Kovels.com: The Rise and Fall of 7 Fad Collectibles
Cleveland, OH (PRWEB) January 17, 2014 -- Buyer beware of fads that have faded—not all fads make great collectibles or great investments. Many heirs today are surprised to learn how little a collection of limited editions is worth. Lesson: Don’t be taken in by either enormous or bargain prices. Here is Kovels.com’s list of seven once-popular collectibles that have little value now.
1. Hummels
The figurines of children with sweet faces, based on the artwork of German nun, Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel, were first made in 1935 by W. Goebel Porzellanfabrik in Germany. They became popular in the U.S. after soldiers returning from World War II brought them home as gifts for Moms and Grandmothers. The original quantities made sold quickly and soon old figurines, identified by the mark, rose in price. More collectors were buying, more were made—eventually too many for collectors—and interest dropped. The secondary market for the figurines disappeared. W. Goebel sold the rights to the figurines and Hummels are now made in Japan and sold to gift shops. There is a collector’s club with a newsletter and special small figurines for members. Old figurines are difficult to sell. Part of the most famous collection of Hummels was sold in Ohio in 2013, the rest to be sold in 2014. Twenty-nine pieces sold for over $2,000 each, including an international figurine depicting a girl wearing a Czechoslovakian costume that went for $5,000. Many sold for $20 to $100.
2. Beanie Babies
In 1993, Ty Warner, Inc., later renamed Ty Inc., introduced a line of small bean bag animals called Beanie Babies. Each sold for $5 and had its name and “birthday” on an attached hang tag. They soon created a secondary market of their own. By 1995 Beanie Babies were hot collectibles. Hundreds of different animals were made, some in limited or special editions, some were “retired” and became hard to find. The Beanie Baby craze ended in 1999, when Ty Inc. stopped production. Now most old Beanie Babies are sold in “dump displays” at shows or in large lots at auction for about $5. Even rarities like Peanut the Elephant are selling well below the predicted price.
Beanie Babies are back in the news because some online ads are offering buy-it-now Beanies for thousands of dollars – some for hundreds of thousands. A closer look shows no one is bidding or buying. Beanie Babies collectors with a stash in their closets have to take a moment and realize that a seller can list an item for any price at all, but that doesn’t mean their item will sell for an outrageous asking price.
3. Limited Edition Plates and more
“Limited edition” became part of the collector’s vocabulary during the 1970s. At first plates, then figurines, then dolls, silver ingots and prints were promoted as limited editions, limited by quantity or period of production. It was a new idea that became a fad. Collectors saw prices of old editions rise, ads promoted “investment” possibilities, and many people bought large collections then were shocked in the 1990s when prices plummeted and the “investment” turned out to be a loss.
The limited edition plate market became specialized by the 1970s. Clubs were formed and conventions were held so collectors could buy and sell older editions. Collector plates, Christmas plates and ornaments, anything Franklin Mint—dolls, coins, figurines and die-cast cars—Norman Rockwell merchandise, paperweights, figurines, bells, enamel boxes, spoons, mugs and steins have all been offered in limited editions. Once popular, many are now considered kitsch. They languish in closets, yard sales or resale shops and are very slow to sell. To have any value, the original box and paperwork must be included.
4. Precious Moments
Artist and illustrator, Samuel Butcher, began drawing pictures of endearing children in the 1970s. He and a friend began a small company to make and sell greeting cards and posters that featured his “Precious Moments” artwork and uplifting messages. In 1978, Enesco Corp. developed a line of porcelain Precious Moments figurines. Demand was high. Sales kept growing, too many different figurines were made, and the market crashed. Many buyers still love them but they sell for very low prices. At a recent charity auction, over 50 different figurines were offered at $10 each.
5. Cabbage Patch Kids
Cabbage Patch Kids were created by art student Xavier Roberts, in 1978 and were one of the most popular fads of the 1980s. Roberts’ original dolls were handmade and he called them “Little People.” The Cabbage Patch Kids each had a cloth body, plastic or vinyl head and came with adoption papers. They had one-of-a-kind names and profiles. Later, the company was bought and many, many dolls were made. The early Xavier Roberts’ Little People dolls still sell for high prices. Most later Cabbage Patch dolls sell for $10 to $30 now.
6. Thomas Kinkade Paintings
Thomas Kinkade (1958–2012) began selling his oil paintings of idyllic scenes in supermarket parking lots. He later mass-marketed printed reproductions and many licensed products (mugs, stationary, vases, books, etc.), often using the limited edition plan, and characterizing himself as the “Painter of Light.” His prints were promoted with hard-hitting ads and direct mail. Too many franchised stores were opened. Thomas Kinkade died, prices of all Kinkade items dropped, but Kinkade paintings are still copied and sold, retailing for $350 and up.
7. Longaberger baskets
The handcrafted wood baskets made by the Longaberger Basket Company of Newark, Ohio became a hot collectible in the 1990s. The company issued expensive limited edition baskets, collectors got swept up searching for them, and prices went up. After a while, the resale market collapsed. Today there are low prices for even the most expensive baskets. They can be found at flea markets and online for under $40, a fair price for a basket wanted for its use.
Terry Kovel is America’s foremost authority on antiques and collectibles. She is a well-known columnist and the author of more than 100 books on antiques and collecting. With her daughter, Kim Kovel, she co-authors the best-selling annual “Kovels Antiques and Collectibles Price Guide.” Both Terry and Kim are collectors. They will discuss antiques and collectibles topics with accredited media. Photographs are available. Contact pr(at)kovels.com.
About Kovels.com
Kovels.com, created by Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel, provides collectors and researchers with up-to-date and accurate information on antiques and collectibles. Kovels’ Antiques was founded in 1953 by Terry Kovel and her late husband, Ralph. Since then, Kovels’ Antiques has published some of America’s most popular books and articles about antiques, including the best-selling “Kovels’ Antiques and Collectibles Price Guide,” now in its 46th edition. The Kovels’ website, online since 1998, and free weekly email, “Kovels Komments,” give readers a bird’s-eye view of the market through the latest news, auction reports, free online Price Guide, a Marks Dictionary, readers’ questions with Kovels’ answers and much more.
Contact Information:
Liz Lillis
216.752.2252
Pr(at)kovels(dot)com
Liz Lillis, Kovels.com, http://www.kovels.com, +1 (216) 752-2252, [email protected]
Share this article