September 9, 2013

Ur-Riding Ladybug From Steiff?

steiff_ladybug_rago.jpg

Well this is interesting. This pair of vintage plush riding toys coming to auction in New Jersey is attributed to Steiff. I've never seen anything like them, but I know someone who has: the designer of the Wheely Bug ladybug toddler scooters that Prince Lionheart puts out.

lionheart_wheelybug.jpg

I swear these began as some [Spanish?] indie designer's idea before they got bought up or knocked off. Either way, they're everywhere now. Collect'em all!

UPDATE DT reader Christopher, who actually looked, and who knows that the German word for ladybug is Marienkäfer, points to this Steiff collector's extensive website, where rare ride-on Steiffs are discussed. And sure enough, there are several very nice photos of a c. 1950 ladybug. Which is starting to look kind of great. That undercarriage is a masterpiece of German over-engineering:

ladybug_aufimmerdein.jpeg

Anyway, very rare everywhere except on Google Images and at various auctions, where they can command literally tens of pounds, or euros.

Sept. 20, Lot 425A: Steiff (Attr.) two plush riding toys, est. $400-600 [ragoarts]
Buy a Prince Lionheart Wheely Bug, Ladybug or a Mouse or Bee for like $56 at Amazon [amazon]
Steiff Sammeln [aufimmerdein.blog.de, thx christopher]

1 Comment

There you go:

Auction
http://www.zeller.de/en/katalog/action-101-sep-09/auktionsartikel/steiff-marienkaefer-1

Collectors Blog with lots of photos
http://aufimmerdein.blog.de/2011/03/10/sammeln-10803335/

Considered a real rarity because Steiff usually does not make riding toys.

Search for "Marienkäfer" and "Steiff"

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