Children’s toys were the most sought-after works, with the foremost lot an early 20th century teddy with brown button eyes, a pointed snout and a humped back. Although it did not have a trademark black button in the ear was in very worn condition and lacked much of its stuffing, it was, by general consensus, a Steiff bear.
Consigned by a Huddersfield dealer on behalf of a private source, it was estimated at £300-500. However, a battle between two collectors took the bidding to £3100.
In better condition was a Schuco miniature bear powder compact. This 31/2in (9cm) pink-plush-covered tinplate piece with a removable head had been spotted in a cardboard box of routine items consigned to a general sale. Put into the collectors’ sale, it sold at £740.
Dealers may have been active but collectors secured the top lots, including a large quantity of Action Man figures and equipment.
Consigned by a private Bradford vendor, the 1970s macho man and his kit took £800 – a surprising sum given the lack of original boxes and the mixed condition of entries.
Andrew Hartley, Ilkley, September 20
Buyer’s premium: 10 per cent
Steiff judgment helps success of near sell-out collectors’ sale
WITH buying split 50/50 between trade and private bidders, a total of £84,000 and all bar 84 of the 928 entries getting away, this was one of the healthiest of Andrew Hartley’s bi-annual specialist collectors’ sales to date, on 20 September.
