The Art of Collecting Head Vases
Continued from pg. 7
a wide selection for head vase fans to collect. Jeannie,” can sell into the thousands when of-
It's been estimated that there are at least 10,000 fered in excellent to mint condition. Popular Marks on Head Vases
different varieties available to keep them enter-
tained. Some of these go beyond the average Vases featuring teenage faces aren't quite as Most of these shapely vessels were produced
to depict high profile celebrities. plentiful as the adult versions, so some seekers in Japan and many have marks stamped on
will pay more for those as well. It's not uncom- the bottom. Some names collectors look for are
Marilyn Monroe, Lucille Ball and Jackie O. all mon for these fresh-faced vases to sell in the Napco or Napcoware, the mark used by Nation-
had head vases modeled after their likeness. $75-100 range with certain desirables reaching
Continued on pg. 15
These can be some of the most valuable and even higher levels.
highly sought by today's head hunters.
These prices compare starkly to what the con-
Jacksboro, TX
A Minnesota auction featured in Kovels' news- tainers cost 40-60 years ago. Much like the
letter in the early 2000s offered an extensive plentiful green glass florist's vases that turn up
collection of head vases for sale. A vase bear- at garage sales these days, lady head vases
ing Monroe's features sold for $605 in that sale, were purchased by professional floral design-
while a Lucille Ball head dressed as Mame ers in bulk and tapped for every day use in days
brought $495. Jackie O. vases can be pur- gone by.
chased on eBay fairly often in the $150-300
range depending on condition.
However, most non-celebrity vases sell for far
less in many parts of the country. At just about
Abilene, TX
any antique show you'll find a few priced be-
tween $40-200. These range from mini vases
measuring in the 2” range to grand examples
as tall as 14” or so. The larger vases usually get
Meridian, TX
a higher ticket price. And some rare examples,
like one dubbed by collectors as “I Dream of
Clifton, TX
Elgin, TX Stephenville, TX
January 2010 - 9
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