Could I bother you with these pictures and info about this bear? It belonged to my dad. He got it around 1940s, when he was born and says it was new. Right now it is not in great condition as you see, since he played with it as a child. It does not have the ear pierced, but it has a leather collar with a worn out cardboard tag, where I can see Steiff written. Could it be an earlier Steiff, before they had the ears pierced, because I looked carefully and there is no sign, that there was something there. It used to growl or do some noise, my dad said, and I can feel something springy in his belly but it does not growl anymore.I think he is 16". We keep him now in a dry closet, but in a plastic bag. Is that ok? Would you have any idea about his value and real age?

Thanks for any info