How old is this Steinbach MADE IN GERMANY Doll?

[azzaro]

I can find a lotta info on Nutcracker type dolls by Steinbach but none on this 8 inch by 3 inch by 4 inch large wood character. Anybody know?. It looks 50s to me. I just bought it for $25 for it at a garage sale. The Steinbach tag came off the bottom, so I took a picture separately. I think it might be worth at least a couple of hundred bucks. Anybody agree?.

[ironlord1963]

     Not sure about a couple Hundred Bucks.   A quick ebay search show, that over the Past 30 days 400 of them has been listed, Less then 10% sold, Mostly for just under $50.00, The few that did sell was really unique one Two of which was Santa ones.   They all seem to be a bit different and with that many of them out there compitition is high.   Also the market for Nutcrackers don't really seem to be what it was like 30 years ago.

[azzaro]

Hiya Ironlord. This figure is quite unique. It is much larger (twice the size) than the nutcracker figures usually made by Steinbach. This must have been made special order or something. This guy is a logger (wood-collector) with a pipe in his mouth and a mushroom in his right hand. He is also carrying wood and an axe with a bouquet of flowers on his back.

[waywardangler]

The nutcracker figures or this style of "art" from Germany has never caught my eye. They just seem so blocky to me. $25 at a garage sale?? What part of the country are you in azzaro? It seems like the prices you are paying at sales are sky high compared to the sales I go to. I am in Wisconsin.

[azzaro]

I am in Ottawa, Canada. Our dollar is about the same value as yours. Some garage sales are good, some are rip-offs, as I am finding out. I am new to the antique collecting hobby:).

[mariok54]

Some garage sales are good, some are rip-offs, as I am finding out. I am new to the antique collecting hobby:).

Experience is a cruel teacher, the Test always comes before the Lesson!

[KC]

azzaro, we have all found out the hard way the value on many things.  Rule of thumb....buy it if you really like it!  Only buy it if you think you can turn it for more money when YOU KNOW what it is and the value already!

[talesofthesevenseas]

And never let anything discourage you! We all make good buys and not-so-good ones, but it is all part of learning about new areas of collecting and developing an eye for age.

[mart]

And learn to "negotiate" prices !! They usually expect it and have prices marked up to cover it !!