Avon Collectibles

For more than 80 years, the Avon company has been selling personal care and beauty products, jewelry, and other fine items, often packaging their products in collectible glassware. The glassware packaging and the products themselves are very popular with collectors, and there are several sources that specialize in these collectibles.

Where to Buy Collectibles From Avon

Whether you're interested in the glassware or vintage Avon products, you'll find a number of these items at local antique shops and flea markets. However, if you're looking for the best selection, the Internet is your best shopping resource.

The Glass Menagerie

The Glass Menagerie specializes in glass Avon containers of all types and eras. Prices range from about $10 to $70, depending on the rarity of the glassware and the era in which it was made. There are many items from the 1960s through the 1980s.

FindAvon.com

Specializing in a variety of Avon collectible glassware and original products, FindAvon.com has plenty of great items to choose from. You'll find dolls, Cape Cod ruby glass, figurines, and collectible plates as well, all made by the Avon company. Prices are affordable, and most items cost less than $30.

Vintage Treasures A to Z

Vintage Treasures A to Z has a more limited selection of Avon collectibles, but it's still worth checking out for the quality of the items. There are a number of glassware and china collectibles, as well as Avon beauty products in mint condition and with their original packaging. Prices range depending on the item, but most pieces are less than $60.

Avon Collectible Shop

Offering everything from Christmas ornaments to jewelry by Avon, the Avon Collectible Shop is another great shopping resource. You'll find items priced as low as six dollars, as well as more valuable pieces to add to your Avon collection.

eBay

Perhaps one of the best sources for Avon glassware and collectible items is eBay. With thousands of vintage and antique Avon items, you'll have to be specific about what you want to find. However, you'll have great luck finding items that may be more challenging to locate in other stores.

Popular Avon Items for Collectors

In the mid 1960s, Avon began producing novelty containers for perfumes. The first glass car decanter, introduced in 1968, was an instant hit and is still one of their most popular collectibles today. Collectors loved the new products, and Avon began creating more collectibles to charm their fans. Most of the collectibles are not particularly valuable; their value is in the joy they give to those that collect them.

Every collector is different and will have a favorite item to collect. Christmas decorations and several Avon perfume containers are the most popular items to collect.

Bells

The Christmas bell is probably one of the most sought-after items for people collecting Avon products. Each year, Avon produces a unique bell with a holiday theme, such as snowflakes, holly, or wreaths. Avon has made many other collectible bells including the following:

• Precious Moments
• Metal carousel bells
• Ruby red Cape Cod glass hostess bells

Collector's Plates

The first Avon Christmas plate was issued in 1973 and entitled Christmas on the Farm. It has a robin's egg blue band around the outside, and the center is a primitive illustration of a farm. Like every Avon collector's plate, the date is written on the band.

Avon has issued a new Christmas plate every year since and along the way has added other collectible and commemorative plates. The plates are quite reasonably priced. Even the first collector's plate produced can be purchased for under $50.00.

Check the plates for cracks, repairs, chips, and faded paint. Try to get those that come with the original box intact as these are more valuable than plates without the original box.

Collectible Dolls

Avon produces collectible dolls in many different themes. Some of the dolls that Avon has produced include the following:

• Cinderella
• Rapunzel
• American Heirloom
• Barbie
• First Day of School

Figurines

Avon figurines are favored by many collectors. Mrs. Albee figurines are particularly difficult to find because they are awards given to Avon representatives and not released to the general public. Other favorites are the Scarlett O'Hara and annual Christmas figurines.

Produced in porcelain, pewter, and ceramics these figurines come in a number of motifs:

• Birds
• Animals
• Movie characters
• Nativity
• Lionel trains

Ornaments

Avon releases collectible Christmas ornaments every year in some of the following popular themes:

• First Christmas Together
• Baby's First Christmas
• Precious Moments
• Pewter ornaments

Perfume Bottles

Many collectors begin collecting Avon with fragrances. People tend to collect the special issue fragrance bottles such as the glass cars and animals. Collectors also enjoy fragrance bottles that are unique because the fragrance was available for a limited time.

Figural perfume bottles, like the car created in 1968, are especially popular. Other fun bottles and glassware items include the following:

• Pink and Pretty Miss Kitty Decanter
• Sweet Honesty Christmas Stocking
• Cotillion American Belle
• To a Wild Rose Hobnail Bell
• Pretty Peach Soda Decanter

Plush Products

Avon has created a line of plush toys that are highly collectible, including these special items:

• 1985 Carmichael the Cat
• 1991 Kangaroo
• 2000 Radio Rabbit
• 2000 Lion
• 2002 Anniversary of the Teddy Bear

Steins

You don't have to collect dolls and perfume bottles to enjoy Avon collectibles. Tankard mugs have become very popular items amongst male collectors, similar to the popularity of collecting German beer steins. Themes for the steins, tankards and mugs include these popular topics:

• Baseball
• Cars
• Cowboys
• Motorcycles
• Ships

Avon Collecting Tips

Although Avon collectibles tend to be affordable, it's still a good idea to know as much as you can about this market. That way, you can avoid buying a fake or wasting your money on a product that isn't priced competitively.

Make Sure the Item Is Authentic

All collectible products that have been developed by Avon will carry the Avon Fine Collectibles logo. Sometimes the company partners with other brands like Cherished Teddies or Precious Moments. These items will not be marked with the Avon logo even though they have been exclusively created for Avon. Generally, if they are in the original packaging, the item will have wording that says something to the effect of exclusively created for Avon.

If you don't see the item marked with the Avon logo, think twice about your purchase.

Look for Items in the Original Packaging

As with many collectible items, the original package can dramatically enhance the value of Avon collectibles. These items command a higher price on the secondary market if the collector keeps the box they came in. Keep in mind that items in their original packaging with the certificate of authenticity, if there was one, will be worth far more than collectibles that have lost their boxes.

Understand the Value of Your Piece

Before you buy or sell a piece of Avon glassware or another collectible item, you should get a thorough understanding of the value. Although original packaging and the condition of the piece are important, the biggest factor that drives the price of these items is the demand. If no one is collecting your item, then it isn't worth as much.

To find out the value of your piece, examine the wares at various Avon shops, and then look at recently sold items on eBay. You'll find out whether these pieces are selling and the amount that collectors paid for them.

A particularly helpful book on this topic is Bud Hastin's Avon Collector's Encyclopedia, which includes information about and values for a number of collectible pieces. You can also speak with an antique appraiser online or in person for the best sense of a piece's value.

National Association of Avon Collectors

If you would like to find out more about Avon collectibles, the National Association of Avon Collectors is a great place to start. This organization has chapters all over the United States as well as abroad. The chapters often have monthly meetings and there is also a yearly convention held for all members.

Unfortunately, the National Association of Avon Collectors doesn't have an Internet presence. The best way to contact this organization is by writing to the following address:

You can also connect with other collectors through ICollectAvon and Avon Collectors.

Plenty of Collecting Opportunities

Avon products and packaging offer a wealth of collecting opportunities, especially since most items are affordable for the average collector. Research the type of collectible that interests you, and be on the lookout for your next great piece.