A teddy bear set to go up for auction in London could achieve a record-breaking price.
The 1925 "harlequin" could break Christie's £110,000 (€126,000) world record for a teddy following a flurry of interest, the auctioneer said today.
The red and blue mohair bear, initially with an estimate of between £50,000 and £80,000, is among a "once in a lifetime" collection of more than a thousand luxury Steiff soft toys, which could fetch more than £1 million.
The private collection presents a "unique" opportunity for museums and collectors from around the world, according to the auctioneer.
The sale, at Christie's South Kensington saleroom in London on October 13th, is said to be the "largest and best quality collection" to remain in private hands. It will go on public exhibition tomorrow.
Set up in Germany in the late 19th century, Steiff is famous for its hand-finished bears, elephants, rabbits and other animals featuring a button in
their ear to show authenticity.
Teddy bear specialist Daniel Agnew, working as a consultant for the Christie's Steiff sale, said: "It's pretty much unique. There is such an amazing array and it's in such fabulous condition. It really is a once in a lifetime collection."
Mr Agnew described Steiff as the "Rolls-Royce of the soft toy world".
No details have been released about the mystery collector who owned the toys nor why they are being sold.
The collection includes toys dating from 1890 to the 1970s, Christie's said.
PA