Collectibles -> Vanity-Perfume-and-Shaving -> Perfumes

Perfume bottles are a highly collectible item, not just because of their uniqueness and beauty, but because they’re easy to store and display. They’re small, smaller than many other types of collectible items, so even those with limited space can enjoy collecting at least a few of their favorites. They can also be quite valuable ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on the manufacturer and the design. Collecting them is such a popular hobby there are even organizations dedicated to the hobby and a number of books written about collecting different types of bottles.

Most people collect perfume bottles, not necessarily because of the value but because they find them beautiful. As long as there have been perfumed oils and fragrances for the body, there have had to be containers to hold them. While an ancient perfume container is a truly rare find, vintage perfume bottles produced over the last hundred years or so are easy to find in places like online auctions.

Perfume bottles from the 16th and 17th century will probably be Venetian and Murano glass, and can be valuable because they’re handmade, one-of-a-kind. Nineteenth-century bottles might be made from porcelain. Bottles made in the 20th century both benefited and suffered from mass-production. Now the bottles were uniform and exactly alike, allowing a perfumery to duplicate a bottle an infinite number of times, as well as produce more product more quickly for sale. But with that came the decline of hand-made, unique bottles.

One of the most famous perfume bottles created during the mid-20th century is the Lalique L’air du Temps, one any collector shouldn’t be without unless you choose to specialize in a certain type of bottle. This bottle features one or more frosted doves on top of the bottle. Empty bottles from the 1940s can go for anywhere from $50 and up at auction.

Other perfume bottles from these early years of mass production can be worth as much, or more. If you’re interested in the bottles solely for their investment value, it would pay to read some books about collecting them and how to judge the price of the items. Always look for bottles in the original box with any tags or charms still intact.

If you want to collect them mostly for the aesthetics, then it’s just a matter of deciding what you like. There are so many different types of perfume bottles that one could never hope to collect even a small portion of them, so it’s necessary to decide a direction, or decide just to collect a smattering of different styles.

You might choose to collect perfume bottles that held a certain perfume, or fragrances by a specific company. Lalique is a great example of a company that put out many beautiful bottles in different designs for its different scents. You might choose bottles that feature something specific, like flowers. Marc Jacobs’ Daisy has a beautiful flower-topped bottle. Or you might choose bottles from specific countries, or those produced during certain years.

Originally posted 2008-12-03 05:00:09. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Collectibles -> Decorative Collectibles -> Decorative Collectible Brands-> Avon

The Avon Company has been a respected institution in the United States since 1886, and their line of decorative collectibles contain some of the most sought after pieces on record. The company first began producing Avon collectibles in the mid-1960’s and they were instantly a hit. The vast majority of Avon collectibles are containers that once held products, although you can now find plush and other forms that are all valuable.

If you come across an Avon collectible, there are a few ways to make sure that you are dealing with the real thing. First, the piece should have Avon’s mark on the bottom, and may also contain the date that the piece was made. Ideally, if it was intended to hold a product, this should all be there, but finding one of these pieces is rare indeed. If there is no longer product in the Avon collectible, it should be completely clean.

Most Avon collectibles came with a certificate of authenticity. The pieces that still have their original certificates are considered to be the most valuable, so start your search for these pieces first. While there are a few rare models on the market that do not have certificates, generally it is best to find one that does still have this authentication.

For the most part, Avon collectibles are priced in a range that allows most people the chance to get a few pieces. There are a few very rare pieces that will sell in the thousands, but generally, they will be priced anywhere from $50 to $500. The older pieces from the 1960’s will generally fetch more money than newer items, and there is always sentimental value to consider as well.

One of the best places to find rare Avon collectibles is online or at your local flea market. Keep an eye out for these brightly colored figurines, since you never know when you may come across a great value. Always make sure to inspect your piece thoroughly however before you buy it. A single crack can greatly diminish the overall value of a piece.

If you are dealing with an online seller of Avon collectibles, make sure that they include pictures from every angle so that you have a better idea of the overall condition. The pictures should be close enough so that you can see any surface imperfections. If they are not, you may want to ask the seller to provide better photographs so that you know exactly what you are buying.

Avon collectibles are a great way to introduce children into the world of collecting. Their bright colors, fanciful designs and overall lower price make them an ideal starter collection for just about anyone. Whether you are looking for a specific piece that you remember from childhood, or you are completely new to Avon collectibles, this is a fun collection that you can share with the entire family. Consider starting your own collection of Avon collectibles today and see how many great pieces you can find.

Originally posted 2008-08-25 05:00:52. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Collectibles -> Decorative Collectibles -> Franklin Mint

One of the most popular brands of collectibles are Franklin Mint Collectibles. This company is well known throughout the world for providing collectible editions at reasonable prices and they even offer payment plans for their more expensive items. This has allowed thousands, if not millions of people the ability to start their own private collections. No matter what you are interested in collecting, chances are there are Franklin Mint Collectibles that are perfect for you.

Here are just a few of the different types of Franklin Mint Collectibles that are currently available.

Coins

This is actually where the Franklin Mint Collectibles company got their start and they have produced many different collectible coins throughout the years. Most are in gold or silver, but there are a few commemorative coins made out of cheaper materials. For those looking for a higher end collectible from the mint, these are a good choice. Thanks to their payment plan, you can usually end up with a very valuable collection of coins.

Plates

These are probably the most common Franklin Mint Collectibles and hundreds of designs are available. They have plates for events, movies, television characters, singers and pretty much every other topic under the sun. While these may not be incredibly valuable, they are great decorative collectibles and they are fun to amass. For those on a budget, these plates offer a great way to decorate your home.

Figurines

The Franklin Mint Collectibles company also produces collectible figurines. Many of these are designed by the mint and are exclusive to their company, while others are licensed through other venues. These are a little more valuable and more expensive than the plates, but they are still considered to be priced at entry levels. The larger figurines are typically more expensive, but they will also usually be more valuable later on as well.

Books

Although these ended production in 2000, they are still quite popular. The Franklin Mint Collectibles company produced many different collectible books between 1973 and 2000 and offered collectors the rare chance to get some great literature. Although they are no longer made, you can still find these volumes at flea markets, auctions, online auctions and even through local garage sales. For those that love books, this is a natural collectible and there are some great titles that they released that can’t be found anywhere else.

Assorted Collectibles

The Franklin Mint Collectibles company produces numerous types of decorative collectibles, including pocket knives, chess sets and board games, Monopoly special editions, steins, and other common collectibles. Many of these feature pop culture icons and a few are actually quite valuable. These are still in production today and account for a large portion of the company’s business.

No matter what you like to collect, there’s a big chance that the Franklin Mint Collectibles company produces it. While these may not have the same dollar value as vintage collectibles right now, many will continue to grow in value as the years go by.

Photo Credits: kevindooley

Originally posted 2008-09-26 05:15:17. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Collectibles -> Cultures-Ethnicities -> Asian

Japanese art is a type of art that has a very distinctive look. If a painting, a vase, a sculpture or some other type of art is Japanese, particularly if it’s antique art, it usually only takes a quick look for you to recognize the art’s origin. Just as every culture has its own specific properties, the artwork of Japan will always have certain traits in common, no matter what kind of media the artist used to express himself.

Some of the most popular pieces of antique Japanese art are, of course, the paintings. Scroll paintings are distinctively Asian, and come in many sizes and levels of detail. Authentic scroll paintings only dating back as far as the early 20th century cost as little as $200, but some Zen scroll paintings from that period that bear the artists name as well as the temple, and are in excellent condition, can be worth as much as a few thousand dollars.

Another popular type of antique Japanese art is porcelain. Early 20th century porcelain pieces are generally going to cost at least a few hundred dollars, provided they’re in good condition. Vases from the 19th century will generally cost at least that much, if not more. Japanese carvings like those on top of wooden treasure boxes can be worth thousands of dollars. Most likely, though, the exact year of manufacture isn’t known, and they’re more reasonably prices.

Japanese art is full of renderings of Buddha, so many antique pieces feature him in paintings, carvings, or stand-alone statues. These can be valuable, particularly if they’re carved of ivory or stone, and are more than 100 years old. Japanese decorative bronze work is a popular type of antique, too, as they often added detailed embellishments to things like bronze vases or chests.
Most Japanese artwork is easily recognized because of the brush strokes and the subject matter. Landscapes are popular, often featuring cherry blossoms and lots of trees. Wildlife is a popular subject in Japanese art, with cranes being a popular bird. And let’s not forget dragons. Dragons have an important place in Japanese mythology and culture, and are often depicted looking like serpents. Unlike the negative view much of the world holds against serpents, the Japanese thought serpents and dragons to be good luck, and very valuable.

When you’re shopping for antique Japanese art, if a piece you love is out of your price range, you can usually find reproductions of most anything for a more reasonable price. Nothing beats the authentic piece, though, so make sure that the seller is knowledgeable about the piece and Japanese art in general. Unfortunately with many pieces of art, especially paintings, the only way to determine if you’re getting a fair price is to have the item appraised. You might want a piece for its beauty, but be prepared to have it appraised eventually. Many sellers don’t even know the true value of the pieces they have up for auction, so look for similar items online and compare the prices.

Originally posted 2008-12-05 14:00:24. Republished by Blog Post Promoter