Action Kewpie Doll "Down on His Luck", ca. 1915
Appraised Value:
$4,000 - $5,000
IMAGE: 1 of 1
Appraisal Video: (2:18)
Appraisal Transcript:
GUEST: They were on my husband's side of the family. His grandmother had it and gave it to her daughter, and she ultimately gave it to me. I love her and I just want to know more about her.
APPRAISER: Okay, well, you sure it's a her?
GUEST: No. (laughs) Come to think of it.
APPRAISER: Well, Kewpies-- you really don't know if they're a he or a she. They're one of those kind of things that could be either or. It's a Kewpie. It was designed by Rose O'Neil, and this particular thing probably didn't come from the old country. This was made around 1913, up into the 1920s. So it was probably bought in New York as a little gift for her room. It's what they call an action Kewpie, because they're doing things, not just a normal Kewpie standing there. This is an unusual one with the Kewpie, with the two baby Kewpies. Very good quality bisque porcelain, maybe made by a company called Hertwig, which was a German company that produced lots of nice little novelty figures. This particular Kewpie, the Kewpie that collectors call "Down On His Luck." So I guess he was expecting one baby and ended up with two. If you look around the back, little blue wings. All Kewpies that are real Kewpies have blue wings. No wings, they're not a Kewpie. Not a Kewpie. Did you have any idea what you think it could possibly be worth?
GUEST: Well, I thought maybe $25. I didn't know.
APPRAISER: Okay, well, originally when it was new, it was a little novelty thing made for children. It probably cost no more than 25 to 50 cents. It's in good shape. It's good quality. And if you can find it, it would probably retail between $4,000 and $5,000.
GUEST: Oh, really?
APPRAISER: Yeah, really. I mean, it's a very rare action Kewpie. So "Down On His Luck" isn't so down on his luck at all.
GUEST: Oh, my heavens.
APPRAISER: Be very fortunate that you own it. It's really adorable.
GUEST: Oh, she will have... he—it will have,… It, it will have a place of honor in my home.
APPRAISER: Cool. Well, thank you very much.
GUEST: Well, thank you. Thank you very much, Richard. Whew.
