Jointed Toys. Joints used in soft toys are usually the same as the joints used for swivel heads. They are cotter pins and allow the arms and legs to move. Another technique used to joint soft toys is string jointing. This method is often used in miniature soft toys and bears.
12" German Felt Gnome "Snik" by Steiff
1930, green glass eyes, felt head and body jointed at shoulders and hips, swivel neck, moth hole on left arm and chest, wear to leather belt and wood clogs, costume all original, very good condition
Sold for $400 at Treasureseeker Auctions LLC in 2019
Fully jointed (head and limbs) monkey of brown artificial silk plush with plain fabric face, ears, hands and feet. It is solidly stuffed with wood wool and there is an unstuffed plush tail. The facial features consist of two black plastic eyes and a stitched line mouth. Within the body is a squeaker that operates by pressing it.
Monkeys have been popular soft toys since the beginning of the twentieth century. The German soft toy company Steiff began making monkeys at the end of the nineteenth century and until 1914 this type of Steiff toy sold better than any other apart from the teddy bear. Steiff’s best known monkey was called Jocko.
Reference: © Victoria and Albert Museum
Black and white mohair ‘Pip’ toy dog, 1930’s With orange glass eyes, stitched nose and mouth, swivel head and jointed at shoulders and hips, 61cm (24in) tall, (slight wear, repairs to feet), the Daily Mirror cartoon character 1919-1956, together with Pip & Squeak annual 1929 and official birthday card. (3)
Sold for £ 400 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2012
A STEIFF ROD JOINTED PINSCHER, (35PB or 5335), long golden mohair, black boot button eyes, gutta percha nose, pink stitching, seam from ear to ear and elephant button, 1904-05 –13½in. (34.5cm.) long (some fading and slight thinning)
Sold for GBP 8,125 at Christie’s in 2010
STEIFF black soccer player, felt, jointed, 1903-1904, 35 cm, from the period when no buttons were used, medal made of cardboard, so far it is no cardboard medal known, only metal medals are known, very nice original condition, nearly without damage, with expertise by the company STEIFF
Sold for €5,000 at Ladenburger Spielzeugauktion in 2019
Early teddy from Steiff has shoe button eyes, brown stitched nose, mouth, and claws, with a blank button in the left ear. Swivel neck, and jointed at shoulders and hips. Long arms with felt paw pads and hump on the back of torso. Right foot and right hand paw pads show some restoration. Both ankles show some reinforcement. Overall condition of the mohair is quite good, somewhat matted in places but very little loss.Condition: (Very Good – Excellent).Dimensions: 15″ x 8″.
Sold for $2,500 at Dan Morphy Auctions in 2019
