You will need to register to look up your Lladro figurines. Now this one may seem a bit strange because, well, it is Dumbo, the elephant that had ginormous ears and decided to use… The best way to spot it is to check the base for the iconic crossed swords logo. If the surface is rough or feels soft or flimsy, it is very unlikely that your piece is genuine ivory or bone. Meissen is highly recognisable, specialising mainly in figures in 17th century costume. A dealer can tell you that an item is worth little when it is actually worth a lot of money. Most capodimonte figurines bear the artist's … Look for Marks and Signatures The first step in identifying and valuing antiques and collectibles is often determining the maker of the item by researching a mark or signature. Color on the figurine. While modestly priced Hummels dominate the market, exceptional examples of these rosy-cheeked children can sell between several hundred to several thousand dollars. How much a figure is worth depends greatly on how pristine or how beat up it is. As Rolls Royce is to cars and Tiffany is to jewellery, so is Meissen to porcelain. Meissen is highly recognisable, specialising mainly in figures in 17th century costume. The company was founded in Germany in the 1700s and was the first manufacturer in Europe to discover the secret of Chinese porcelain. The six basic grades of condition are as follows: Once you've determined the condition of your figure you can start researching just how much it's worth. It’s not likely you have a $1 million coin in your pocket, but if you were given a collection, some of those coins might have significant value. So once you determine the value of your figure, know that it is simply a rough estimate of the current going rate. Others with suggested … So even though you've found a price for a figure last year, you should check again to see if the current market value has risen or fallen. Lutz (handmade) Another very valuable variety is the Lutz marble. Now they can be found at toy conventions, mint in package, for less than their original retail price. In fact, a sulphide marble featuring Teddy Roosevelt sold for $4,500 in a 2011 sale. Sulphide marbles (which feature animals and other figures inside clear glass) are very rare, as they have not been produced for around 100 years, Rarer still are those featuring human figures. Also, keep up with trends and beware of fads. If you have got your hands on the real thing, congratulations! Action figure collecting can be very profitable when you know what you're looking for and, more importantly, what you have. Their appeal continues today, as the scarcity of some styles has driven prices to record heights. English maker Royal Doulton was founded in the Potteries at Stoke-on-Trent in 1815. Also, keep in mind that the value of a figure is how much a collector could be willing to pay for it, but not at all how much a dealer will be willing to pay for it. by Dr. Lori Verderame. Of course, most dealers are not crooks, but business is business. If you can’t see it, bear in mind that up until 1722 sequences of letters (KPM, MPM or KPF) were used. Firstmost, is the trademark. It produced a wide range of crockery, cookware and even jewellery in addition to its wildly popular figurines. A big difference is that old figures were made in press molds vs. the more modern slip molds. ... General guidelines for the value of Lladró figurines: Bigger is better: Larger, more elaborate pieces tend to be more valuable than smaller figures, especially if the piece only has one figure. Obviously, the latter are more valuable. Consulting a Lladró value guide will come in handy should you stumble across a Lladró figurine at your next estate sale. artist capodimonte chairs figurines marks. Enter your figurine details into the site and it will tell you the name, sculptor, date the piece was issued and when it was retired, plus the current value and original sale price. ... As with all collectibles, condition and rarity will … Some figures simply fall out of fashion and others have a meteoric rise, only to fall just as quickly and stay at the bottom. But first, keep this in mind; the prices for anything on the collectible market are not set in stone and can fluctuate over time and from one venue to another. The easiest way to identify porcelain figurines as opposed to earthenware or stoneware figurines is to examine the piece. However, there is no way of knowing FOR SURE without a real test made by an experienced technician. Reis is a freelance writer who has been collecting action figures for over 30 years, starting with a 1978 Darth Vader action figure. They may also have a high monetary value—especially if they are Lladró figurines. Read on to discover what … Only one of the "Original 21" is still available. Luckily for you, help is at hand with our crash course in identifying valuable porcelain figurines. So it is best to identify figurines by their Hummel identification number. Here’s how to tell the difference between authentic and reproduction Staffordshire figures. Action # 2.. Don't give up! On a price list put together by Antique-HQ.com, Hummel figures with a suggested retail price of $1,000 or more as of April 2015 include the 13-inch "Shepherd's Boy," the 7.5-inch "Adventure Bound," the 8.5-inch "Christmas Delivery," the 10.25-inch "Forever Friends" the and 8.25-inch "Learning To Share." Document the damage as well, which will help dealers assist you in valuing your item. It’s most valuable piece is Queen of the Nile, which sells for around $15,000. If you hope to one day resell your figures on the collectible market, you must determine its value according to the demand for the figure and the condition (or grading) it's in. Share. These logos have been simple yet elegant in design. Whether it was a gift from a well-meaning friend or an impulse purchase, many of us have a Funko Pop Vinyl or two sitting at home. Apart from eBay which needs separate consideration (see free cheat-sheet download here), learning how to get inside the various auctioneer platforms is the key to researching the value of your items.Some auctioneer platforms are open source, but you need to be prepared to learn how to get into them. The best way to determine a Lladró’s value is by consulting a Lladró value guide. Each conveying such a unique meaning or imagery, that fans and collectors of Swarovski crystals can even be defined by the particular logo to which they favor. While less valuable than Meissen or Lladro, Royal Doulton figures have a huge collector base and can sell for substantial sums on online market sites. Those porcelain figurines sitting in your mother or grandmother’s china hutch may not only have sentimental value. If you’re vaguely familiar with antiques and know how to conduct an internet search, then you can at least try to appraise your antiques on your own online. Ivory, along with many types of bone, are very smooth to the touch, and feel substantial, hard, and durable. Our in-house Swarovski expert, Annemarie van Orsouw, is an avid Swarovski collector herself and has been trading crystal figurines for years. To find this number, carefully flip your Hummel upside down. Porcelain figurines are not necessarily the sexiest collectibles out there, but they can often be found in large numbers in thrift stores. Sign up for all the latest collecting news, expert blogs and auction lots from around the world. In order to assess the worth of "Star Wars" action figures, toys, posters, or some other collectible, several factors must be considered. Gold Plated/Washed/GP: Base metal (copper, brass, pot metal) with a very thin electrically deposited gold … Flip the item over. In order to avoid some of these con jobs, it is best to fa… In 1876, Franz Goebel started a porcelain firm near the town of Oeslauby, Germany. Most Valuable Hummel Figurines Some names of Hummel figurines have changed over time. If you know what an everyday coin looks like, you are more likely to notice when one is a little different. According to Geoffrey Carlton, author of "The Star Wars Super Collector's Wishbook" ... Identify your collectible as vintage or modern. The value of a Hummel figurine is also higher if it is in its original box. Click and drag the Collect It button to your browser's Bookmark Bar. There are a lot of manufacturers that used that mark and from the looks of it, I don't think its the real capodimonte figurine. Dr. Lori reveals how to tell if your Hummel figurines are real and valuable. 2. Condition – Obviously any damage, scratches, fading, etc will reduce the figurine’s value. Second, is the mold number, third is the size of your Hummel and last but not least is the condition your Hummel is in. All activity on JustCollecting is rewarded with exclusive points which can be used to spend on amazing products, special discounts and entry into monthly competitions. For example, a 1985 “Yak Face” collectible from Kenner is worth $2,300 in boxed, mint condition and $300 loose. I have seen many items by Clay Sketches priced from $30.00 for a set of three birds (that's … Individual pieces can sell for everything from $10 to $10,000 depending on their rarity and quality. If you can’t see it, bear in mind that up until 1722 sequences of letters (KPM, MPM or KPF) were used. Check both the bottom and back of a china figurine. There are some shady people out there, that will try to take advantage of the evolutionary changes that Hummel has made with their products. This will give an idea of how old the Hummel figurine is. For those collectors who look to their collections as a financial investment, knowing the value of each action figure is extremely important. Hummel mark: Beside the Goebel mark, there is also a mold number on the bottom of vintage, authentic Hummel figurines. 1. For glass, take a picture of the bottom, even if there is no sticker. answer #2. CatherineM. But, how do you know if what you’ve found in your local antiques store is worth anything? Hello. There is an extremely dedicated army of collectors out there. Goebel mark: The Goebel mark appears on the bottom of each figurine can indicate when it was made. T… Set email alerts so you never miss an auction lot again. This will tell you if it's hand-blown or molded glass (seams), which may help you narrow down possibilities. Hack your way into the best online price guides. So if you decide to sell a figure that's valued at $100, a dealer, who needs to make a profit and can only sell it for its current value, will only offer you $50, possibly less. Lladro porcelain is produced in Spain and has a large collector base. Customise your homepage so only you item of interest to you. There are ways to know the relative value of items without the use of expensive equipment or special expertise. It’s also considerably easier to find at car boot sales. Set aside those that look different until you have time for a closer examination. After several years of porcelain production in the factory, Franz’s son William expanded the Goebel product line and changed the company name to W. Goebel Porzellanfabrik. Edelweiss Flower– Between 1899 and 1988, the Swarovski company, then known as A. Kosmann, D. Swarovski & Co. or KS & Co. for short, used the flower that symbolized Austria, alpinism, and purity. It is about 8" in height and is of a chair maker. Check out the A Retired Collection website, which deals in the resale of Lladro figures. She knows the market inside and out and was kind enough to share some advice on how to determine the value of Swarovski crystals. For example, a figurine with a registration number of 4CO/232 will be more sought after than the same model with registration number IVH2/736. The Spruce Crafts uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience and for our, How to Care for Your Action Figure Collection, Top 5 Most Valuable Star Wars Action Figures, Action Figure Repair: Reshaping Bent Plastic, Determining the Pricing Old Glass Bottles, A Handy Price Guide for Your Antique Dolls, Tips for Buying and Selling Dolls on the Collector's Market, 6 Action Figures Companies You Need to Know. Lladro uses a bellflower symbol and is one of the highest quality names on the market. via GIPHY A quality value guide lists pertinent details on many current and/or retired Lladró figurines. On eBay, many of them sell in the under $30 range. Founded in 1953, it was an instant success, and the range of figures the company has produced is huge. The uniform dime size holes from slip casts at the base prove a modern reproduction. If you have got your hands on the real thing, congratulations! I have attached photos. Limited edition pieces are generally more valuable for the same reason of limited availability but they usually start out with a higher price and therefore it is unusual to see a sudden jump in the value that might be associated with a retired figurine. An unscrupulous dealer could easily mislead you as to the value of your goods. Value Factor #1: Age In general, the older the figurine, the more valuable it will be. A Few Terms. From the variations of their trademarks and logos, to the slight changes to a figurine’s updated design. Run your finger over the piece to assess how smooth the surface is, and how durable it feels. Since 1899 right up until today, Swarovski has been using specific logos to trademark its products. The following provides broad guidelines and indicators for valuing your figurines. Part of what makes the Precious Moments figurines worth so much money is that only one of the “Original 21” figurines is still available for purchase In fact, before you get your hopes up too much, you should know that a lot of Precious Moments figurines aren't worth very much at all. Both cute and coveted by collectors, Hummel figurines were one of the hottest collectibles of the 20th century. Value of my figurine? There are many different tricks that some of these people will try to use, to dupe unaware victims out of their hard earned money. 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