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Spotlight On... Collectables Left: Fairy Wishes collectable figurines from Widdop Bingham. Below right: A Bulldog salt and pepper set, new for 2016 from Quail. Below right: Tardis and Jon Pertwee from Robert Harrop's Doctor Who collection.
take the whole collection in very appealing quantities," he points out. Sue Grant, marketing manager at Widdop Bingham, says that as the collectables market continues to evolve, it has seen some interesting developments along the way. "The type of collectable continues to diversify, attracting new collectors into the market with new offerings," she states. "Fairy and angel figurines, such as our Fairy Wishes, have opened up the collectable market to both lovers of angels but also to younger girls, while 1920’s figurines, such as Gatsby Girls, are regularly updated using new techniques, including fringing and fabric finishes." Adds Sue: "Old Tupton Ware teddies and Natural World animal figurines - particularly dolphins and penguins - highlight the continuing importance of the more traditional type of collectable." But although people are still collecting, it's no secret that the market is a very different one to the collectables market of yesteryear. "The market is pretty tough at the moment as many of the traditional high street gift shops specialising in collectables, ornaments, chinaware and glassware don't exist as they did in the heyday of the 1990's," reflects Dan Buckley, operations director at Robert Harrop. "Gifts have become extremely broad, and literally anything can become a 'gift', from kitchen utensils to living-room interiors. Collectables have consequently become very niche and we have therefore had to diversify from the traditional market places and methods of selling. Much of the trade is now carried out online or by attending smaller specialised events."
However, Dan says that that is not to say that there is no strength in the market. "You just have to look at little harder, have the foresight to move along with the times and be a little more creative in your releases," he suggests. "Nostalgia is still the core strength of our portfolio and it is what we are good at. Moving into 2016, we will be continuing to build on our flagship Doggie People collection which is now in its 30th year, along with additions to our popular Aardman and Supermarionation ranges and our new Doctor Who collection which was launched to great success earlier in the year." Clearly collectables may have changed, but while people still want to collect, companies are finding different routes to market.
What People Are Collecting ● "I like to collect things in threes," says Sarah Ward, chief executive of The Giftware Association. "For example, I collect certain elephants in threes because they are good luck. I also collect very pretty silver bits and Edwardian balloon clocks. Every room in my house has a clock in it and I have had many of them reconditioned. I also collect shoes which I display on a wall in my bedroom." Above: The GA's Sarah Ward owns a collection of Edwardian balloon clocks like the one above. Left: The 50th anniversary edition of Dodo Pad.
● Dodo Pads have been
collected since Lord Dodo (aka John Verney) published the first diary-cumorganiser in 1966. Avid collectors are always proud to show off their collections, many of which were revealed at Dodo Pad's 50th anniversary party last June. ● Subbuteo is still the Beautiful Game according to collectables’ expert David Jinks of ParcelHero, who predicts that Subbuteo prices will soon be going up a division. He says that old Subbuteo sets are likely to become a major goal for collectors, with vintage Subbuteo figures set to gain in value. "Collectors are beginning to pay Premiership prices to recreate the excitement of yesteryear," he states. Below: A 1951 original Subbuteo box set.
● Since 2000, Lego kits have gone up in value by an average 12%. They are now highly collectable, with the Ultimate Collector's Millennium Falcon set which sold for £342.49 eight years ago, now winning bids of up to £2,712 on eBay!
All In The Best Possible (Bad) Taste At Nemesis Now, director Andrew Norman-Smith believes that, in 2016, collectables are going to be more popular than ever. "That’s why we are adding new lines with our latest product launch Bad Taste Bears," he explains. "Working in collaboration with renowned artist Pete Underhill, we are proud to present a first new collection of Bad Taste Bears. The new range features new designs, with each product in the range - which includes wine bottle holders, tankards and toilet roll holders - having a functional purpose around the home." Andrew says that The Bad Taste Bears, which first exploded onto the giftware market at Spring Fair in 1999, have grown in popularity and collectability. "Their loyal fan base and new found followers alike eagerly wait to be disgusted once more now the Bad Taste Bears are back,” he comments. Left: Bad Taste Bears are a new launch from Nemesis Now.
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