Rare Antique Dog Collectibles

Rare Indeed!

If you are reading this, you most likely believe that antiques have a greater chance of holding their value than do similar current, machine made items.

Whether we collect a specific breed (French Bulldogs), or a maker (Rosenthal), we admit that many of the collectible dog figurines that we choose, we choose for their beauty, or love for their vintage quality, or perhaps for their antique provenance.

Don’t Forget To Check Your Radar

The acronym “RADAR” is often used to define those most highly collectible antique and vintage finds.

“R” = Rarity
“A” = Aesthetics
“D” = Desirability
“A” = Authenticity
“R” = Really Great Condition

Keep in mind that not every antique or vintage item has to satisfy each of these descriptors to be considered a worthy purchase. Condition is the one that is often stretched to include those pieces that might have some acceptable age-related wear. In some decorating circles, “shabby chic” is a plus.

Of each of these descriptors, RARITY seems to be the one that is most difficult to define. This term seems to have more than a single qualifier. When something is considered “rare”, we can safely agree that it could be considered so because not many were ever made. It could also mean that few of the originals are still in existence.

Perhaps it is considered “rare” because it is done in an unusual color. Likewise, it could be considered “rare” because of its’ unusual size.

Some items are also considered “rare” because it would be so difficult to reproduce them, that they just are not getting reproduced at this time.

Antique Dogs

So, you can either find an old one, or not own any at all. If you look at the French Bulldogs pictured above, they would be considered “Rare” for these reasons:

Not many were made in solid white.
Few of those that were made are currently available.
They have an unusual provenance that brings them from their original
Heubach molds to ERPHILA importers, to then a small shop with a red
crown mark.

Combine this with the grades you would give them for “Aesthetics”, “Desirability”, “Authenticity”, and “Really Great Condition”, and you might find yourself looking at a great find.