Vintage Paper Mache

Sometimes you get really surprised when you start looking at completed items on eBay. I was doing my usual searches through collectibles, vintage items, and antiques, when I came across something that really caught my eye. I was looking for things related to old paper, and sorting them by the prices they finished at, when something really jumped out at me. Vintage paper mâche items were selling like hotcakes. Not only was the old paper mâche selling well, it was selling for prices that shocked me.

The most expensive paper mâche item I found on my recent search, was a dog. This was not just any dog however, it was Nipper, the RCA dog. At 36 inches tall, it was not huge or anything and it was unrestored, but it still sold for a best offer price of $1000.

OK, I thought, there is an advertising angle on this item that could drive the price up. Then I started looking at all of the other paper mâche items that also sold for remarkable prices. At first I was unable to understand how these could be going for so much money, but then I started looking more closely at the items that actually sold. Although I've never thought about it, some of these pieces were truly works of art. There were paper mâche dolls and paper mâche representations of famous statues that were very intricately detailed and hand painted. Certainly, they are worthy of being called collectible at the very least.

For being such delicate items, the ones that have sold have been remarkably well preserved. If you come across any of these items being sold for reasonable prices at an estate sale or an auction, you may want to consider purchasing it. If not for your own collection, then possibly to resell eBay.