ANTIQUE KEWPIE DOLLS

ANTIQUE KEWPIE DOLLS

Antique Kewpie Dolls have been capturing the hearts of collectors around the globe for almost one hundred years. Beloved Antique Kewpie Dolls have been remembered in song, cherished by many, and now are highly sought after by treasure hunters everywhere. Antique Kewpie Dolls, often referred to as “Kewpies,” were adored by little girls years ago because so often this was the very first doll given to them. You'll fall in love too once you've laid eyes on a precious Antique Kewpie Doll.

Antique Kewpie Dolls were first mere illustrations made by a woman named Rose O'Neill, drawing them for Ladies' Home Journal in 1909. O'Neill once described how these Kewpies came to her -- in her dreams. The name Kewpie, she said, was derived from Cupid, the Roman God of Love. Rose O'Neill quickly realized her creations potential as toy dolls and soon her lovable creatures became paper doll cut-outs. These were the first double-sided paper dolls produced in the United States. Not long after, with their popularity growing stronger, Kewpie Dolls would soon find their way into the bedrooms and play houses of little girls everywhere. Manufactured in 1912, Antique Kewpie Dolls were made in Germany. Joseph L. Kallas designed the first Kewpie doll and O'Neill was so pleased she gave him exclusive rights to her beloved Kewpies. Made from bisque, these dolls came in various sizes all modeled on O'Neill's designs. Kallas' company, Came Doll Products, continues to make Kewpies and many other dolls to this day.

Bisque Antique Kewpie Dolls are known for their molded and painted topknot hair, expressive painted eyes, and adorable smiles and in some cases, a pair of tiny blue wings. Finding such a doll in good condition might easily fetch more than a thousand dollars. These cute moppets have been produced in nearly every size imaginable -- anywhere from 1 inch to 3 feet in height. Antique Kewpie Dolls were also made out of wood pulp and chalk, though the bisque models tend to be the more highly prized. Because of the Kewpie Dolls growing popularity, of course imitations flooded the market place. The most popular of these knock-offs was a doll made from celluloid -- what we now know is a highly unstable compound widely used during World War I.

Today's Kewpie Dolls are crafted out of vinyl and one of the more well-known manufacturers is the Charisma Company owned by Marie Osmond. There's nothing wrong with owning and loving a modern day Kewpie, but one should know what it is they are buying. Obviously, a collector must be careful not to bid on a reproduction, thinking it is in fact an original Antique Kewpie Doll. Most O'Neill Kewpies have labels, but to be sure you have a bisque original, Rose O'Neill's name should appear on the bottom of the doll's feet. To learn more about Antique Kewpie Dolls, you can join various Kewpie Doll clubs. There are also many books to help a new collector find the Antique Kewpie Doll of their dreams. Two very good resources are Kewpie Dolls & Art With Value Guide and Rose O'Neill Kewpies and Other Works.

Very few collectibles bring such joy and warmth as an Antique Kewpie Doll. Rose O'Neill created timeless treasures that are as lovable today as they were a century ago. Remarking about her adorable creations, O'Neill described her Kewpies as, “always searching out ways to make the world better and funnier.” Track down an Antique Kewpie Doll for yourself and you'll soon see why.

Heisey Orchid Glass


When one thinks of the word elegant, Heisey Orchid Glass easily comes to mind. Heisey Orchid Glass has been finding its way into hearts and homes all over the world since the dawn of the 20th Century. The quality of the glass and its inspirational etchings has made Heisey Orchid Glass a hard to find item because it is sought after by collectors everywhere. Heisey Orchid Glass was some of the finest tableware ever produced in America and you'll soon know why once you've obtained your first piece. Surely, it won't be your last.

Heisey Orchid Glass owes its name to A. H. Heisey who was born in Germany. His family settled in the United States and as a young man he became a glass clerk with the King Glass Company. The Civil War interrupted his career, but soon thereafter he returned to what he loved best, selling glassware. In 1895 Heisey moved to Newark, Ohio and the very next year he opened the glass factory that would bear his name. One of the company's most popular pieces was his Heisey Orchid Glass.

All Heisey glass was marked with either a raised “Diamond H” directly in the glass or with a paper sticker. Each etching produced by the company was given a number. Heisey Orchid Glass bears the number #507 and depicts in fine detail and stunning clarity the beautiful orchid. The number of Heisey Glass Orchid items is endless: candlesticks, crimped bowls, cocktail stems, water goblets, sugar and creamers and floral bowls to name just a few. Once you've seen the Heisey Orchid Glass pattern #507 in person and familiarize yourself with its amazing design, you'll know it's like no other. As a collector you'll need to learn what reproductions look and feel like so you won't be fooled by an imitation. You can find a very helpful book on Heisey Orchid Glass and other Heisey glassware in Heisey Glass 1896-1957 Identification and Value Guide by Neila and Tom Bredehoft.

From 1896 through 1957, the superb glassware produced by A.H. Heisey and company found its way into discerning American homes and endures as a fine collectible to this day. The company's etchings continue to be extremely popular because they are nothing less than breathtaking. One example of Heisey Orchid Glass's popularity -- it was a staple of bridal registration choices for so many young couples starting out. Most dealers classify Heisey Orchid Glass as “elegant” Depression era glass. But unlike most Depression Glass, once you've held one of the company's signature pieces in your hand, you'll feel that it's heavier. Run your finger across Heisey Orchid Glass and you'll notice the fine finish. Heisey Orchid Glass is remarkable because each and every piece that left their factory was simply... flawless.

Unfortunately, Heisey glassware failed to spark hold America's interest. By mid-century the days of the formal dinner party were ending as America invaded the suburbs. Soon, economy replaced elegance and Heisey closed its doors for good. Luckily, collector interests in their creations have only increased with time. Heisey Orchid Glass has never been more popular which makes hunting down each piece an authentic treasure.

Antique Collecting

ANTIQUE COLLECTING

Antique Collecting can be a great hobby for anyone. It can cost as little or as much as you want to spend. Antiques come in every size and shape and some are little known about or very well known. Antique collecting can be glass items, pottery, clothing, tools or just about anything that has value from times long ago. If you have a love for the old items that may have been used by your grandmother or great grandmother then this may be a hobby for you. Antique collecting does take a certain amount of learning and research to understand and learn about the value of real antiques from fake ones. Doing some reading about antique collecting can greatly improve your learning curve to help you find that perfect antique to display.

After you have done your research on some antiques that you may want to find now is a good time to try and attain some. Antique collecting can be a fun and exciting adventure. A good source to locate some quality antiques is through online auctions such as Ebay. There are thousands of listings for almost any item that you could be searching for. Another good source of obtaining some antique collectibles is estate sales or yard sales. One never knows if there is a treasure to be found in a box of so-called junk. I have found some great items in junk boxes. Some people have no idea what the value is or what they may be giving away as mere junk. That is the fun of going on a treasure hunt for an antique to put in your collection. You may even find something that you were not even looking for but it was just to good of a value to pass by.

Antique malls are another good way to find and buy some antique collectibles. You may be paying a higher price for the antiques that you may find here because the finders fee is already included. Antique malls are still a great way to shop and look and learn about antique collecting. Shopping in an antique mall is another great source of adding a value to items that may be of interest to you. It never hurts to hunt around and get a real value of your antiques. An antique price guide book is another good source of information to have at your side where deciding a price to pay for an antique.

Antique collecting is a wonderful hobby for people of all ages. The enjoyment of the hunt and the treasures that can be found make this a grand sport. Antique collecting may be a very addictive hobby to get into but one that I wouldn't give up for the world. I love the challenge of the hunt and the quest to have an item that is totally unique and might only be a handful left in the world. Antique collecting is a passion that will grow as you begin your hunt for that rare treasure to display in your home.

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