| A collectible figurine is more than a beautiful work | | | | request. |
| of art. It's also an investment and you want to be | | | | Something else to be aware of is the issue of |
| sure that you have not purchased a fake or | | | | "seconds". Seconds are figurines or collectibles |
| forgery. Luckily with the proper knowledge there | | | | which the manufacturer considered to be inferior |
| are ways for the average collector to do this. | | | | for some reason, many times unnoticeable to the |
| Any figurine of any worth will have a company | | | | average collector. Seconds are marked by |
| trademark, mark or backstamp on the underside | | | | marring the backstamp or logo in some fashion. |
| of the base. Some figurines such as those made | | | | For example Royal Copenhagen scores their logo |
| by Royal Copenhagen have had the same | | | | with a sharp object. Lladro will scrape off their |
| marking for many years. Others such as M.I. | | | | famous bell logo leaving just their trademark |
| Hummel and Lladro have had an array of marks | | | | name. From an investment standpoint this is an |
| which were changed every few years. | | | | important thing to watch for. |
| Now one slight complication with a Lladro figurine | | | | On a side note one strength of the changing |
| is that some of the first ones made were | | | | markings over time is they provide an excellent |
| unmarked, however these are extremely rare so | | | | means of finding out the approximate age of the |
| it's unlikely you'll find one. Most likely if you | | | | figurine. This can also be important as an earlier |
| encounter an unmarked Lladro it's a fake or | | | | version of a figurine can be much more valuable. |
| forgery. | | | | This has always been true of Hummel figurines |
| When making a purchase in an antique store it's | | | | particularly. |
| an easy matter to make a visual inspection of the | | | | On our website noted below we have full articles |
| marking but what do you do if you're buying | | | | with detailed photos to assist you in authenticating |
| online such as on eBay for example? If the seller | | | | and also dating your Lladro and Hummel figurines. |
| has not provided a photo of the trademark or | | | | We truly hope these tips prove useful in ensuring |
| backstamp request that they do so. A reputable | | | | that you have invested in an authentic figurine. |
| seller will be happy to comply with this simple | | | | |