Value of Goebel Dolls

greenspun.com : LUSENET : The Exchange: A Forum for Antiques and The Arts : One Thread

I would like to know the value of two rubber Goebel dolls. On the back of the male doll is written W. Goebel, 1957, Charlot B, then it has a symbol, the symbol is either the letter H, the number 41 with a line drawn through it, or the number 71 with a line drawn through it. Then it has the number 2902, underneath the number it says Made in Germany. The female doll has the same information, except the number is 2901. The dolls were purchased in Germany in 1957. The dolls have their original cloths, girl, green white checkerd dress and orange pantalons, the boy has green overalls, and a black and white checkered shirt. The only thing missing is one of the boy's shoes. I would like to know the value of these dolls.

-- Tanya Crandall (bentanya@dsdial.net), January 15, 2000

Answers

"Kovel's Antiques & Collectibles Price List 1998" (Crown Publishers, 201 East 50th Street, New York, N.Y., 10022) has just one mention of a Goebel doll, listed as "Baby, Crown Mark, 16 inches," and priced at $375. But this does not take into account any specifics, such as condition and numbers. There is an auction house, Theriault's, based in Annapolis, Md., which is famous for their doll sales, as that is all they do. Please contact me at the email address given for their number. They might quote you a more accurate price.

-- Liza Montgomery (liza@thebee.com), January 17, 2000.

The dolls you have are Hummel dolls, you will find no information on them by looking up Goebel. The Goebel dolls are bisque and composition. The dolls were made by the Wm. Goebel company in Germany between 1952 & 1967. They are all rubber (after 1964 they started making them in vinyl) and are generally 11 - 12 inches tall, with molded painted hair and features; jointed neck sholders and hips. They have a signed head, tagged clothes and paper label. I found a listing in an antique price guide (1998) for one at $150. I've seen a couple at auction go for $150 and $200. So I would say that was the price range. Katie

-- Katie Coleman (keck105g@hotmail.com), January 21, 2000.

Moderation questions? read the FAQ