Steiff

' For Children, only the best is good enough'- that is no empty promise, that is the Steiff creed that has stood firm within the company mindset for generations. Children are the present and future.

The Steiff story is one of an extraordinary woman and an unwavering determination and commitment. When Margarete Steiff was 18 months old she developed a fever which left her severely paralysed. Doctor visits and treatment didn't seem to help and her parents worried that Margarete would be dependent on the care of others all her life. But Margarete had different ideas.

Margarete went on to become a seamstress, working in her older sisters tailors and eventually opening her own shop and soon had a staff of several other seamstresses. One day in 1879 Maragrete saw the sewing pattern for a small stuffed elephant pin cushion which Margarete made. However, the little elephant proved popular with children and Margarete's brother started selling the elephants at the local market. In 1892 the first illustrated Steiff catalogue was released which showed the diversity of the range. In addition to elephants there were monkeys, horses, camels, pigs, mice, dogs, cats, hares and giraffes.

Over 135 years on from Maragrete's little pin-cushion elephant, The World of Steiff is as magical and prevalent all over the globe with Steiff still being a prized and loved possession of children and adults alike.

Continue the tradition of gifting high quality Steiff toys, at BrandAlley discount prices!