Straw Filled Toys. The earliest stuffing for soft toys was straw, also know as wood wool or Excelsior. It is made from long, fine wood shavings and crunches when squeezed. Straw is no longer used for commercial soft toys but is sometimes used by bear artists for collectible bears and animals.
Below are some examples and price guides to antique straw filled toys including a Santa / Father Christmas and a mohair jointed teddy bear.
GERMAN STRAW FILLED TEDDY BEAR C. 1910 (22″ TALL)
Sold for US$225 at Carlsen Gallery, Inc. in 2022
Large antique straw filled Santa / Father Christmas with hand painted eyes. Some wear to suit. Approximately 26 inches high.
Sold for US$70 at Dennis Auction Service, Inc. in 2022
STRAW FILLED ROCKING HORSE WITH LEATHER SADDLE ON WOOD ROCKERS. WEAR TO WOOD AND TEARS TO HORSE. 46″ L x 33″ H.
Sold for US$275 at Redlands Antique Auction in 2022
19″ antique straw filled mohair jointed bear with button eyes and stitched nose (missing) and yarn mouth, shows wear including tears, thinning of mohair and straw, nose stitching is missing and has restitching.
Sold for US$2,100 at Apple Tree Auction Center in 2022
