Collecting Vintage Josef Originals Figurines

JosefOriginalsCollection

About Josef Originals:

Josef Originals are designed by artist Muriel Joseph George who is the creator of Josef Orignals back in 1945. These figures are created with the utmost attention to authenticity, including the detailed ceramic construction and 24K gold paint for character accents. Cute animals, charming dolls, delightful Christmas characters.

Some of the more popular lines created by Muriel for Josef Originals:

  • Dolls of the Month Series–A doll for every month of the year
  • Days of the Week Series–Dolls for every day of the week
  • Little Pet Series–Children with pets
  • Birthday Girls Series–Dolls for every year from newborn to 21
  • Birthstone Dolls Series–Girls with dresses the same color as birthstones
  • Career Series–Showing careers such as teachers and nurses
  • All sorts of Christmas figurines

There is a story behind the name “Josef Originals.”

The name was supposed to be spelled “Joseph,” but the printer made a mistake on the first set of labels that were ordered. It was too late to change the labels. The orders were in and the ceramics had to be shipped. So, “Josef Originals” was born.

Today, Josef Originals figurines are gaining in popularity and prices are starting to go up. When you are looking for these figurines be sure that they retain their sticker labels and if they are birthday girls they should retain their poem tags….this makes their value higher. Ebay, Etsy, Antique Shops, Thrift Stores are where you can find these cuties. The doll figurines can be had for $14.99-$50 and the older figurines with black eyes and black labels can go as high as $75+. The Christmas figures too are going for approx. $45-$75 on average. How many Josef Originals do you have in your collection?

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Do You Collect Josef Originals?

It was about a year ago that I first came across a little 6-year-old birthday girl angel figurine. I was out product sourcing when I found this little figurine. I noticed that when I turned the figurine upside down she had “Josef Originals” incised. I had no idea at this point what a Josef Originals was but was glad the figurine was marked as items that are marked or signed tend to sell faster and for higher prices then un-marked or un-signed items and the price tag on this little figurine was well within my budget.


I got the little figurine home and opened up my MAC to begin a bit of research on “Josef Originals” and sold her that evening! Well, it turned out that buying this little figurine was indeed a good investment as she sold right away for more than 4 times what I snapped her up for. I now know that there are many collectors of Josef figurines and the Birthday Angles are just one of many series of figurines that were created by the company. Since I had not known about Josef Originals until last year, there are perhaps others that don’t as well so I thought the below might be helpful as the world of Josef Originals is a highly-sought after market.


About Josef Originals:

Josef Originals are designed by artist Muriel Joseph George who is the creator of Josef Orignals back in 1945. These figures are created with the utmost attention to authenticity, including the detailed ceramic construction and 24K gold paint for character accents. Cute animals, charming dolls, delightful Christmas characters.

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Main Street Collectors Mall & Soda Fountain

Gorgeous day in Milwaukie, Oregon. Stopped in to visit Collector’s Mall on Main Street and their famous soda fountain. I have never been in collectibles shop with a soda fountain let alone soooo many toys and lunchboxes! Collector’s Mall is a pretty big place located right in the heart of old-town Main Street in Milwaukie, Oregon that is stuffed with toys, comics, records, lunch boxes, Star Wars memorabilia and as the lady who was ringing up my purchases said “this place if filled with so much crap”! I found some really cute items and it is NO exaggeration when I say I really had to dig and hunt for my 3 finds that consist of two Josef Originals figurines (a 4 year old Josef Original Birthday Angel and a Josef Original May Birth Month Figurine, along with a set of Miller Studio Chalkware Seahorse, Starfish and Sea Shell wall plaques).  I had a good time and urge you collectors out there to stop in for a visit if you are in the town of Milwaukie, Oregon as you may have to really dig and hunt but I am sure you walk out with some great treasure!

Main Street Collectors Mall & Soda Fountain
10909 SE Main Street
Milwaukie, OR 97222

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