Grey mohair plush monkey made in Germany by Steiff about 1910

Fully jointed grey mohair plush chimpanzee type monkey with beige felt face, ears, hands and feet. The arms are very long and slightly curved. The legs are formed into a sitting position. The fingers and toes are very carefully made with narrow metal prongs inside and fine defined stitching outside. A small mohair insert piece on the lower half of the face has lost almost all its covering, but would originally have been white. The eyes are brown and black glass and are both broken and missing their top halves. The trademark Steiff button is in the left ear.

Given by Mrs M. P. Drewitt

Steiff referred to all its early ape-like soft toys as monkeys. This is actually a chimpanzee. Although it is fully jointed at the arms, legs and head, the legs are positioned so that the monkey is seated. The arms are unusually long and slightly bent at the elbows. The fingers and toes are very carefully defined, made with narrow metal prongs inside and detailed stitching outside. It is probable that this toy was made as an automobile accessory and might have sat on the radiator cap of a motor car. The trademark Steiff button can be seen in the left ear.

MISC.11-1986