Vintage Steiff 'Linda' Kangaroo with Joey Plush

This is a vintage stuffed plush toy depicting a kangaroo with a joey in its pouch, manufactured by the renowned German company Steiff. The item is crafted from high-quality mohair, featuring a naturalistic color palette of golden-brown and cream with subtle airbrushed shading on the back and head to add depth and realism. A significant identifying feature is the original yellow 'Steiff' ear tag with a silver-colored 'Button-in-Ear' (Knopf im Ohr) visible on the left ear, indicating it was made in Germany. The kangaroo is shown in a standing profile position with a joey's head and paws emerging from the pouch. The plush exhibits high-quality craftsmanship, including felt-lined ears and detailed stitching for the snout. Condition-wise, the item appears to be in well-preserved vintage state, with some minor matting and thinning of the mohair typical of age. The yellow tag shows light creasing but remains intact and legible. Based on the tag style and design, this piece likely dates from the 1950s to the 1960s. It stands approximately 6 to 9 inches tall, serving as a classic example of mid-century collectible toy design.

I have examined the images of this Steiff 'Linda' Kangaroo with Joey. The presence of the yellow tag and the nickel-plated 'Raised Script' button suggests a production period between 1954 and 1968. The quality of the mohair and the characteristic airbrushing on the back and ears are consistent with Steiff's mid-century manufacturing standards. The item appears to be in 'Good to Very Good' vintage condition; while the joey is present (a critical factor for value), there is visible thinning of the mohair on the tail and base, and the yellow tag shows wear consistent with age. This model is a popular mid-range collectible, as it represents Steiff's more complex 'double-piece' designs. Current market demand for mid-century Steiff remains stable, though prices fluctuate based on the crispness of the tags. Similar examples with original chest tags and intact paper IDs frequently reach the upper end of the estimate, whereas this piece's lack of a paper chest tag limits its ceiling. Please note that while the visual markers—such as the felt ears and 'Button-in-Ear'—strongly suggest authenticity, an image-based appraisal cannot confirm the interior stuffing material (which should be wood wool/excelsior) or detect potential restoration, such as professional mohair grafting. A full authentication would require a tactile examination of the internal structure and UV light testing to ensure the stitching and materials have not been altered or replaced with modern synthetic fibers. Original provenance or a purchase receipt from an authorized mid-century retailer would further solidify this valuation.