Just how long have doll house miniatures been around? Believe it or not, some of the earliest documented history about the tiny accessories comes from the 1850s and 1860s in Germany. Though there were many different manufacturers, Biedermeier was the first company to produce high-end furniture in a miniature format. German companies continue to be known for their high-quality products because of the amount of time they put into developing original pieces, however, they are currently in second place behind the United States due to their rising labor costs that in turn lead to higher prices. One may typically think of doll house miniatures as being constructed out of wood or a hard plastic, but there was a time when paper furniture and houses were king. Warren Paper Products was the leader in this market in the 1920s and had very little competition. Due to the Depression, paper dolls, furniture and houses were quite popular because people could not afford much above and beyond the basic necessities. Interestingly enough, collectors of Warren Paper Products will find that they are not valued as highly as some of their lesser-known competitors--Andrews, Durrel Co., Gables House & Carton Co., Grimm & Leeds Co., Jayline Toys Inc., McLoughlin Brothers, Sutherland Paper Company, Transogram, and Wayne Paper Products. This is simply due to the concept of supply and demand. Warren Paper Products were produced in large quantities while the others were not, thus the competitor's items were not and are now considered to be more valuable. Purchasing miniatures as an investment can be simple. When products are made in limited numbers or are discontinued, they rise significantly in market price. Spending a little bit more for a limited edition piece can mean a big return on your investment. It's as easy as doing a little bit of research on the history of a product before purchasing--your bank account will thank you later. |
