The "Incredible prices" topic

Kikimalou wrote:

...of course and I understand some of us are in love with flocked Wagner critters but they are really out of my realm.

Yes, they are quite cute, but I don't collect them either.
But, with your posting you have launched a very interesting topic.

75senta75 wrote:

You can find very interesting information about the flocked animals by company Fritz Wagner
and its "Künstlerschutz animals on this dollhouse collector's homepage.

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Here is a summary of the text in English. My English isn't that good, so the AI helped me a lot....

In 1973, the production lineup of Fritz Wagner KG included approximately 200 animal models crafted by Animal Miniatures
and Artistic Workshops in Rödental-Coburg Germany. These were showcased at the 9th Salon Souvenir and Gift in Wiesbaden,
offering a comprehensive view of the collection to customers worldwide.

The animal models were sculpted by Fritz Wagner, an academic sculptor and the company's founder.
About 50 employees handcrafted zoo, forest, and domestic animals, along with exotics and dogs.
These animals ranged in size from three to 25 centimeters and were made from an unbreakable
hard-cast material coated with plastic. The painting was done by hand.

Since 1956, approximately 1,600 dozen animals were produced per week, as mentioned by the
Wechselberger couple, the company owners, in a conversation with the editorial team of DAS SPIELZEUG.
About 70 percent of the total production from Rödental was sold for export, particularly to the USA, Australia,
South Africa, and European Community countries.

Main buyers included national and wildlife parks, zoological gardens, souvenir shops, and toy stores.
At that time, there was a high demand for squirrel models in six different sizes, dogs and cats in baskets,
and the standard animal collection.

The sale of these animal models in the United States experienced a significant surge after
President Richard Nixon received a rare panda couple as a gift during his trip to China.

Source: Das Spielzeug, November 1973, p. 1685 and [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

More interesting information about Fritz Wagner - Künstlerschutz animals and the label you can find here in English:
in English you can find here:

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Some price examples in Germany:

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Yvette thank you very much for all this information and these links!! I shall take my time savouring all of this:)

Kleinwelka elephant was sold 705€
Ten years ago I had the opportunity to buy the complete series of 6 animals for 70€ and I passed it up.
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That is a laconic example. We could list simpler examples of missed opportunities, but when we are collectors and not sellers, what drives us is acquiring the figure we like, not the one we perceive as a future business opportunity. I believe many of us were aware that the Papo albino gorilla would increase value shortly, nobody thought it would be a figure that would stay in the catalog for a long time. However, many of us, myself included, just because we didn't desire it in our collection, ended up not buying it. I know the gorilla has never achieved this amount, I'm just examplifying something we could find easily in local shops.

And yet it has sold for this price...
What animals does the collection consist of?

Stripedhyena wrote:

And yet it has sold for this price...
What animals does the collection consist of?

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Roger wrote:

That is a laconic example. We could list simpler examples of missed opportunities, but when we are collectors and not sellers, what drives us is acquiring the figure we like, not the one we perceive as a future business opportunity. I believe many of us were aware that the Papo albino gorilla would increase value shortly, nobody thought it would be a figure that would stay in the catalog for a long time. However, many of us, myself included, just because we didn't desire it in our collection, ended up not buying it. I know the gorilla has never achieved this amount, I'm just examplifying something we could find easily in local shops.

Well, actually I wanted these models, not for business but for collecting but I was a bit broken at the time they were sold

I realized that, Christophe. I was just presenting two contrasting perspectives. Moreover, there's nothing wrong with buying a figure as a future investment. I even say that the most efficient method of collecting is to create a balance between the two worlds. Leveraging our experience to make some sales in order to minimize our expenses with the hobby so that it doesn't restrict us from other more essential expenses, and also to have the ability to acquire what we truly want for our collection. I always want to do it but it requires a mindset that I'm still looking for.

The same for me

Kikimalou wrote:

Kleinwelka elephant was sold 705€
Ten years ago I had the opportunity to buy the complete series of 6 animals for 70€ and I passed it up.
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Figures by a "brand" not far away. I am happy that there is no special specie included.