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Newfangled_Artist Aug 5, 2014

So I fell in love with this tatty tiger (who is almost like a lioness - so I've just been calling it a 'Liger') and bought it. I didn't really care who made it, since the cat was just giving off good vibes - the seller thought it was a 50s Steiff, but I don't think so as I've seen lots of Steiff tigers and this one doesn't share their template, squared nose, shape or stripe patterns. But I've seen a lot of animals similar to my Liger every once in a while and I quite like them. Can anyone tell me what brand made them? I've seen very few old Teddy Hermann tigers in mint condition, I think maybe if Liger were in good condition she'd look like one of them? Only their tigers usually have rounder back feet, too.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ANTIQUE-STEIF … 25935348e2  < Here are more a little like it on ebay. I wouldn't be surprised if the tiger on there were made by the same company as mine - the eyes, feet and stripe patterns look similar. That seller also assumes they're Steiff which I'm not sure about. Unless they made lying tigers before their 50s designs? I'm not aware if they have

Thanks for any help 

dangerbears Aug 5, 2014

Oh, I really like your liger! I think you're right that it's not from Steiff (the most telling feature to me is the back feet which appear to be made without a separate paw-pad, which gives them that pointed look). Those glass eyes are certainly pretty. (Do they glow in the dark?)

Hermann is a good guess, and I believe there were also some pretty good Japanese versions of the Steiff lying tiger form.

Becky

Newfangled_Artist Aug 5, 2014

Thanks Becky! I agree, the feet were the first thing that made me think the seller was wrong about him being Steiff. She confirmed he was from around the 50s and I know they had a totally different template - Steiff wild cat are 'chunkier' (in a very cute way still!).

The eyes are what made the sale! They make his face look so playful but earnest and far out in thought. I was eager to receive Liger and turn the lights out just so I could find that out for myself! But nope - his eyes seem to be made very well and look as though they were meant to mock the legendary Steiff eyes. By day they actually look almost the same as my Steiff tigers since they're so bright - but no radioactive paint.

Does anyone know about any specific Japanese brands I could look into? My tiger looks almost like she could pass for a scraggly Hermann - but that tiger in the ebay link has his same eyes, legs/feet and mohair by the looks of it, but I don't think that one looks Hermann shaped in the face at all unlike mine. The head is much too round - this makes me think maybe they could both be Japanese mocks made to look like those two German brands instead. I'd love to try and find out who it could be - I'd probably love more of their toys!

dangerbears Aug 6, 2014

The only brand I know of is Kamar, and I have one of their Basset hounds. I don't know if they used mohair or if they made tigers. (Here is a Japanese lion: http://www.rubylane.com/item/299630-3865/Stuffed-Lion)

There are other European companies, too, like Berg and Schuco...

Becky

Newfangled_Artist Aug 7, 2014

Thank you, I'll take a look at Berg. I've looked at Dakin and Schuco cats and tigers, but they look quite different to mine. I've asked a very knowledgeable collector (SteiffGal) for her opinion, and she agrees with the seller that Liger is a 50's animal at least. No idea what he is though, but I'm sure I'll enjoy looking through all these different European and Japanese brands :)

Heather

1 user likes this: dangerbears

edmondnutmeg Aug 8, 2014

Gosh you too certainly know your makers  I can see why he pulled at your heart strings
michelle

Newfangled_Artist Aug 18, 2014

Thanks Michelle!  Still no clue who he is yet, but the research is fun. I've brain stormed some ideas for children's stories about this chap, might post some illustrations once I finally have the time to get around to that part. :D

Heather