A collectible figure is more than just a beautiful piece of art. It is also an investment and you want to be sure that you have not bought a counterfeit or a counterfeit. Fortunately, with the right knowledge, there are ways the average collector can do this.
Any figure of any value will have a trademark, mark or seal on the back at the bottom of the base. Some figures like those of Royal Copenhagen have been with the same brand for many years. Others, like MI Hummel and Lladro, have had a number of brands that are changed every few years.
Now a little complication with a Lladró figure is that some of the first ones that were made were unmarked, however they are extremely rare so it is unlikely that you will find one. Chances are, if you come across an unmarked Lladró, it’s either a fake or a fake.
When making a purchase from an antique store, it’s easy to visually inspect the markings, but what should you do if you’re shopping online, like on eBay for example? If the seller has not provided a photo of the trademark or seal on the back, please request it. A trusted seller will be happy to fulfill this simple request.
Another thing to keep in mind is the question of “seconds”. The latter are figurines or collectibles that the manufacturer considered inferior for some reason, often imperceptible to the average collector. The seconds are marked by marking the back or the logo in some way. For example, Royal Copenhagen marks its logo with a sharp object. Lladró will scratch off its famous bell logo leaving only its trade name. From an investment point of view, this is an important thing to keep in mind.
On a side note, one of the strengths of changing marks over time is that they provide an excellent means of finding out the approximate age of the figure. This can also be important, as an older version of a figure can be much more valuable. This has always been especially true of the Hummel figurines.
On our website listed below, we have full articles with detailed photos to help you authenticate and also date your Lladró and Hummel figures.
We really hope these tips are helpful to you in ensuring that you have invested in an authentic figure.
