Steiff – EAN 400452 – Panda On Wheels 1938 50 cm – Replica – Limited Edition 286/1000 – 2008

Description

A particularly impressive and highly decorative Steiff Panda On Wheels 1938 Replica, EAN 400452, produced in Germany in 2008 as a worldwide limited edition of only 1,000 pieces. This example is individually numbered 286/1000 and retains its original Steiff box, numbered certificate, supplementary manufacturer’s information card and chest tag. This substantial collector’s piece recreates an early Steiff panda design dating from 1938, the year in which Steiff produced its first panda as a sample model and subsequently as a registered design. The 2008 edition revived the historic design as a traditional Steiff pull-along animal, combining the characteristic black-and-white panda colouring with the construction methods and detailing associated with the company’s historic wheeled animals. The panda is made from fine black and white genuine mohair, with the black limbs, ears, eye patches and shoulder areas strongly contrasting with the creamy-white head and body. The expressive face is finished with glass eyes, a black nose and an open mouth with pale felt interior. The body is traditionally and firmly filled with wood excelsior, giving the panda the substantial form and feel associated with early Steiff animals. It is mounted on a metal wheeled undercarriage with four substantial spoked wheels, reproducing the appearance of Steiff’s early pull-toy animals. A particularly appealing feature is the original pull-string voice or growler mechanism, operated by the metal ring situated on top of the panda. The mechanism is present and working correctly. The panda retains the characteristic Steiff white limited-edition ear tag and “Button in Ear”, together with its original Steiff chest tag. The edition was distinguished by an underscored Steiff button in patinated steel, reproducing an historic Steiff identification feature.

Condition

Excellent condition. The panda itself is very clean and well preserved, with strong black-and-white mohair, excellent facial definition and attractive original presentation. The glass eyes, felt mouth, wheels, fittings and Steiff identification tags are all present. The original ring-pull growler is working correctly. Complete with the original Steiff box, numbered certificate of authenticity, supplementary Steiff information card and chest tag. The box shows some light storage wear, including minor creasing, handling and edge wear, but remains sound and presents very well.

Please refer to the photographs, which form an important part of the condition description.

Maker: Margarete Steiff GmbH, Giengen an der Brenz, Germany.

Date: 2008.

Height: 50 cm – Steiff manufacturer’s stated size. The actual wheeled animal measures approximately 35 cm high × 53 cm long.

Material: Genuine black and white mohair, glass eyes and felt detailing, with traditional wood-excelsior filling.

Construction: Traditionally constructed, firmly excelsior-stuffed Steiff panda mounted upon a wheeled metal pull-toy chassis with four spoked wheels. Features include glass eyes, open felt-lined mouth, pull-string voice mechanism operated by a metal ring, original white limited-edition Steiff ear tag, patinated-steel underscored “Button in Ear”, Steiff chest tag and individually numbered certificate.

Why Buy from Hornseys?

Every item offered by Hornseys is handled, inspected and catalogued in-house before being offered for sale. We take particular care to identify manufacturers, edition details, materials, accessories and condition accurately, using the object itself and its surviving original documentation wherever possible.

Hornseys has been established in Ripon, North Yorkshire, since 1976, and our stock encompasses fine art, illustration, rare books, collectables, toys and unusual decorative objects.

We provide free UK delivery, carefully packed tracked shipping and a 14-day unconditional return guarantee, provided the item is returned in the same condition in which it was supplied.

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