Lladro Reference Guide

Lladro Reference Guide
Lladro has been producing porcelain figures for over fifty years - the conception of three Spanish brothers, Juan, Jose and Vicente Lladro during the mid-1950S. All three brothers were interested in pursuing an artistic career, particularly in sculpture. They'd grown up in humble surroundings on their parents' farm in Almacera, Spain during the hard post-war years and hoped to improve their future prospects.  For several years, the three managed to utilise their spare time and experiment with sculpting techniques.












Lladro Reference Guide
This eventually led to them opening a small workshop where they produced traditional porcelain.
However, the brothers soon realised that their talents weren't being stretched and decided to produce a modern, innovative range of designs. They opened their first factory in Tavernes Blanques in 1958.
Over the ensuing years, Lladro porcelains became popular throughout the world. In the first decade alone, the factory had to be enlarged seven times as the company became more successful. 1969 saw the foundation stone laid for the 'City of Porcelain' which has remained the home of Lladro ever since and is now visited by many of the tens of thousands of Lladro collectors who come to watch and learn how their collections are created.


The appeal of Lladro is universal - it has few rivals with such cross- cultural appeal. Undoubtedly this is due in part to the varied styles that are produced, The beauty of Lladro is that it can be placed anywhere within the house and not look out of place - whether it is the kitchen, the cloakroom or the lounge. There is always a figurine that will fill that special place or occasion".


Lladro Reference Guide



Another factor in Lladro's popularity is that it creates pieces that appeal to particular denominations or nationalities, so providing an added interest for collectors around the world. In 1978, Lladro produced Saint Francis, the patron Saint of Italy. It would not have been aimed at the British collector but adorns many Italian homes where it holds a special meaning. Lladro has so far produced well over 5,000 pieces in total, both imaginary and 'real', with mass-produced open editions and many special limited pieces.










Lladro Reference Guide


Huge increases in value have been realised on many  items, Many limited editions are sold out within a few months of their issue and special pieces, such as the Society pieces, have gained in value tremendously. For example, 'Little Pals' from 1985 and 'School Days' from 1988 are commanding over ten times their original price. Already, last year's Society piece, 'Heaven and Earth', is fetching £700 compared to the £450 retail price ". Some collectors favour the Society pieces and concentrate their collections around them, but others chase different types  clowns, ballerinas, dogs and nuns are all in great demand.







Lladro Reference Guide



Apart from the obvious subject matter, there is also the type of finish to a Lladro figure that appeals: "The British collector on the whole seems  to favour the traditional Lladro figurines, with the muted colours and high-glazed finish, but the 'Gref', which is the full colour production, is picking up in popularity in this country". There is also 'Goyescas'.





This finish has a roughness and the pieces in goyescas are always full colour, not muted colour. Some Lladro pieces are produced with a matt finish, such as 'Venus and Cupid'. The matt pieces are not generally as popular as the other finishes as they are harder to look  after - any grease from the hand will mark the piece. But, of course, there are some people who collect these specifically and retired or limited editions are still highly valued by collectors.

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Motorcycle Memorabilia and Collectibles

Motorcycle Memorabilia and Collectibles
The motorcycle collector's market is a world apart from the high prices and hysteria which surround automobilia.





 There is just as much biker detritus left in the wake of a Formula One motorcycle race as in any four-wheeled Grand Prix but it doesn't seem to engender quite the same loyal following. Naturally, motorcycle races lack the same high profile yet the thousands of TT enthusiasts who travel to the Isle of Man each year prove that there is the potential for a strong collectors' market.





 It's impossible to put an exact value on many motorcycle items. Old manuals and magazines, they have a kind of accepted price. So the first issue of'Classic Bike' magazine is worth around £25;$40 otherwise it's what someone's prepared to pay for it."




Motorcycle Memorabilia and Collectibles
Workshop manuals, original sales brochures and histories of individual marques are all very salable, ranging from £10-15 for a modern book  up to £30-50 $50-70 for a rare brochure. Even quite young accessories can be valuable. The motorcycle version of the 1960s' AA badge sells for around £30 $45 while the more common car equivalent would only rate at £5-10 $10 15

Like any collecting field, a few top names grab the lion's share of attention. Harley-Davidson is the one make that stands head and shoulders above the rest. Founded in Milwaukee in 1903 by William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson,


Harley-Davidson has become an American legend. According to Charles E. Deane and Brian Crichton, authors of 'A History of Motorcycling': "





Harleys have remained unique and that is one reason why the Japanese motorcycle invasion of the United States in the 1960s, although damaging to the company, could not destroy the special corner of the market the Harley had.




Motorcycle Memorabilia and Collectibles

The engineering behind the bikes parallels the huge gas-guzzling cars produced in Detroit. Harleys use engines so large they would be adequate for a medium-sized saloon car but these bikes are not geared for high speed; the 55mph speed limit in the USA makes that virtually impossible. Instead, they're intended for ciwsing the vast open spaces of North America in comfort.



Harley-Davidson, as the only US bike manufacturer to survive the 1930s, has a very special place in the hearts of enthusiasts and its iconic status has been exploited to the full by the company. Every conceivable spin-off product is available to the Harley owner - even Harley-Davidson aftershave and beer .






But it's not just Harley-Davidson which has jumped on the collectibles  bandwagon. Licensed products have poured forth, like the Franklin Mint Harley fob watch selling for around £75. $100
 Franklin mint collectors knife, £29.95; $50 Easy Rider video, £10-15; $20 25 and Harley toiletries, £2-3 $5 8 each.The high price of Harleys, both new and vintage, also puts owning one firmly into the middle-class bracket. The high income bracket of the average Harley owner makes them ideal potential collectors.


Motorcycle Memorabilia and Collectibles




Among the American competition, the only name that comes close is that of Indian. In its early days, this was a very innovative company; it became the first to introduce a two-speed counter-shaft transmission incorporating a clutch which won Indian the first three places in the 1911 TT.








Although Indian memorabilia can't compete with Harley-Davidson's vast reservoir of owners, the much shorter life of the company makes Indian memorabilia far rarer. An early Indian racing crash helmet £200- $300











In Britain,  there  motorcycling heritage is second to none. For an all-too-short period after the Second World War, the British bike reigned supreme. Models like the 1948 Vincent Black Shadow set a new benchmark in performance as one of the first 'super bikes': "Vincent memorabilia is very collectible because they were such high quality motorcycles.



















Motorcycle Memorabilia and Collectibles

BSA, Triumph and Norton rank as the best British makes and anything - from parts to tank badges - are collectible.






Like the American bike industry before it, British bike producers were dealt a mortal blow by the introduction of a cheap, affordable small motor car that could compete with even the mid-range motorcycles, both in terms of price and running costs The Mini did to British motorcycle companies what the Model T had done to their American cousins.


Motorcycle Memorabilia and Collectibles

The final death throes were the recession of 1979-81 when the last few bike producers in England went under. But, as with so many British firms, ultimate commercial failure makes their associated memorabilia all the more collectible .



Each country likes collecting its own; the Americans have Harley-Davidson and Indian; we have Triumph, Norton, and a dozen others.



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GUIDE TO COLLECTING TROLLS

 GUIDE TO COLLECTING TROLLS
The true history of trolls goes back many centuries with early Scandinavian legends featuring countless numbers of them. Children are fascinated by such stories as 'The Three Billy Goats Gruff' and most youngsters acknowledge the possibility of a troll lurking beneath that bridge.
 
Yet although trolls have, for all intents and purposes, been with us for many centuries, very little
is known about early trolls.


Most of us associate trolls with the craze that took over in the 1960s when Dam first introduced vinyl trolls. The look of the modern day troll is also synonymous with that of the Dam trolls.


At first, the Dam trolls were hand-carved creations made by Thomas Dam in the late 1950s. These originals later went on to form the moulds for the vinyl versions which appeared during the 'Sixties. Most young girls of the time were besotted with their little outfits and brightly- coloured flowing hair that made them great to pamper and brush!


 GUIDE TO COLLECTING TROLLS





The Dam trolls were an overnight success and many other companies were licensed to produce trolls using the Dam moulds. One of the other prominent firms of the time that was producing from the Dam moulds was Uneeda which made the Wishnik line of trolls. These early trolls fetch high prices among collectors today, some even reaching several hundred pounds.


The early animal trolls that these companies produced are even harder to come across and so have gained in value. Some of the animal trolls produced included elephants, giraffes, cows, seals and turtles, with perhaps the most difficult animal to track down being the alligator and the most common animal produced during this era the horse.




 But as with any collectible, high prices will not be realized unless the item is in good condition and also with trolls it is important that they come complete with
 GUIDE TO COLLECTING TROLLS
their all-important clothing - a nude troll is not nearly as appealing as a clothed version!


Apart from Dam and Uneeda, many other companies created trolls and this can make identification quite difficult for collectors. For example, some trolls were never marked, or only marked with 'Made in Hong Kong' for example. Some of the other names to look out for are Skandia House trolls, Bijou Toy Inc., Diener, Knickerbocker and there were wooden trolls made by a company called Henning. Some trolls, such as those made by Reisler and Horseman, didn't look anything like the Dam trolls. 




The list of manufacturers is long as they all jumped on the troll bandwagon. A little later, Russ began to produce trolls and they created some very good examples which have also become highly sought after.
 GUIDE TO COLLECTING TROLLS




Some collectors stipulate that they will only collect Dam, others collect all and every troll they can find. 



Not all trolls that you come across will have rigid bodies. Some have vinyl heads and stuffed bodies. And some of the early trolls have rabbit fur hair. There have also been trolls produced as promotional items which become collectable. Burger King gave away sets of trolls in 1993 which today would be worth around a couple of pounds each. Weetos has also run several troll promotions with its packs of cereal. One such set was called the 'Band of Musicians' which had the added appeal of Professor Weeto sporting troll hair!    







 GUIDE TO COLLECTING TROLLS
   To see just how collectible trolls have become, you need only look on the Internet. Ebay, at any given time, usually has in excess of 200 entries for trolls. One collector was offering his collection of over 1,000 Dam trolls for a staggering price of $25,000! But although the early trolls now fetch good money, troll collecting can still be a very affordable hobby for both young and old. Collectors should also be aware that there was - and still is - associated troll memorabilia such as troll earrings, jewellery, notebooks and folders and salt and pepper shakers to name but a few.



Yet not all troll collectors like the vinyl Ny trolls. A growing band of collectors favours the Ny Form resin trolls. Ny Form is a Norwegian company whose trolls are very distinctive with long crooked noses and only four fingers.




 Love or hate them, where can you find such an original gift?"


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collecting vintage audio equipment

collecting vintage audio equipment
For collectors, hi-fi very often means lo-tech and two or more parts of equipment where one would do. Most of us might be perfectly content with 'integrated' amplifiers - not so audiophiles who go for separate power- and pre-amps, even transformers.


Collectors love the lyrically warm-sounding valve amps from the 1950s and '60s compared with the punch to the ear of high power transistor (aka 'solid state') amps sold to an undiscerning public during the 'Seventies and 'Eighties. The former valve amps suited crooners like Donald Pears or
Frank Sinatra while hard rock required hard-edged aural delivery, furnished by solid state circuitry. Of the valve amps available, Peter recommends the Rogers Cadet, Leak TL12 or TL10, Quad 22 and Quad 44.


Today's casual buyer goes for media meltdown when buying a hi-fi. It's all about options - vinyl (rarely), audio cassette (an early convenience tool, now much maligned for its poor sonic reproduction ability), CD and mini- disc. The audio buff, by contrast, sets out a very neat shopping list. What raises the collector's pulse - and price - is quirky design and landmark innovation.
There is a strategy of sorts for collecting vintage hi-fi systems. The first step is completing a line-up. For example, a late 1960s' Ocean Boy 820 radio might come with its original Grundig sales literature, showing numerous other radios in the range. Many audiophiles would collect the entire range and display the framed blurb alongside the equipment.



collecting vintage audio equipment
Compatability is a must. The perfect partner for a Quad 33 pre-amp is a Quad 303 power amp while 'Eighties connoisseurs would combine a NAD 3020 amp with Dual deck and a pair of Mission 700 speakers. Back issues of enthusiast magazines from your chosen period will show the way.
Three years after the audio or compact cassette was invented in 1963, the Americans produced the eight-track cartridge and player, mainly as an in- car audio gadget, though you can find home players. These dashboard players (and cartridges) are highly sought after by collectors of classic cars - especially American metal - and can often be picked up cheaply at car boot sales. 



 Collectors often refer to iconic separates which cover any solo hi-fi item, such as an amp, tuner, receiver or turntable. The difference is that each will have been a triumph of classic (or kitsch) design or one which moved hi-fi on by a technical quantum leap.




collecting vintage audio equipment

Before discovering quality hi-fi sound, many readers will have been seduced by the unique 'Seventies hi-fi look of the Bank & Olufsen 3500 series. This receiver came with 19 click switches and unergonomic sliding controls. The B & 0 reeks of the Scandinavian design ethos of its period. It feels solid as a rock - largely because the Danes used the old washing machine technique of weighting the cast.


High on the list of the audiophile's shopping list for icons, however, would be the Garrard 301 turntable, dating from 1953. The 301 was Garrard's first tilt at a deck that could handle all three disc speeds: 78,45 and 33.3 revolutions per minute. Quickly seen as a reference quality piece of kit when launched, the 301 (and to a lesser degree, the 401 model that followed), is regarded now as a triumph of classic design.



collecting vintage audio equipment








The earliest 302 came in battleship grey enamel and enjoyed a unique agricultural feature that collectors find exquisitely endearing. The motor bearing came with a built-in grease cup which had a simple screw mechanism to distribute the contents - manually - round the motor as required. In 1957, Garrard changed the colour (always a bad sign) to a pinkish shade of ivory and, later that year, the grease had been replaced by oil. Other cost-cutting engineering ploys soon followed which is why today's collectors want, above all, the grey and greasy earliest 301s.





In addition, the 301 motors were big. They had to be powerful in order to carry great heavy pick-ups, trailing mainly on chunky 78 rpm records. Yet the 301 was often mounted on nothing more than plywood. What created the unwanted noise and movement was the flimsiness of the contemporary plinth: "A solid, heavy plinth cures 99% of all unwanted motor noise" writes hi-fi expert, Haden Boardman. In other words, the Garrard 301 was even better than anyone realised back in the 'Fifties!



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2015/16 COLLECTOR'S PRICE GUIDE TO HARMONY KINGDOM PART 2

HARMONY KINGDOM



 PART   2

A= Angelique series HOLL= Holiday numbered SP= Special commissions
CLUB=Royal Watch Collectors' limited editions and exclusives
Club exclusives LBHG= Lord Byron's Harmony STJ = Small Treasure Jest
DIS= Disney Theme Park Garden TEF= The Elusive Few - the
exlusive LTD= Limited Edition rarest pieces
ELTJ= Extra Large Treasure Jest LT) = Large Treasure Jest TGP= The Garden Party
EVENT=Special Event pieces MTJ = Mini Treasure Jest Vi= Version 1
HC= Harmony Circus PDX= Paradoxicals V2= Version 2
HIJ=Hi-Jinx series RA= Romance Annual
HOL= Holiday time limited RLTJ= Rather Large Treasure   Jest
edition

Name                Type                       Production                  £  price           $  price
Den Mothers      STJ                   Jan '95-Dec '96            £150             $250
6,264 released
Disorderly Eating SP                    July '99                            £125             $200
Limited edition of 1,000
exclusively for Collect it!
Dog Days           STJ            Sep '94                            £24.95            $35
Double Pink Rose    LTD/LBHG   Jun '98                             £80                 $125
Limited ed of 5,000
Double Red Rose    LTD/LBHG    Jan '98                              £65                $100
Limited ed of 5,000
Double Silver Rose         LTD/LBHG '99                              £325                 $500
Double Violet Rose     LTD/LBHG    Jun '98                         £80                $125
Limited ed of 5,000
Double Yellow Rose   LTD/LBHG   Jun '98                          £65             $100
Limited ed of 5,000
Down Under                     STJ        Jun '97-'99                  £30          $45
Drake's Fancy                    LTJ     Oct '90-'99                    £30                $45
Driver's Seat                      STJ          Jun '97                     £29.50        $45
Due De Lyon                 TGP                 Jan '97-Oct '99          £30              $45
Earl Of Oswald           TGP         Jan '97-Oct '99              £30                $45
Easter Bouquet          HOLL          '99                               £75              $120
Ed's Safari                   STJ          Mar '95                       £24.95           $35
Ed's Safari II                  STJ                 Jun '98                      £29.50        $40
Ed's Safari III           STJ                 Jan '00                       £29.50        $40
Edison '98             EVENT         Apr'98                        £80                  $130
Angel pendant

1,064 produced Pendant for Royal Watch Members attending the International Collectible Exposition in Edison, New Jersey
                                     EVENT               Apr'98                         £250           $400
428 produced
Given to those who attended the Memories Dinner at the International Collectible Exposition in Edison, New Jersey

                                          USttG. teti'tvQ                                     £29.50               $45
Edison '98 Lovebird Pin
Fab Five                                 DIS           Dec '97                        £50                           $75
 2nd box in the Disney series
Family Reunion               LTD             Jun '98                      £75                             $120
 Limited ed of 7,200 Zookeepers
Family Tree                   STJ Nov '94-Apr '00                    £24.95                         $38
13,533 produced
Faux                                 Paw ST)           Jun'97-Oct'99                £30                              $45
Fishy Business              SP             May '00                      £44-95                     $75                Limited ed of 1,500 Collect it! exclusive      
Fleur-de-lis                            A         Jun'96-Apr'98              £24.95                         $38                    7,888 produced
Forget Me N                            LBHG         Jan '98-Apr '00          £29.50                     $4 5               12,821 produced
Faulty Winks                    STJ Mist         '92-Dec'96                    £250                   $400                  5,385 released
Foul Play                           STJ                Jan '99                      £29.50                    $45
Francis MTJ Jan 'oo-Feb '00 £125 $200 1,500 produced Well, actually not a box at all, A mistake was made which meant this Was created as a netsuke not a box. Very sought after. Box was renamed Trunk Call
Name                                       Type         Production             £ price     $  price
Friends In High Places              ST)           Jan '97                     £29.50 $40
Fur Ball                                          STJ          Apr'95                     £24.95 $35
Fuss Pot                                        STJ          Jan '00                     £29.50 $40
Garden Prince                            TGP           Jan '96-
Garden Prince LTD Silver Pendant        '99                              £45          $75                       Limited ed of 5,000
Gardenia                                       LBHG Jan '98-Oct '99                   £45 $75
Gentil Homme                             A kun '      96-Apr '98 6,786 produced £24.95 $38
Gill                                          LBHG          Jan '99                         £29.50             $40
Gobblefest                        EVENT          Oct '99Nov '99 13,500 ltd ed  £45  $75
Grapes of Israel              LBHG                   Apr '00                            £29.50          $45
Group Therapy           ST) Nov '94-Dec '96 3,170 produced   £125      $200
Halloween Bouquet         LTD Sep '99 £45 Limited edition of 5,000               $75
Hammin' It Up          ST) Sep '93-Dec '96 13,217                          £95        $150
Harmony Bull                    SP                £29.50 NALED/Parkwest exclusive $45
Harmony Circus LTD/HC Matched Numbered Set 1,000 issued. £575 Set incs all 19 pieces in the HC. Each is hand numbered. $900
Have A Heart LTD Jan '98 £290
Issue size 3,600
The first Black Box release $450
Hog Heaven                              ST)          Jun '96-              £24.95 $35
Hold That Line                          HI)        Aug '94"'98          £95         $150
Holding Court LT) Apr'95- £45-95 $70 Originally a shop display stand The first 334 had no frontal plaque after which Harmony Kingdom was added
Holy Roller                                 HOL 1999               £40 1999 Christmas piece $50
Home Sweet Home LTD Apr '00 £187.50 Limited ed of 3,600 $300
Hops LBHG Jan '99- £29.50 $45
Horn A Plenty LT) Oct '91-Dec '97 £40 $65 Some of the earliest pieces have 'SAC' under the top of the rhino's jaw. 6,910 produced
Horse Play                            STJ Jan '95-Jun '96 1,907 released              £190 $300
Hot Pepper                         LBHG        Jan '99-                                £29.50 $45
Hyacinth                            LBHG            Jan '97-Oct '99                           £45 $75
Hydrangea                    LBHG              Jan '97-Oct '99                       £45           $75
In Fine Feather                  ST)                    Jan '97                             £29.50 $45
Ingenue                                    A Jun '96-Apr '98 8,062 produced         £24.95 $38
Inside )oke                  ST) Sep '94-Apr '00 17,628 produced                  £24.95 $38
Iris                                  LBHG             Jan '98                              £29.50 $45
It's A Fine Day                ST)                 Dec '93-Jun '96 4,916 released £250 $400
Ivory Tower                     LTD Jun '98                 £75 Limited ed of 7,200 $120



This price guide has been compiled from a variety of sources, including several dealers' price lists and results of auctions on ebay. You will no doubt find pieces which are cheaper or more expensive than stated,      


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