Collectibles--General (Modern)/Thimble Collection

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Expert: Wynneth Mullins - 10/30/2004


Question
Hi
In 1977 I purchased a limited edition collection of thimbles called "The First Ladies of the United States Thimble Collection".  The collection was produced by Franklin Porcelain.  There are 42 bone china thimbles individually decorated in 24 karat gold.  Each thimble has a cameo portrait of an original work of art based on official First Ladies portraits from the White House and from the permanent collection of the Library of Congress.  I have a Certificate of Authenticity that came with the collection.

I purchased 2 per month receiving the last one in 1981 (Nancy Reagan).  Each has a paper telling about that first lady.  They are in pristine condition as they were displayed in a handmade wooden case with a glass front.  There are no cracks, marks or damage of any kind.  They have not been handled.

My question is - Where can I find out the value of this collection?  If I should decide to sell where should I try?

thank you for any help you might be able to give me.

Carol

Answer
Hello Carol,

Thank you for your question.  The collection you are referring to is bought and sold sometimes on eBay.  The best place to check out value would be eBay.  Your collection sounds very nice and complete however, the Franklin Mint collectibles have not held their value.  I would try selling the collection on eBay after taking some time to see what sets are selling for.  I hope this helps.  Thanks,

Wynneth

Collectibles--General (Modern)

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Wynneth Mullins

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I am a digitabulist - a thimble collector. I have been collecting thimbles since 1976 and have my own newsletter called Thimble Guild. I started a local thimble collectors group, Thimbles Are Us, in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area in 1985. I was Second Vice-President of Thimble Collectors International from 1988 - 1992. I have been a guest speaker on thimbles at local collectors groups, womens groups and churches. I am knowledgable about sterling and gold thimbles made in the US as well as England, Germany, France, Russia, Norway and a few other countries. I am familiar with manufacturer`s marks and codes, assay marks and date marks and other unique marks meaningful to any thimble collector. I am knowledgeable of porcelain, china, brass, pewter, bronze, aluminum, plastic, silver plated, coin and base metal thimble marks. Some questions I might be asked...what makes a thimble valuable (scarce maker, desirable pattern, commemorative, etc.)...where can I find more information on thimbles... are there collectors groups out there...is there a newsletter for collectors...what books are available on the subject? I am very happy to share my knowledge with anyone but will not make appraisals. To do that, you must be able to look at the thimble in person. I have a friend that has a saying, A knowledgable collector is a wise collector. She is a wise collector. In 1992, at the TCI Convention in San Diego, CA, I was given the highest honor in the thimble collecting community. It is called the Myrtle Lundquist Award. It reads, Lundquist Award - Compassion - Caring - Sharing - Awarded to Wynneth Mullins 1992. This award gives me a lot to live up to!

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