Understanding the Language

Good communication requires speaking AND understanding the same language. There are distinct terms used in collecting that mean... or should mean... the same thing to the collector.

Below is a list of terms with definitions to help you better understand what you see and read here.

Air holes: These are tiny holes Intentionally placed in inconspicuous places of a figurine during production to prevent the piece from exploding during firing.

Appraisal: The value assigned to an item by a recognized and accepted authority (knowledgeable person).

Authorized Retailer: A merchant who has been given the authority to sell a brand.

Backstamp: A mark placed on an item to denote something specific. Usually, it is found on the underside of the base.

Closed Edition: No longer in production. This may apply to a specific size of item only. Other sizes may still be in production.

Crazing: This is the formation of minor cracks in the glaze of a figurine. This is a Natural Condition that develops as the item ages. Many factors impact the speed at which an item crazes.

Exclusive: An item usually offered to a limited group such as club members or for a specific reason such as a charity.

ID Number: The mold number usually found on the bottom or back of an item. It may include numbers and/or letters which help to identify the item, size and sometimes the age of and item.

Limited Edition: An item that is produced for a specific period of time or in a limited quantity. This should enhance the prospective value of an item.

Lladro: Porcelain figurines manufactured by the company of Jose, Juan and Vicente Lladro or their families.

Lladro Collectors Society: An international organization created for the Lladro collector. There are exclusive figurines made available to the society member only on the primary market. There are other benefits as well.

M.I.Hummel Club: An international organization created by Goebel for the M.I.Hummel collector. There are exclusive figurines made available to the club member only on the primary market. There are other benefits as well.

Open Edition: Currently in production.

Possible Future Edition: Item has been modeled but not yet available for sale to the public.

Precious Moments Collector's Club: An international organization created for the Precious Moments Collector. There are figurines, produced exclusively for the club member along with other benefits.

Preview Edition: An item with a club backstamp and offered exclusively to club members FOR a specific preview period. It may as some later time, convert to open edition status and be produced and sold to the general public.

Primary Market: Authorized retailers who have been given the right to sell trademarked items.

Production Mark: The Precious Moments identification mark on the underside of the base placed there to indicate the production year. This ages the figurine and helps to determine value. It is incised within the base of the figurine. This practice began in 1981. Figurines produced before that are known as "no marks". Some pieces have the production mark inadvertently omitted. These are called "unmarked".

Redemption card: The personalized form enabling a club member to order and purchase exclusive items through an authorized retailer.

Retired: An item that has been Permanently removed from production....never to be produced again. Often times, the molds are broken.

Secondary market: The "Re-selling" of an item by or through a private individual. This can be done by merchants as well but the item has been previously owned.

Suspended: The item is not currently being produced But production may be resumed at some future date.

Temporarily withdrawn: An item is removed from production for an unspecified period of time. Resumption of production is uncertain.

Trademark: This is the identifying mark placed on an item to verify its authenticity and sometimes its age.