Steiff Marks World Teddy Bear Day With Global Archive Reveal
Giengen an der Brenz – September 10, 2026 -- Steiff is opening its archive to celebrate World Teddy Bear Day on September 9, showcasing rare international collector's pieces that trace more than 120 years of the toy's global appeal.
Five archival bears highlight the toy's worldwide reach
Steiff selected five discontinued collector's pieces to illustrate how different cultures have shaped the design of the teddy bear. The lineup includes the 2005 Carmen bear, inspired by Georges Bizet's opera, and the 2018 Great Escapes New York bear, modeled after the Statue of Liberty.
Also featured are the 2019 Great Escapes Edinburgh bear, dressed in a kilt with traditional Scottish design elements, the 2000 Tomato bear tied to Dutch heritage, and the 2025 Tang Dynasty Prosperous bear, drawing on Chinese imperial history. None of these five pieces remain commercially available.