| The Lladro Company was established in 1953 by | | | | chances of being able to locate any particular |
| the three Lladro brothers. Initially it produced | | | | figurines that you wish to add to your collection. |
| functional, practical jugs and vases but it was not | | | | This is assuming that they are available. Some of |
| long before they were manufacturing the beautiful | | | | the pieces which were produced in greater |
| decorative pieces for which they are so well | | | | numbers can be found on various websites and it |
| known. As the years have gone on, they have | | | | is also possible to keep in touch with other |
| continually broadened their catalogue and in order | | | | collectors and exchange information on the |
| to move ahead with fashion and design have had | | | | whereabouts of buyers and sellers. If you are |
| to end production of some of their pieces. Some | | | | trying to source one of the more unusual pieces |
| of these Lladro retired pieces are now much | | | | then it may be a different story. You will, |
| sought after and have increased in value due their | | | | however, given some time and patience, probably |
| lack of availability. | | | | be able to track the piece that you are after and |
| Every year Lladro brings out new pieces and | | | | if you are willing to pay the price, add it to your |
| retires some previous figures. Some will be on the | | | | collection. |
| market for a few years and some, such as the | | | | The internet has made it so much easier to locate |
| pieces that were produced to celebrate the | | | | lost pieces but it has also lessened the chance of |
| millennium, will only be available for a year or so. | | | | you stumbling upon a valuable piece at a garage |
| As a company, Lladro retired pieces such as | | | | sale or flea market. It used to be possible to find |
| these after only a short production to ensure | | | | an occasional treasure at a local sale, often |
| their commemorative status. Some pieces such | | | | underpriced. Now, with communications so vastly |
| as these can easily reach $1500 or more. It is not | | | | improved due to the internet, people are much |
| only figurines that were available for a limited | | | | more aware of the value of items that have |
| length of time that hold a high value. There are | | | | come into their possession. It is easy to check |
| some pieces that, although available for sale for 6 | | | | the prices that pieces are being sold for and put |
| years or so, were limited in the number produced. | | | | goods up for auction on sites such as Ebay. This |
| These also reach four figure values, and some | | | | has become a valuable tool in the buying and |
| are in the region of $5,000. | | | | selling of Lladro retired pieces and, indeed, many |
| Sourcing Lladro retired pieces is not too tricky. | | | | other collectible items. |
| The advent of the internet has increased the | | | | |