge them to full size!
Now for the drawbacks, no history, moth damage to back of coat and head. There is an open tear on back left pant leg which reveals the mint clean body interior showing original construction of joints, KNEES ARE JOINTED, very interesting! Overall dusty condition, could use a conservator.
This little guy has been around a long time, not in mint condition, but certainly, one of the most rarest dolls Steiff ever made to hit
Pleae notice the chair in the lower foreground and the barrel up above with the flag. The German Fireman we have here is either the one pushing the wagon on the left or the one climbing the house.
Background on German Steiff toys: This is one of those rare Antiques Toys you don't find anymore! Margarete Steiff began creating handwewn felt animals in 1880, the little animals took off. A series of fortunate events ocurred which catapulted her into a full fledged business. In 1897 her nephew, Richard, joined her business. Richard was educated in the field of art and studied in Germany and England. He helped her design a little Teddy Bear for the 1903 Leipzig Toy Fair. This little guy was quite successful. An ocean away in America, President Teddy Roosevelt was in Mississippi on a hunting expedition. A baby bear wandered into his camp and he refused to kill it despite promptings from those around him. Legend has it that he chased the baby back to its mother. The Washington Post took the story to production and the public fell in love with him. In 1906 at his daughters wedding reception, decorations were Steiff bears dressed as hunters and fishermen....the rest is history!
Under the imagination of Richard, character dolls were drawn up on paper and later made into dolls. These characters had quite the exxagerated facial expressions and quickly became recognizable worldwide. Felt pressed heads with a seam down the middle of the face, mohair wigs, glass eyes and large feet are classic Steiff doll characteristics.
|
Payment: Accepted payment options are paypal, personal check, cashiers check or money order. Payment is to be made within a timely manner after the close of this auction. I do not harass or remind my buyers about payment. You all have “my Ebay”, you know what you need to do. J I try to keep in mind that the computer is there to assist people in their daily lives, not control it. If you are wanting to bid on other items I have listed , I will combine shipping within reason and within respect to the size of the box needed, if it doesn’t make sense to put them in one box, I will have to use two. If you are needing your item shipped ASAP contact me before you purchase because I do occassionally have life matters that can cause delayed shipping (these matters are respectively, 19, 17 and 9 not to mention my wonderful husband and volunteer work J ), along with local postal issues. Insurance is required on purchases totaling $20 or more. |
|
Shipping: I normally ship (excluding Friday's and weekends) within 5 business days from payment. Shipping is via USPS or UPS. I pack carefully but insurance is not an option. I don't accept responsibility for uninsured items. Insurance is required on purchases totalling $20 or more. I will always try and recycle good boxes, this helps to keep both our costs down. I only charge actual shipping. Sometimes, however, if your item requires special packaging, I will have to pass the extra cost on to the buyer.
I Ship via the USPS or UPS. Most items go out within 2 days of printing the Prepaid Postage Labels, you will receive a Paypal notification when the labels have been printed. I am not affiliated with the USPS & UPS in any way and am not responsible for transit issues, their tracking, speed of delivery, damage, etc. I cannot control the speed of delivery after the package has been dropped off at the USPS or picked up by UPS. |
|
Policies: I strive to accurately describe my items. However I am human and I do make mistakes. Out of every 250 very satisfied customers I will get one negative thinker with petty complaints and very strong opinions. Therefore I have to add this to my listing. I weigh all items after packing. I do not package them until the auction is over, just in case I have to go back and look at it to answer a buyers question. I can't guarantee my scales to be accurate within 1 pound. It is your responsibility to ask questions. Again, I will not accept responsibility for uninsured items.
I am a happy, positive person. I have enjoyed the many wonderful people I have met on Ebay and look forward to meeting new, wonderful buyers/sellers as well! Life is full of demands, I strive to remove those demands on my buyers and sellers and allow my Ebay to give people a recreational respite as well as supply their business needs appropriately. We, as buyers and sellers and users of the merchant system on Ebay, need to remember that people are people. Some sellers sell full time and others part time. If you do not receive a response to an email as soon as you would like, please be patient. People have lives and are not in front of the computer every minute, hour or even day. That said, I will do my best to answer all emails in a timely manner. Please remember to turn off your scam email controls as sometimes emails are diverted there. Lastly, I would like to get to know you and I want you to know me. Please visit my website and read “About owner”. Feel free to post a message there as well! Victoria-williamantiques.com A BIG Thank You! |
|
Returns: Refunds will be given on any item sold if I have misrepresented the item. To receive a refund you must return the original item at your expense and you must contact me within 24 hours of receiving the item. I will issue a refund of your purchase and original shipping price as soon as I receive notification of return shipment. |
First of all, I want to thank every single Ebayer who has emailed me or spoken with me via telephone regarding these two German Steiff Dolls. . One very informed person relayed this information to me concerning this German Fireman: "The farmer's wife was in various costumes (1908 -1910) and was a store display "The Market" the fireman (1912) was in a display piece "Inferno In Dingharting" shown at the Bavarian Trade-Fair in Munich 1912. All dolls were 17 & 20" with fabulous costumes including metal helmets and accessories. The display was also shown at "Gamages" in London in 1913".
Track up to 10 items on this computer in 
)
)
