Did you know some of those old stuffed animals crowding up your closets and blanket chests are worth big bucks today? Read on to learn which S.O.S. (Surplus Old Stuff): Stuffed Animals are worth selling in today’s plush-obsessed marketplace.
Stuffed Animals: Not Just for Kids Anymore
Why are stuffed animals perpetually popular? The answer lies in their primary function as objects of comfort and security, features that are highly coveted in today’s tumultuous world. Gone are the days when only small children needed a “comfort object.” Today, there are all sorts of young (and old) adults either secretly or fully openly desirous of a fuzzy, plush creature to soothe their full spectrum of existential angst and malaise.
Look at the current raging popularity of Squishmallows. I am not sure who had the genius to invent these oversized pillows in the shape of everything from quirky axolotls to comfort foods such as grilled cheese and s’mores, but whoever it is is undoubtedly enjoying a “plush” retirement in the Caribbean thanks to the proceeds of the thousands (millions?) of Squishmallows now occupying beds across the world.
An Oldie but a Goodie
So, which stuffed animals have value in today’s marketplace? Let’s start with vintage Rushton plushes. The Rushton company was founded in 1917 in Atlanta and quickly established a niche market for their quirky rubber-faced stuffed animals. Today’s collectors enjoy these toys for their often creepy quality, with their anthropomorphic plastic faces tucked onto a farm or jungle animal’s body, like a sheep or monkey.
One of Rushton’s most famous lines was the Star Creation line, and some of these examples, like the Star Creation lamb, can fetch a few hundred dollars on the secondary marketplace. Other Rushton plushes like the Chubby Tubby doll and Coca-Cola Santa have sold recently for just around the $200 range. Rushton plush prices really run the gamut, so it is always worth checking the current value of any vintage plushes you come across with Rushton’s signature “rubber face.”
Stieff: Where It All Started
Let’s go back in time a bit to some of the original stuffed animals: Steiff. Most collectors are familiar with this German company founded in 1880 and the maker of the first teddy bear, but do you know how to price vintage Steiff plushes? Truth be told, Steiff animals are pretty hard to miss if you’re at an estate sale with a small room of stuffies. Steiff toys are generally not plush at all but are often quite hard and stiff. Similarly, their outer fur is frequently stiff and made of old-fashioned mohair compared to today’s artificial materials.
In terms of resale value, you can’t go wrong with Steiff, as most examples retain some value today. However, their ubiquitous teddy bears remain the most valuable, with rare Steiff clown bears selling for over 40K at auction and even more mundane bears routinely fetching a couple thousand on the auction block.
Jellycat: The New Beanie Babies
Getting back to what you might still have stuffed in a closet or sitting on your kid’s bed, let’s talk Jellycat. Modern-day plush lovers are well-familiar with this British company founded just in 1999. However, they are now so established that they threw themselves a 25th-anniversary party at Boston’s Institute of Contemporary Art in 2024.
Savvy collectors know to watch Jellycat’s new releases and scour estate sales for early examples. Like Beanie Babies, early Jellycats were quickly retired, but unlike Beanie Babies, folks still clamor after old Jellycats. Fuddlewuddle the Piglet sold for nearly 10K a few years ago, and Rephany Fen Giraffe went for over 6K.
Tips for Sorting S.O.S. (Surplus Old Stuff): Stuffed Animals
So, how do you sort the bad from the good with your collection of stuffed animals? Luckily, stuffed animals are mass-produced items subject to various manufacturing regulations depending on the year they were made. Most critters have a tag or two that easily identifies them. You can easily search their value online by name, year, or product number from the tag.
If you have stuffed animals without tags and in poor condition, to be safe, you may still want to run them through WorthPoint’s Visual Recognition app. While some may have no value and may be best destined for ye olde textile recycling bin, you may be surprised at the ones with value. Better safe than sorry with your S.O.S. (Surplus Old Stuff): Stuffed Animals, teddy bears, axolotls, and all!
Amy Moyer is the proprietor of Antmuffin: Art, Antiques & Collectibles. She holds a B.A. in Visual Art from Brown University and lives in Boston.
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