I will begin this blog with some of the collections I have come across in my experience as an auctioneer in Illinois. Most are normal-ordinary-unexciting. Some are laughable-scary-a little on the stomach turning variety.
The first collection is very common. It is the collection of Goebel Hummels. The first Berta Hummel creation was made in the 30's. This creative nun invented the army of little figurines dressed in Liederhsoen and country dresses. The little boys were happy playing musical intruments or hiking etc. The little girls were playing with ducks, geese, swinging on swings and happily passing their days.
These little statuettes survived WWII and moved into the US as collectibles. In the 50s, 60,s 70,s and 80s , their enormous popularity increased their value tremendously. As they moved into the 90s and 2000, they began a slide in the collection popularity. Was it the selling of the business to Goebel who began to resurrect retired molds and recreate the originals. They were cranked out in hundreds of thousands. Rarity is one of the attributes of value in a collection. They were no longer rare.
The Ebay resale market has tanked. Our auctions in turn suffered. We are wholesalers to the Ebayers. But, the generations that have collected are passing. Their children are looking for a way to cash out "Mom's" little figurines. They are expecting the money "Mom" paid for the little devils. Unless they find others who are still collecting, it won't happen.
My next post will deal with another collection. Until then............
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