Lot Essay
The extensive Steiff Company archives report that only one blue Steiff bear was created; a hand sample for the department store, Harrods. 'Elliot' was among six variously coloured teddy bears made by Steiff and sent in 1908 to Harrods in London as sample bears for future special order. Sadly, Elliot's unique colour did not attract the store's buyer and a contemporary blank Steiff order form verifies that he was never commercially manufactured. Poor Elliot was to spend a few years alone on a shelf, rejected.
Standing a proud 13in. high, 'Elliot' displays all the features characteristic of a Steiff bear. He has survived in remarkable condition and with his jointed limbs displaying their original beige pads and hand-embroidered black thread claws. 'Elliot's' distinctive blue fur is woven from fine quality dyed mohair.
Interestingly, 'Elliot' is almost identical (apart from colour) to 'Alfonzo', the red plush Steiff teddy bear bought for Princess Xenia of Russia, cousin to Tzar Nicholas II and sold here at Christie's South Kensington in 1989 for a record (12,100.
The reason for 'Elliot's' production remains unclear, although it is possible he was made as part of Steiff's marketing drive to combat the effects of the 1907 economic slump in Britain, the company's second largest market area. Dark-brown, white and beige teddy bears were already available, but neither Steiff nor their competitors had produced a real coloured range by 1908. Perhaps, as a result of the limited response to 'Elliot', Steiff turned their attentions towards other innovations namely, clockwork bears.
Standing a proud 13in. high, 'Elliot' displays all the features characteristic of a Steiff bear. He has survived in remarkable condition and with his jointed limbs displaying their original beige pads and hand-embroidered black thread claws. 'Elliot's' distinctive blue fur is woven from fine quality dyed mohair.
Interestingly, 'Elliot' is almost identical (apart from colour) to 'Alfonzo', the red plush Steiff teddy bear bought for Princess Xenia of Russia, cousin to Tzar Nicholas II and sold here at Christie's South Kensington in 1989 for a record (12,100.
The reason for 'Elliot's' production remains unclear, although it is possible he was made as part of Steiff's marketing drive to combat the effects of the 1907 economic slump in Britain, the company's second largest market area. Dark-brown, white and beige teddy bears were already available, but neither Steiff nor their competitors had produced a real coloured range by 1908. Perhaps, as a result of the limited response to 'Elliot', Steiff turned their attentions towards other innovations namely, clockwork bears.