Collectible Figurines
collectible glass figurines
Why Start a Collectible Figurines Hobby?
Executive Summary about collectible figurines by Jarad Nelson
Figurines are great things to collect. They can transform any home into a personal and originally decorative domain you have created out of your own imagination. A figurine, often referred to as a small statue or even a doll, usually depicts an often embellished humanoid or animal figure. These statuette’s, because of their size, make worthy collectors and/or decorative items.
Figurines, these days, are made from many different types of materials, like ceramic, for example. Figurines used to be created for religious or ceremonial reasons, but like any piece of art, they are now found in many forms, shapes and sizes to satisfy the more decorative reasoning of our modern day culture.
Here are some types you could get:
owl figurines
frog figurines
elephant figurines
gargoyle figurines
border terrier figurine
eagle figurines
buddah figurines
great dane figurines
The person with the figurine fetish may stick to only 1 famous figurine brand. These could include household names such as Royal Doulton Figurines which are sought after by many avid collectors.
The amount of choices you have regarding figurine types can be quite overwhelming. Most often, newbie collectors will begin with a specific type of figurine, such as dragon figurines or figurines of a specific material, such as ceramic figurines. The budget for figurines can be quite low or very high, depending on what you are prepared to pay. Royal Doulton figurines for example can cost over $200 for one item. On the other hand you could pay about $12 for a decent ceramic figurine if you prefer. Searching action sites, flea markets or other swap and trade type sites could yield many treasures if you look carefully!
Figurines, (or statuette’s / miniatures) are common place in our society as gift and home decor items. You have most likely seen them many places before and may even have bought one or two for your home. The problem with gift items is their prices, due to all the costs and low profit margins around selling these in brick and mortar stores. This makes the internet the saving grace for gift buyers or figurine collectors due to the low costs of doing business, the range of items and the competition.
So, whether you are looking for an item to create a world class collection (which will increase in value over the years!), something beautiful to decorate your home, or even a thoughtful gift for a loved one, a figurine can be the perfect choice.
Shopping Tips for Collectible Figurines
Executive Summary about collectible figurines by Monica Wogan
Precious Moments collectible figurines are among the most popular in the world. Doe-eyed boys and girls made in pastel ceramics adorn the shelves, dressers, and display areas of countless homes. There are numerous types and styles of figurines that people can buy to build a personal collection in addition to the dolls and bears that so many shoppers enjoy.
When shopping for your favorites, check to be sure that the item is genuine. Copycat manufacturers abound, much to a shopper’s chagrin, so look at the signature label and sales tag to see if you are purchasing the collectible that you’re after. If in doubt, ask the sales associate for assistance. Try to shop on a sale day. You can visit the online Website or write a letter if you prefer. A telephone call to the toll-free number (if one is available) is another way to inquire about upcoming promotions or sales events as well as possible discounts. You can always check Ebay or Amazon as well if you don’t mind buying used. With collectible items, this may not matter if you plan to hold on to the item for collector’s purposes with a view to eventually selling valuable pieces.
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Edit Themes ‹ Gifts and Collectibles — WordPressCollectible Dolls
collectible baby doll
Doll Collecting – The Second Biggest Hobby in the United States
Executive Summary about collectible dolls by Evelyn Whitaker
With all the different doll manufacturers there are today, it can sometimes get confusing on what kind of doll is best to buy. Do you want a hand crafted doll, Artist doll, play doll, designer doll, licensed doll? Germany although, is known throughout the world for their quality made dolls. The following is a list of the different types of dolls most manufacturers produce today.
Artist Dolls:
These dolls are specialty dolls often designed to look very much like a real child or person and are among the most expensive. Newly made original Artist dolls can cost up to and over $5,000. That’s a hefty price to pay for most doll collectors. Once the dolls are sold out, the mold is broken and the dolls are not made again. The artists that make these dolls usually have contracts with specific manufacturers. For example, Hildegard Guenzel is a well known artist that produces dolls for Goetz.
Artist dolls are not the type of doll you would want to buy for child’s play. These sorts of dolls are bought mostly by doll collectors between the ages of 30 – 45 and average in price of around $600 give or take a few hundred.
Variation Dolls:
A variation doll is a doll that stays in production usually for a few years or longer. From year to year certain features of the doll may change. Each year you may see slight variations in the same dolls.
Variation dolls are not as expensive as Artist dolls. Classic Collection Dolls:
Classic dolls are usually replicas of older dolls dating back to the late 1800’s to early 1900’s. Hand Crafted Dolls:
These dolls can be manufactured by the companies themselves or sometimes you will even find these dolls designed by artists. Hand Crafted dolls are also sought after by collectors..
Licensed Dolls:
These dolls are dolls that the manufacturer has licensing rights to sell or produce. For example, Goetz manufacturers a “Harry Potter” doll under a special licensing agreement. Engel-Puppen has a special licensing agreement with Goebel to produce the Hummel dolls. These dolls can vary from expensive limited editions to play dolls.
Play Dolls:
Play dolls are made especially for children. There are hundreds of variations of play dolls. Manufacturers of play dolls are always careful to make sure the dolls are made of non-toxic materials and flame retardant clothing. Most of these dolls are made especially soft for children’s play and includes the bath babies as well. In closing, the doll you decide to purchase most likely will be one that just strikes you, no matter who made the doll. Most often, this is how dolls are purchased.
Caring For Your Collectible Doll
Porcelain Dolls:
Use warm soapy water. Ultra violet rays can be very damaging to porcelain dolls, so when you are displaying your doll, avoid direct sunlight.
Celluloid Dolls:
These dolls are extremely perishable. Proper care and respect of a celluloid doll helps a perfect example remain in that condition.
Cloth Dolls:
Direct sunlight is not good for these dolls. You should also inspect your cloth dolls every now and then for insects. If you decide to vacuum your doll, place a nylon screen over the fabric first to protect the delicate fibers. Most often, a good vacuuming is enough to restore a doll to display condition. If you doll is badly soiled, get the advice of a professional who specializes in preserving textiles.
Sometimes you can use an eraser or art gum, tapeten and reinger-and-absorene to clean your cloth doll. Apply the hair spray with a cloth, and wipe in a light rubbing motion with a clean white cloth.
Moth crystals should be placed near your dolls.
Composition and paper-mache Dolls:
These dolls pretty much require the same care as the cloth type dolls. Never store composition or paper-mache dolls in a hot or cold attic, or in a damp basement.
There are many popular ways for cleaning composition, but first always test it on an inconspicuous area of the doll and work quickly – never leave any cleaning agent on the doll for any length of time. Pond’s Cold Cream or Vaseline and a soft tissue work well for these dolls. Another option is paste window cleaner but not the ammonia type.
Hard Plastic Dolls:
These types of dolls are very resilient and can be cleaned with almost any soap detergent. You can clean stubborn stains with cold cream or waterless hand cleaner. Avoid chlorine, bleach and ammonia. After each cleaning, wash the doll with mild soap and rinse well.
Rubber Dolls:
If you have a “Magic Skin Doll” always wear cotton gloves when handling her. Rubbing corn starch on these kinds of dolls twice a year will help to preserve the dolls’ life. Maintain an even temperature and avoid changes in humidity.
Tin Dolls:
Try to keep these dolls in a constant temperature environment.
Vinyl Dolls:
Vinyl dolls are probably the most lifelike in appearance and touch. Extreme room temperatures are harmful. Vinyl is also sensitive to fluorescent light; use indirect non-fluorescent lights. Finally, avoid tightly sealed show cases or glass domes because condensation can form and damage vinyl dolls.
Wooden Dolls:
Chipping paint is a major problem with wooden dolls. Keep wooden dolls in a dry atmosphere. Knocks and bumps can also chip paint, so take care in moving or displaying wooden dolls.
Wax Dolls:
Wax dolls can be intimidating to many collectors. They do require special care, but so do all types of dolls. Basic care and common sense will help preserve a wax doll in perfect condition. Of course, never place a wax doll in direct sunlight or near any heat source, such as a fireplace mantle.
The best way to start cleaning these types of dolls is to use a solution of cool water and Woolite. Saturate a cotton ball or a Q-tip and wash the wax. Never use turpentine to clean wax dolls because it can soften the wax!
Tips for Barbie Doll Collectors:
Remember those Barbie Dolls with the earrings and how it would eventually create green deposits around the ear? Here’s a way to remove it:
Cover the ears with a small piece of cotton soaked in Tarn-X silver cleaner. If the ears are still green, replace the saran wrap. After several days, flake off the dried baking soda and clean the area with warm, soapy water on a Q-tip. Carefully remove the head from the body and clean inside and out with a Q-tip soaked in alcohol. The baking soda will neutralize the chemicals and absorb the extracted grease.
Old Tips Recommended By Some Doll Collectors
Then lay the doll in the sun. To remove milk therapy, follow with a warm soapy water wash and rinse.
- To restore color to faded cloth: sponge with chloroform.
- To clean old ivory: scrub with Ivory soap; bleach in the sun for several days, reapplying the soapy solution often.
- To remove tar: clean first with turpentine, then clean with Lux soap.
- To remove paint: Patient rubbing with chloroform.
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Diecast Models
diecast model cars
Diecast Model Cars – A History
Executive Summary about diecast models by Colin Lloyd
There is quite a long history of craftsmen building detailed miniature replicas of transport vehicles and machinery, but it wasn’t until 1934 that diecast model cars and lorries arrived on the market in any great numbers.
At that time the model cars and trucks weren’t regarded as collectable items in their own right – they were produced to lend added realism to model railways.
One of the sets, Meccano Set No 21, was embellished with six diecast models, consisting of a motor truck, a sports coupe, a delivery van, a sports car, a farm tractor, and an Army tank. These were the first Dinky models, issued under the “Meccano Modelled Miniatures” label, as Set No. 22.
The Dinky sets had diecast alloy bodies and tinplate radiators and rubber tyres. The Armstrong Siddely had a footman and chauffeur. Just before the Second World War some superb military models were produced, including tanks with catterpillar tracks and rotating turrets.
In the 1950s, new production techniques heralded a new era in the history of diecast model cars. This new generation of diecast vehicles, with finer detail, better running gear, and better color finish, leads up to the present day, where millions of precision diecast replica models are produced, at quite affordable prices for the collector.
The History of Diecast Model Cars
Executive Summary about diecast models by Rod Low
The production of diecast model cars and other vehicles started in the year 1934.At that time, diecast cars and trucks were merely an addition to model railways, to make them more realistic, therefore not really regarded as collectibles by people.
As we know, lead breaks easily, thus it was not possible to build the models to a good level of detail. Soon, manufacturers realize that there is a great market for such models. They began to build diecast models based on actual vehicles, for example, Dinky Set 36A was based on the Armstrong Siddely, 36B a Bentley, and 36F a Salmon sports car. Gradually, the quality and emphasis on detail improved dramatically.
Models started to have diecast alloy bodies, rubber tyres and tinplate radiators, and miniature figurines were also included. Later, more types of diecast vehicles came out, like tanks, boats and airplanes. The 1950s was another important chapter in the history of diecast vehicles. New production methods were found, and new competitors entered the market, thus satisfying the collectors’ desire for more variety and detail. Diecast models created during these times have better running gear and finer details, much more comparable to the ones made in the present day.
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Vintage Toys
vintage fisher price toys
Collecting Antique Vintage Toys
Executive Summary about vintage toys by Art Morse
Antique Vintage Toys are a Favorite collectible
The joy of collecting antique vintage toys is very appealing to people because it can be a fun, and wise investment. Generally toys which have reached the age of roughly fifty years will be considered antique. The word vintage has a slightly looser meaning than the word antique among sellers of these items. With any collectible you need to be acutely aware of the condition of the item. Excellent condition can often mean two or three times the value of just good condition. Mint condition can even result in many times more than the value of an item in just good condition. You should also ask any questions you may have regarding the authenticity of antique vintage toys to be sure that the information is jiving correctly with what you already know about certain toys from certain periods. Vintage items offer a great means of investment because they are getting rarer every day. It is never possible to truly predict what will become a collectible in the future, and the last thing anyone thought about in the past was that in the future a cheap little toy would become a valuable antique that would be highly sought after by collectors. A true specialist will be familiar with not only the proper repair process for wood or metal toys, but also how to fix issues without causing any more market devaluation than necessary. Some collectors will seek out damaged items at rock bottom prices and then spend some money on having them properly restored to near original condition. The antique vintage toys market is very strong today, like they say “They just don’t make them like that anymore” and unfortunately they never will again.
Building a Collection of Vintage Toy Cars
Executive Summary about vintage toys by Adam M Rise
This passion begins right from childhood as kids get toy cars. The collection of toy cars is a great passion as people try to have different types of cars. For many of these people, their collections seem more worthwhile when they have some pieces of vintage toy cars.
This, however, does not mean that your collection will not be complete unless you have vintage toy cars that represent every model. When you begin collecting vintage car toys, you will realize the sheer number of people who share your passion. This means that you will easily find useful pieces of information from your fellow vintage toy car enthusiasts, and as a result you will be able to build your collection fairly smoothly. Some of the places where you may get your collection of vintage toy cars are local garage sales. As your network of vintage toy car collectors grows, people will get in touch with you whenever they find something valuable.
Another place that you can go to for your search of vintage toy cars is over the Internet.
Here too, you should build your reputation as a vintage toy cars collector and sellers will get in touch with you.
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Antique Dolls
antique vintage dolls
Antique Dolls
Executive Summary about antique dolls by Peter Gitundu
Antique dolls were mostly popular with children and little girls. While playing with them, the children mostly dressed and undressed them. This makes them mostly worn out. They have been patched and re-patched. Antique dolls can not be easily purchased over the Internet. This is because they are unique in regards to their clothes and looks. If one needs to purchase antique dolls, first and foremost check its condition. They should carefully examine the hairline to ensure that there are no cracks. These cracks tend to increase as the days go by. The body should be in good condition. Replacement of body parts such as the eyes, wigs and other parts can be an expensive affair. It is therefore prudent to avoid items that require such items.
It is also important that one studies magazines with details regarding these ancient items and their dealers. This will enable one to make the correct choice and therefore, a worthwhile purchase. If the overall appearance of this kind of ancient item is pleasing and satisfactory, then one can purchase them. Their prices also of a good range. For instance the German type ranges between two hundred and five hundred dollars.
Antique Doll and Bear Collecting
Executive Summary about antique dolls by Tony Harries
Doll collecting, in particular antique doll collecting, has become the second largest adult hobby in the United States, and many collectibles are now made of plastic. There are alot of experienced collectors, and presumably doll shop owners, ready to help beginner’s with their doll collection. Dolls and bears are sold in shops and at fairs and shows.
Doll Collecting has become a passion for many doll enthusiasts. Collectible dolls are for those of us that still love dolls, despite our age. 10 inch Tiny Baby dolls are the lastest craze in baby doll collecting. Ebay is a great source for learning about Antique doll collecting and selling. Most serious doll collectors are getting hip to Tyler Wentworth dolls, as they are fast becoming some of the most sought-after dolls in the doll collecting world.
Doll collecting has been around for well over 100 years – throughout the past century collectors amassed antique and vintage dolls and dolls intended for children. Collectible dolls presented in an original unopened box will bring very attractive prices.
Good luck in your doll collecting, remember to have fun and share your enjoyment and love of dolls with others.
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Antique Books
rare antique books
Antique Books – Are Yours Valuable?
Executive Summary about antique books by KJ Ross
So you’ve been to a garage sale, an estate sale or an auction, and you’ve hit the mother lode. Boxes of very old books that are obviously antiques. Even though collecting antique books can be very lucrative, the truth is that just because a book is old doesn’t mean that it’s valuable.
Relatively few books are actually still in demand, regardless of their age. Well, the same is true of antique books. Just open up an antique book and start reading. Books by common, unknown authors about common, uninteresting topics are literally a dime a dozen. So just because a book is old doesn’t mean that it’s valuable.
But apart from the author and subject matter of a book, there might be some physical characteristics that a book has which would increase its value as an antique book. Does the book have an unusually beautiful leather binding? Leather bindings tend to be more in demand than cloth or paper bindings, as a rule. And even if an author or illustrator is unknown, if a book has exceptionally nice illustrations it can easily fetch more money as a collectible. But if a book has all the above characteristics and it’s also by a significant author, then you’ve definitely struck gold in the antiquarian book world.
Many people have some old books around, gathering dust, that they continue to hang on to because they believe the books might be worth something. Understand the qualities that make a book valuable, and you will have an idea if the books you’ve been hanging on to are worth keeping.
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