For over 100 years, the Steiff factory in Germany has been building the finest toys ever made.  I have posted this guide to help everybody identify the trademark "Steiff button in ear".  This guide will help you determine when a Steiff item was made.

Items pre 1904 : Without button

1904-1905 : Elephant button

1905-1906 : Blank button

1906-1943 : Button with the name "Steiff" in upper case letters with the second "f" extending into an arc under the word "Steiff"

1936-1950 : Button with the name "Steiff" with the second "f" shortened in its arc to only underscore the first "f" in the word "Steiff" - A shorter version of the early button. 

1936-1943 : Both of the above buttons were used

1950-1951 : Button with "Steiff" in block letters (can be quite rare)

1952-1968 : The "RSB" Steiff button: Raised Script Button

1969-1977 : The "Steiff" word  in small script in the middle of the button (called the lentil button)

1978-1982 : 8mm "Steiff" script button

1983 to 2006 : 9mm "Steiff" script button

I hope this guide will help you in your Steiff collecting.

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