A Brief History of the Bobblehead Doll Ahh yes, how we enjoy our beloved bobblehead dolls. Always good for a laugh or to cheer you up, excellent conversation pieces and often quite nostalgic. You ever wonder just how and when did the bobblehead originate?
Bobblehead dolls have been around since the 19th century and have had many names. They're often referred to as head nodders, head knockers bobbing head dolls or even wacky wobblers.
It wasn't until 1960 that the bobblehead became truly popular when Major League Baseball decided to produce these nodders for some of it's teams and players. Roberto Clemente, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, and Willie Mays were some of the first non-mascot nodders created. The vintage hand-painted papier-mâché and ceramic dolls depicting baseball players from the 1960s are among the most whimsical collectibles in baseball.
The first dolls, which were made by Lego in Japan, were hand-painted on papier-mâché. These first dolls were generic, depicting the same large-eyed boy in a different team uniform, his baseball-capped head bobbing about whenever the doll was moved. Some dolls featured team mascots—mascot dolls of the Indians, Braves, and Pirates are tough to find. In general, the most collectible dolls are the ones from 1960-1962, with square or round orange or white bases. Dolls from 1962-1966 had green bases, while ones from 1967-1970 were painted gold.
I Happen To Collect Bobblehead Dolls. Where Can I Find Some Rare Pieces?
The world of baseball nodders and bobbleheads in the 1960s was an almost exclusively Caucasian place, but in 1962, African American dolls were produced. Even then the manufacturer could not get the skin tones right—two versions of Willy Mays exist; the one with darker skin is valued more highly than the lighter-skinned version. African American dolls from the Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, and Houston Colt .45s are especially collectible.
If your looking to invest in these rare bobbles, there are a few places to look:
- Online auction sites: One of the best sites to check out is Ebay. Just type in whatever it is your looking for into the search box and go from there. Also, some government auction sites list nostalgic, vintage memorabilia as well.
- Online forums: There are collectors that participate in online forums in hope of selling or trading their rare bobbleheads.
- Visit your local flea market: get up early (this is when the best merchandise is out) and check out your local flea market. One man's "junk" is another man's treasure! A yard sale is also a great place to look.
A quick tip:
One of the problems with vintage nodders and bobbleheads is that they were quite fragile, which is a problem for an object that’s meant to be played with by children or mounted on the dashboard of a car. The dolls cracked and chipped easily. While repainting or repairing a doll is a relatively simple process, such changes tend to lower its value, so it’s better to find a piece “as is” than one that has been freshened up.
Modern Day Bobblehead Dolls
The bobblehead doll has come a long way over the centuries and their not just for Major League Baseball anymore! As ceramic bobble heads began to appear, the dolls branched out into other sports and even some rock bands got in on the deal, with The Beatles bobble head set being one of the most famous – and probably most valuable of all time. Now, we have the entertainment world offering many themes that have been licensed for manufacturers. You name it, you can most certainly find it. Drama, science fiction, comedy, horror films and musicals to name a few. Remember, most bobblehead dolls are produced in limited quantities, so if your looking into purchasing one, grab it as fast as you can! You can find them at any toy or hobby retail location, but the best places to look are online. (suggestions: Entertainment earth.com, Amazon.com, Ebay.com, Face It Figures.com)
Here's a list of the more sought after bobblehead dolls today:
- Major League Baseball(MLB): Of course they are! This is where it all began! Popular teams include the Mets, Phillies, Braves and Yankees
- National Football League (NFL): That's right! Football bobbleheads are almost as popular as the MLB bobbles now. Popular teams include the Packers, Giants, Patriots and Eagles.
- Star Wars: One of the most iconic movies of all time. A franchise that continues to grow, you can find pretty much anything Star Wars. Popular characters include Yoda, Chewbacca, Han Solo and Darth Vader. "Luke, I am your father!"
- Advertisements and TV Shows: Yes, that cute little gecko you see in those Geico commercials has his very own bobblehead doll! And guess what? TV ads and television shows are becoming more popular in the world of bobbles! Characters include Progressive's Flo, Jersey Shore's Snooky, The Office Dwight Schrute, Dexter and The Simpsons
- Movies: Did you really think Star Wars was the only one on our list? You can't forget about The Dark Knight, Harry Potter, The Godfather and Predator just to name a few.
Licensed bobbleheads are vast in assortment. The list goes on and on. Political figures, historical figures and more.
Custom Made Bobblehead Dolls
Now you can have your very own personalized bobblehead made. Some categories for custom bobbleheads include Men, Women, Couple, Kids, Corporate, Celebrities, Christmas, Valentines, Sports, Animals, Entertainment and many others. The possibilities for these dolls are vast. They are not just for celebrities any more. Now anyone can have one made completely based of their photo submissions and instructions. These are usually made of hand sculpted clay or polyresin. These bobblehead dolls are ever growing in popularity and at the present time there are countless collectors of these dolls.
How Can I Find A Custom Made Bobblehead Doll
Ordering these dolls can be quite difficult, especially if you do not know of companies in your area that offer high quality services. You need to be sure about a company's performance because making these dolls is truly not a joke. It entails a lot of skill and talent to be able to create a single doll that is based on an actual figure; therefore, you need to be very selective when choosing a specific maker or supplier.
If you do not have any idea on where to begin, you can always ask for some recommendations from friends and colleagues who may have an idea about these dolls. You can also look through local malls and doll suppliers because most of them also offer bobblehead dolls that are customized according to your preferences. The internet is also a very rich source of these types of products, and you will be able to see a few listings in the industry that offer the best dolls. Try to check a few user reviews and ratings to see how a company has performed based on the experiences of previous customers. Try to do a thorough background check to be able to come up with a great decision. Consider the quality of product, pricing and turnaround time. Follow these guidelines, and your good to go!
So, just what can these dolls be used for? Excellent question.
- Wedding Cake Toppers: The custom bobbleheads can be used as a cake topper in most of the festivals and occasions. In terms of weddings or any ceremonies most of the people prefer to order the cake with wedding couple custom bobbleheads instead of a normal cake which has become a common and outdated trend. This in turn will in no doubt draw the guests and will also become an important talk of the party.
- Business: Businesses may find them useful for promotion. At the time of sales calls you can give out these custom bobbleheads to your customers as gifts. They are also a unique way to gain brand recognition with advertising. (corporate events, sponsors, promotional meets)
- A Unique Gift: Give one of these and they'll never see it coming! Not many people know about them, so they're unexpected. They are not just great to collect, but they make great gifts for birthdays, holidays anniversaries or any other special occasion.
These tend to be a bit pricey, but when you see it, you'll know that they are well worth it. After all, each one is a one of a kind personalized doll! A hand painted and sculpted work of art that's sure to bring many happy faces and hold sentimental value. Now that's something you can't put a price tag on!
Whether your looking for a few laughs, seeking your next collection or hobby, or you need a unique gift, bobblehead dolls are always a great choice. With the vast variety available, there's one for everyone. These dolls continue to grow in popularity and will always be one of the most sought after collectibles of all time.
If you would like more information on the history of the bobblehead doll, click here.
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