CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - The creators of the original teddy bear, Steiff, announced today that there will a grand opening celebration of the first Steiff Gallery in America on Aug. 5 at Simon's Atrium Mall in Chestnut Hill (Boston), Massachusetts. 

"It is our goal to make this store a wonderful destination and introduce Steiff to a whole new generation," says Jim Pitocco, President of Steiff North America.

To celebrate the opening, nine priceless treasures from the Steiff Museum and Archives in Germany will be on display from Aug. 5-19 only. Included in the display will be the first modern teddy bear ever made - the famous "Richard Steiff" bear. This is the first time this teddy will have ever been shown in the United States.

COLOGNE, Germany - Toy specialists Antico Mondo's auction no. 43 on Dec. 12 will contain more than 1,500 lots of mostly 20th-century toys of all kinds. LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding. The auction will begin Saturday at 9 a.m. Central European Time, 3 a.m. Eastern.

The auctioneers will warm up by starting with approximately 115 lots of boxed Matchbox vehicles. More than 50 of those lots will have multiple items. About 180 boxed Corgi toys will follow.

Car collectors will have their pick of several rare tin windups. One Tipp Co. model has become known as the Eva Braun Sedan Car. In its plain original box, the car is expected to sell for between $20,000 and $33,000. Antico Mondo claims that it is one of only two known examples.

Another prize is a Marklin's prewar Central Station with Side-Hall and Bell (2651) for 0 gauge. The beautifully detailed tin structure carries a $19,400-$31,800 estimate.

BOSTON - Skinner Inc. has announced it will host its annual sale of science and technology antiques, clocks and toys on Saturday, July 25 at the company's new gallery in suburban Marlborough, Mass. Real-time Internet bidding will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com.