Some of the most highly prized of stuffed animals are those made by the Steiff company, with the original Steiff stuffed animals (especially bears) fetching top dollar in auctions and toy fairs. The company was started as a hobby in 1880 by Margarete Steiff, a seamstress living in Giengen an der Brenz.

Steiff used her own designs to produce toy animals, largely dogs and cats as well as elephants and pigs.

However, it was not until 1902 when the company really took off with Margarete Steiff's nephew Richard Steiff's invention of a stuffed bear with jointed limbs.

This stuffed bear quickly caught on with American consumers and after winning first prize in the St. Louis hosted 1904 World Exhibition, the whole world fell in love with Steiff's stuffed animals.

This bear is of course the teddy bear, named for then US President Teddy Roosevelt. The Steiff company still called Giengen home and is as always known the world over for its quality stiffed animals.

Besides the Steiff factory, Giengen is also the location of the Steiff Adventure Museum - both of which are a popular tourist attraction, with the museum giving visitors the history of the company and its products.

Bears and other stuffed animals, porcelain figurines and replicas of the company's past products are all available at the museum's gift shop.

The top of the Steiff product line is represented by the Steiff Classic group of products. These include handmade Steiff stuffed animals which include not only the well known bears, but also farm animals and wild animals of all kinds.

There are bears made in the classic 1906, 1909 and 1920 designs, among others as well as the ever popular bear with stitched in heart, a perennial Valentine's Day gift. The Stieff Classic line also includes Peter Rabbit, Mrs. Tiggly Winkle and other Beatrix Potter characters, and the company also produces a stuffed Paddington Bear.

The Steiff Baby Animals are made specifically for very young children. The animals include kittens and lambs as well as teddy bears and are made from durable materials to stand up to the wear and tear young children inflict on their playthings.

The Cosy Animal Line includes stuffed animals which are machine washable as well as bags, keyrings, gift sets and even chldren's clothes! The Cosy line also has a Moon Bear with a white stripe, a Grizzly Bear and a black and white Peirrot Bear as well as the children's storybook favorite Rupert Bear.

Even with this wide ranging product line, it is the classic teddy bear which is what will always come to mind when one thinks of Steiff stuffed animals.

If you are ready to buy or are just thinking about it, here are a few of my favorite Steiff Stuffed Animals for you to consider:

My First Steiff Bear

My First Steiff Teddy Bear is baby safe, and is for the very young and young at heart. It is baby blue, and has "My first Steiff" embroidered on its foot pad. It is about 10 inches, or 25 cm tall. Machine washable. It has the traditional yellow Steiff tag in its ear. Sells for around $20.

Steiff Manschli Panda

Part of the Wild Animal Collection, the Manschli Bear is a black and white sitting Panda with markings on his paws. He is approximately 10 inches long and made of soft, cuddly plush. It is machine washable in warm water. Available for about $36.

Steiff Mini Floppy Lumpi Golden Retriever Puppy

Part of the Mini Floppy Collection, Lumipi is a Golden Retriever and is approximately 6.5 inches long. Lumpi is designed in the lying position. Made of soft, cuddly plush, this stuffed animal is machine washable in warm water. You can find one for around $25.