Memberships run for an annual term from date of joining. This author suggests that no matter when a member joined, it is best to renew your membership during the period January 1 to March 1 each year so that you can receive the annual membership kit as soon as it is available, which is usually in March.

Since I'm not a purist, I mix figures with abandon to suit a particular whim or occasion. But, for those wanting only Fontanini in their collections then some caution is in order, especially with online auctions. Know the marks, know the pieces, or know the seller!

Item 2, EBAY
Being a somewhat serious eBay shopper, with thousands of bids and over 500 purchases, I can truthfully say I've never been burned on an auction - but I have learned a few lessons.

1. Sellers don't always know their merchandise, so if they have left out important information like size and markings, and if you can't tell for sure by just looking, by all means email the seller and ask!
2. Be leary of an auction title that says Depose unless the description mentions the item is marked DEPOSE ITALY or DEP ITALY with a spider (sometimes "looks like a bug") or a fountain, or Fontanini. See #1.

   "Depose" is marked on many European collectibles (French, German, Swiss, Belgian, as well as Italian), including dolls, watches and ceramics. It just means officially manufactured, like "registered." Yet, a few sellers think it's a manufacturer's name or type of product when it comes to Nativity figures. So, anything made in Italy that resembles polymer resin they call Depose. Beware. See #1

3. Be leary of auctions that say "this came with Fontanini so must be," or "I was told this is Fontanini," unless the description gives the marks. See #1
4. Avoid sellers who consistently misname their merchandise despite gentle education and evidence to the contrary. See #1
5. Figures marked on the bottom with number-slash-number (such as 320/70) are not Fontanini, but I like them anyway. ~
6. Earlier Fontanini cherubs and most of the small mangers were marked ITALY only. Many authentic versions of Baby Jesus have no mark whatsoever.

If you've decided to collect the REALLY old Fontanini, there is no definitive authority, and you'll just have to learn with the rest of us. That's one of the things we do here -- compare notes. The Fontanini Cousins have promised that research is underway to compile some sort of historic reference, but chances are we'll write the book before they do. (LOL!)

If you're in doubt, just ask and someone here just might be able to answer. If not, you can teach the rest of us with YOUR experience!

But, most of all, HAVE Fun !

(written by Suzia 01-08-2000)

1. Collect only those figures you like. Don't be persuaded to buy something just because you think it will appreciate in value. Trends change very quickly and you might find you've invested a lot of money in pieces you can't sell and don't like!
2. If it gives you pleasure to have complete sets, choose a set which has either recently begun or for which there are not yet too many pieces, e.g. the tour figures (3 total) are a good place to start.
3. Don't pay big bucks for a discontinued figure until you've watched the market and have a good idea of what's a reasonable price. Prices can double (or drop by half) in a single day!
4. Unless a figure is very old and desirable, insist on MIB (mint condition w/box & story card).
5. Sometimes it's useful to collect figures according to a theme. I am currently collecting new and retired figures according to Old Testament stories (e.g. Caleb is OT Abraham, Judith is OT Sarah, etc.) Or another idea is to think in terms of "vignettes." For example, on one or more shopping trips, you could build a vignette around the Inn, getting the building, Thaddeus and Elisabeth, plus any other "extras" or accessories you think might fit the part.
6. Try to buy at issue price or less, even for discontinued figures. Good sources are your local dealers, the Fontanini BB Swap & Sell, and Jeff's site. Sometimes you can get good deals on e-Bay also, but I find e-Bay is best for hard to find figures.
7. Be honest in all your transactions. If you trade or sell a figure, and it is not MIB, say so.
8. Join the Fontanini Collector's Club. This is a real must in order to know what's going on.
9. Have fun!!!

(written by Karen R. 'KBReeman' 01-06-2000)

(written by Bonnie Jean in FL 01-06-2000)

There is another series of figures, called the Signature Collection, measuring 4.5" (11cm). All of these came with a Simonetti imprint. They were sold in burgundy boxes with clear plastic lids and had burgandy-bordered, large story cards.

(written by Suzia 12-31-1999)

All picture boxes and story cards were commissioned by Roman, Inc. for the western collectible market. The Roman copyright date of 1990 or later appears on these items and is not related to when a particular figure was issued or resculpted.

Your best resource for comparing 5" figures and dates is the Fontanini Registry and Guide which was issued in collector's kits. The R&G's are also available from some dealers for about $5.

(written by Suzia 12-31-1999)

Next, you need a very small funnel. or you can make one out of aluminum foil by making a cone and inserting one end into the hole. Fill the dome with descaler, this is the product you use in humidifiers to remove the white residue. Let that sit for a while...swishing carefully until the "frost" is gone. Then drain and RINSE WELL...this is the most tedious part, because you have to fill so many times through that little hole.

Once the dome is thoroughly rinsed, fill with distilled water and sprinkle the glitter back into the dome by putting the glitter in the funnel and slowly adding a bit more of the water. Cover the plug opening with a tiny scrap of teflon tape and replace the plug. VOILA !!!

After much frustration and a lot of patience, your glitter dome is looking good as new. And the distilled water should keep it from frosting up again....also, KEEP IT OUT OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT. That seems to cause problems with "fogging" and water loss.

(written by kendra1966 01-10-2000)