Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Time for a new collection spotlight...1920's Wedding Toppers

Its been a little while since the rhinestone clock collection post, so I thought today would be a nice time to share one of my sweeter collections with you. I started out just collecting any vintage wedding cake toppers that struck my fancy, however, with Ebay and all of the other online shopping possibilities out there, I could see that this could quickly become an overwhelmingly large collection. Not a problem if you only collect a couple of things...ahem, that would NOT be me though, so I had to reign myself in a bit. I decided that since my most favorite toppers seemed to be of the 1920-1930's era, I would limit myself to just those. I proceeded to sell the ones that didn't meet the criteria and then spread out my remaining little pretties so I could appreciate them fully. Then I put a couple of them under glass cloches which is a way I love to display all sorts of things. Not only does it put them in the spotlight, but it also keeps them from needing to be dusted!



I love the ones that still have their bases and flower arches, but I'm also partial to the little bisque "Kewpie" looking ones. Wedding toppers have become increasingly popular in the collecting circles and the prices have definitely gone up, up, up. Once in a while though, you can still find them at thrift stores or estate sales for a reasonable price. ($10 or less). One of the most striking toppers I've ever seen was offered on Ebay this last September. It featured a very well dressed 1920's couple and the bride's dress went up in the front as was the style back in the day. Even though many flapper brides wore that style of dress, the toppers depicting the dresses that way are very rare and this little treasure brought over $200, if memory serves. OUCH! Needless to say, that one is NOT in my collection, but boy I wish it were. Most of the more "normal" ones can be had well within the $20-50 range. Now these prices I'm spouting off are for the older, say pre-1940 toppers. If you like the toppers from the 1950's on forward, you can probably cut the above prices in half unless there is something particularly rare/unusual about it. I don't personally own any reference books on the subject, but I've just ordered a Schiffer collector book titled, "Vintage Wedding Cake Toppers" by Penny Henderson, so it should be interesting to see if she agrees with me! If you like reference books on collectibles, Schiffer has books on almost any item you can imagine. They are usually fairly well done and have lots of pictures on the subject of interest.




This little couple might just be my favorite. Look how cute they are hugging each other, cheek to cheek! The little girl reminds me of one of the little girls in my baby son's Kindergarten class. I hope you enjoyed this brief little visit into the sentimental and sweet.

Until next time,






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17 comments:

  1. now this is something to post about....i had a topper once in my shop....bought it for 3$ and sold it for, well, alot!!! it was made of plaster ...included were the plaster bridesmaid and groomsmen in pink taffeta.

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  2. Beautiful! I have one on my blog today too!

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  3. Oh Judy, they are so gorgeous and I agree that that last one is so utterly sweet, I love her veil!! Gosh won't people be hard pressed to start collecting wedding toppers from the 2000's...I doubt very many people have them at all any more, such a shame!!
    Thanks for sharing your collection,
    Kiss Noises Linda

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  4. My gosh, I had seen collections of these; however, none so extensive. Guess if its "out there" one of us will collect it, won't we?

    The only advice I can give you to about your son's Make a Wish collection is to just gather it up, sit down and DO IT. It wasn't until I didn't care if the time was right or if I had everything I needed or if I should be doing something else, that I finally go the book done! When you're finished, blog about it, I'd like to see.

    ♥Hugs♥ Mimi

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  5. BTW, I suppose you can "go" it done but I was thinking "got" it done, hehehe!

    ♥Mimi♥

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  6. Hi Judy,
    I found your blog through Deanna's at Timeless Things. I went back and read all of it. You are so creative and you have a beautiful family. Come by sometimes.
    Hugs,
    Lee Laurie

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  7. Hi Judy,
    Love your collection!. I have my Parents and Grandparents wedding cake toppers!. I will post them sometime for you to see. I enjoy how you write very much. I wish I was better with words on paper.
    My husband travels for work to Colorado frequently, he was just there a few weeks ago and said it had been snowing all day, and that it was absolutely beautiful.
    Have a wonderful day,
    Elizabeth

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  8. That is a wonderful collection!! I love your "favorite" couple too!! I will have to keep my eye out for them now!

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  9. I have my grandma's 1953 wedding topper under a glass dome in my bedroom. I love it :)

    Yours is an awesome collection!

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  10. Another beautiful post. I only have one topper that was from my Grandparent's 50th Anniversary, but your collection is a spark of inspiration to collect more. Pay me a visit if you would like to see how I used my topper to create a Vintage Valentine Vignette celebrating a wedding that occurred 107 years ago!

    "J" @ French-Kissed.com

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  11. lovely...these brides and grooms should never be seperated...but in real life it's another story...

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  12. How neat! I didn't look too closely, as I don't want to be tempted. LOL But it's a lovely collection!

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  13. Judy~ What a timeless collection. These beautiful toppers are so rare. We had a difficult time looking for a Bride and Groom for my son's wedding cake. Everyone we looked at,had such a commercial feel. We opted for something entirely different that was perfect for my son and daughter in-law.

    Come by.. I've posted my recipe for Napoleons.

    Sweet Wishes,
    Sara

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  14. I love your wedding toppers. I used my mother's top for my cake. It was from the 40's. It fell and broke several years ago and I still wish I could replace it. They look so pretty on the mantle. Happy Valentine's Day to you! I hope you have a wonderful day with the ones you love!

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