GLENDALE, Ariz. (Dec. 18, 2023) – It’s a goofy-looking dog that is 10 ½ inches long, velvet, with glass eyes, a black velvet ear, a red felt tongue, jointed limbs and a swivel head. Some people might discard this odd stuffed animal, thinking it’s worthless. But a Phoenix resident bought it at a flea market and is now poised to earn thousands of dollars when it hits the auction block at EJ’s Auction & Appraisal on Saturday, Dec. 30.

This rare, circa 1927 Steiff Begging Bonzo Dog is the star of EJ’s annual New Year online auction, which starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30. Bidding is open now and interested bidders can preview the items Wednesday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or on Saturday, Dec. 30 prior to 10 a.m. at EJ’s Glendale auction house, 5880 W. Bell Road, on the northeast corner of 59th Avenue and Bell Road.

Erik Hoyer, EJ’s Auction & Appraisal’s CEO, said Steiff canines seldom appear on the secondary market, and those that have been auctioned have sold for $25,000 to $45,000.

“Bonzo was a popular cartoon character created by British artist George Studdy in the early 1920s,” Hoyer said. “Steiff was a popular manufacturer of stuffed animals. It was founded in Germany in 1880 and still makes teddy bears and other plush toys today. Steiff had produced 115 Begging Bonzo dogs before Studdy expressed his dissatisfaction with them. Studdy had the final say regarding marketing and licensing, and he chose to go with Chad Valley, another plush toy company. The fact that so few Steiff Begging Bonzo dogs were made is a big deal to collectors. It’s pretty remarkable that this rare stuffed animal made its way to our Phoenix auction house.”

EJ’s Auction & Appraisal holds “the best of the best” back for this annual auction, which features fine art, antiques and high-end collectibles. This year’s auction includes 5-foot porcelain temple vases, a life-size Native American warrior on horseback bronze, vintage stereo speakers, mid-century modern furniture, an Andy Warhol signed limited edition serigraph, fine jewelry, a gold Rolex watch, a Mercedes Benz, musical instruments, a suit of armor, and other collectibles. The largest item in the auction is a life-size World War I German Fokker replica airplane.

EJ’s Auction & Appraisal conducts online auctions at 10 a.m. every Saturday and free appraisal fairs on the fourth Friday of every month. For details, visit www.ejsauction.com or call (623) 878-2003.