Rare Roosevelt on Horseback Steiff Toy to be Offered at Auction!

Dallas, Texas: There are several conflicting stories regarding the origins of the modern Teddy Bear, any of which may, indeed, be apocryphal. In the most fabled account, President Theodore Roosevelt, on a 1902 hunting trip in Mississippi, was given the opportunity to "trophy shoot" a sick old bear that had been tied to a tree. Considering it "unsportsmanlike" to kill the helpless animal, Roosevelt refused. News of his gracious conduct spread, aided in large part by Clifford Berryman's famous cartoon that first appeared on November 16, 1902, showing a staunch Roosevelt, his back to the bear and his palm upraised in dismissal. Thus, according to this legend, was "Teddy's Bear" born.

Another account tells of an unsuccessful hunting trip while Roosevelt was staying at the Hotel Colorado. In order to cheer the dejected leader, hotel maids pieced together a stuffed bear doll from scraps of material and presented it to the President.

Whichever story one believes, it is clear that Theodore Roosevelt, Rough Rider, outdoorsman and 26th President of the United States, was intimately involved with the creation of what would become a multi-billion dollar world-wide industry. Beginning in 1880, Margarete Steiff began producing stuffed toy animals for German children. In 1902, no doubt taken with the story of "Teddy's Bear," her nephew, Richard Steiff, convinced her to make a little toy bear cub. German children were indifferent to the little bear, but at the 1903 Leipzig Toy Fair, 3,000 were sold to an American representative, and a toy dynasty, fueled by Roosevelt's popular image, was born.

It's only natural, then, that Steiff would release a toy honoring the President that gave his name to the Teddy Bear. That toy, one of the most sought-after Steiff creations among serious toy collectors, as well as a favorite T.R. display item among collectors of political and presidential items, is being offered in Heritage Auction Galleries' upcoming Grand Format Auction of Political Memorabilia and Americana.

"This incredible leaping horse, made of fine mohair with a real horsehair mane and glass eyes, and Teddy Roosevelt as its rider, is one of the rarest of Steiff creations," said Tom Slater, Director of Americana auctions for Heritage. "Teddy, dressed in his Rough Rider military outfit, sits atop this Appaloosa, with Steiff button in his ear, ready to lead the charge up San Juan Hill. The horse is approximately 38" long with Roosevelt measuring approximately 27" tall. This is an incredible piece, honoring the memory of one of America's greatest, and most adventurous, Presidents."

Heritage Auction Galleries will offer the Teddy Roosevelt on Horseback Steiff Toy in their upcoming Political Memorabilia and Americana Signature auction, to be held June 7, 2006 at their headquarters in Dallas, TX.

Teddy Roosevelt on Horseback Steiff Toy

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HeritageAuctions.com.

Prospective consignors and sellers of political memorabilia, Americana, and related collectibles are invited to visit www.HeritageAuctions.com/Americana and click on the "Sell Now" tab. Or simply email Tom Slater at TomS@HeritageAuctions.com.

To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Nicole Jewell at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 272, or visit www.HeritageAuctions.com to order by email.