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1877 Margarete Steiff sold garments and household articles that she had
made herself in a newly formed ready-to-wear felt clothing establishment.
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1880 The first Steiff animal was created - an elephant made of felt,
that was intended for use as a pincushion. The elephant was the first
soft-filled fabric toy animal and soon became very popular with children, who
enjoyed playing with it.
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1886 5,170 elephants were sold and other animals were added to the
product range. The family business expanded. Fritz Steiff, Margarete's brother,
assumed responsibility for sales.
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1892 The first Steiff catalogue was published to give the customers an
overview of the products that had been added to the range.
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1893 The first trade fair: Steiff felt toys were presented for the first
time at the Spring Fair in Leipzig. The company was entered in the commercial
register as a toy factory.
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1895 The first foreign business contacts were established with Harrods
in London.
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1897 Richard Steiff, Margarete's nephew, joined the company
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