Rare stuffed animal going up for auction in Glendale

GLENDALE, Ariz. - They say treasure is in the eye of the beholder, and this treasure just happens to be worth tens of thousands of dollars.

"This could go for $10,000, $20,000, $30,000, $40,000… really anybody's guess," Neil Redmond said.

EJ's Auction and Appraisal in Glendale got its hands on a rare 1927 Steiff Begging Bonzo dog – a popular cartoon character created by British artist George Studdy.

Redmond, a senior appraiser at EJ's Auction & Appraisal, was in awe.

"This little guy is probably something that caught me by surprise," he said. "I really never thought I would see one."

The goofy-looking dog is just 10 and a half inches long, and velvet, with a swivel head. Only 115 of them were ever made.

"Those 115 went off to who knows where, coming up to auctions periodically around the world from anywhere to $20,000 to $40,000 when they come up to sale," said Redmond.

A rare 1927 Steiff Begging Bonzo dog is expected to sell for thousands at an auction in Glendale.

Originally bought by someone at a flea market, the stuffed animal is now the star of EJ's annual New Year online auction this Saturday. The current bid is already over $4,000.

So a reminder for the next time you're cleaning out the house…

"Have somebody come and take a look at it before you throw it in the trash," said Redmond. "Once it's gone, it's gone forever."

Because your trash could just be someone's expensive treasure.

EJ's Auction & Appraisal
www.ejsauction.com/