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The marketing photo first used was from a sample sculpture likely not entered for production. This photo shows a very different design on the bow in her hair, a light colored blouse and darker shoes. The apple, here held in her left hand, has greater detail with a stem and leaves. These changes were likely made to simplify the molds used and to speed the assembly process.
Produced in color only
Color $135 $195 in 1975
No other design variations have been noted in Pollyanna's five year run. Only slight color variations have been found in which various parts of the sculpture are darker or more vivid in color as shown in the examples below.
This piece is periodically found with her hands not positioned as well as the examples shown here. Often her arms and hand position changed slightly during the firing process and may appear awkward in how she holds the apple. This is not always noticeable until comparing items. Some sculptures have been offered on the secondary market with either the apple missing or having been broken off and reattached.
Rapunzel was the first sculpture in the Children to Cherish collection offered as a limited, numbered edition. According to the 1972 catalog she would be restricted to 3,000 copies. There were three editions of different colors planned of 1,000 each. The first Rapunzel released, in pink holding a mirror was extremely popular and had all 1,000 copies fully subscribed by the end of 1974. The second edition of 1,000 copies was released in Apricot in 1974. The apricot version was equally successful. The third and final version of 1,000 in lilac came in 1978.
Issue / Completed Price
$375 $425
Issue / Completed Price
$475 $525
While the delicate design of each piece is easy to see from the front, damage often occurs to the back of these sculptures when handled carelessly. Lack of attention to the flowers, ribbons and strands of hair frequently leads to damage when a piece is picked up and fingers apply pressure to parts that shouldn't be touched. OUCH.
Issue Price / Completed Price
$525 $675
Many collectors acquired all three Rapunzel sculptures. The three releases were not variations but were individual sculptures using the same basic mold, each with a unique theme. No design variations are known for any of the three versions. Significant color variations are found, particularly in lilac. Her gown will vary from pale to dark purple even appearing almost blue on some copies. This was due to heavy handed artist's techniques and/or kiln temperatures, but it wasn't intentional.
The Hall of Fame Collection was introduced in 1990 to commemorate the approaching 100th birth date of Boleslaw Cybis in 1995. Pieces in this collection were resized copies of earlier sculptures long since completed or retired. Rapunzel II was released in this collection by 1993 as a Portrait in Porcelain, not as a part of the Children to Cherish. There is no explanation as to why she was moved from the Children to Cherish group to Portraits in Porcelain. She was released as another limited, numbered edition with 1,500 copies to be made. This sculpture, reduced by one inch in size, was initially only available by mail order or when visiting the Cybis studio in Trenton. The studio having opened its doors to the public, was selling directly to collectors. Rapunzel II would later be offered online through the studio's website. It's likely only a few of these sold as the downsized models were not as popular as the earlier versions of Rapunzel.
Issue Price - $675
Early marketing photos in color and black and white show Little Red Riding Hood as a brunette. The cape's strings and tassels are in red but were changed to match the trim of her cape either prior to production or shortly after her introduction.
Color $75 $110
Production copies are found with blonde hair. Gone are the red strings and tassels of her cape. No design variations and no other color variations are known to exist.
No pictures were published of the brunette showing the back of her cape. While the design would likely be the same, it isn't known if the prototype had the hood's tassel painted red or if it was cape colored like the production piece.
The official name for this set is Goldilocks and Panda "Bear" and Panda "Bears". These two sculptures were sold separately but marketed as a set. Commonly referred to a Goldilocks and the three bears, the artist creating the set selected stuffed Pandas with one attached to the front of Goldilocks while a separate sculpture (of two additional bears) is free standing with one paw raised to meet the right hand of Goldilocks. When displayed together the two pieces appear to be joined as a single unit. Sold only in color. No design or color variations of either piece have been noted.
Issue Price / Completed Prices
Goldilocks and Panda "Bear"
$145 $145
Panda "Bears"
$75 $75
While the two sculptures were marketed as a set, collectors could purchase one without the other. In fact, some dealers ordered copies of Goldilocks without her additional companion piece. This explains why she is found very frequently sold on the secondary market alone, rather than the two sculptures together as a set.
Goldilocks was issued with a design number of 471 which was in keeping with the studio's policy of using the "400" series for human figures. No separate block of numbers had been designated for use on sculptures of children. Since there was no designated series of numbers for the Children to Cherish collection, this created a dilemma in assigning numbers for the "stuffed" bears. It would be logical to assume if Goldilocks was #471, the Pandas would be #472 since they were developed, issued and marketed as a set at the same time. But since the stuffed bears depicted animals they were assigned a design number in the "600" series from the Animal Kingdom and Woodland series. This established a precedent for two future releases. Little Bo Peep with her lost sheep Mandy and Baa, Baa, Black Sheep with Muffy, Fluffy White Sheep had design numbers issued the same way.
During production no design or color variations were made.
Issue Price / Last Published Price
$175 $499 in 1999
The original marketing photo indicated the flowers in Betty's hair were larger and of a different design. This was obviously changed prior to production as no examples similar to that picture have been found. All production pieces have five flowers as shown above.
Damage found most often on Betty will be broken fingers due to being picked up or handled incorrectly. Pressure on her hands from human fingers can result in damage.
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In the 1970's Cybis began working with dealers to offer special in-store events to promote Cybis. These events were often open-house style with refreshments and in some cases by invitation only. During these events, new introductions were often revealed and Cybis films were frequently shown in larger venues. Studio staff would attend these events to make presentations and answer questions. An exciting highlight of the event was the opportunity for attendees to purchase special "event only" items not available for purchase at large. This really was the forerunner of the late 20th century "collector's club". While not official, a customer who was invited to attend was being recognized as a member of a "special group" where they had access to acquire unique items setting his/her collection apart.
Patty Pink was an un-numbered limited edition available for purchase during select events. There were no design differences between her and Betty Blue. Her color theme was changed to pink and her name was changed to Patty Pink.
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Released for the U.S. Bicentennial Yankee Doodle was introduced in 1975 with his sister Elizabeth Ann following in 1976. The two were sold separately but marketed as a set.
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This endearing sculpture was released in pink with no design variations noted. Color variations in her hair range from blonde to light brown.
Color $225 $225
Another version of Melissa was released in blue with the name Evangeline. She was available for purchase to attendees who placed an order during special Cybis events held around the country at select/participating galleries and dealers. Other than the obvious pink to blue theme change Evangeline's cape did not have the raised floral print decorated with any color.
Melissa is frequently found for sale on the secondary market with the bows or ribbons broken off and missing from the top of her head.
Evangeline was a limited edition in that her production was limited to the number of orders received during the year she was available at selected events. She was not a numbered edition and it is not known how many were made. Rarely available.
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Cybis released several "double" figure sculptures during the later 1970's for the Children to Cherish collection. Skipper and Jens have no noted design variations among production models. A few minor color variations have been noted in the details painted on the boys jeans and shirts. Some are found without pockets outlined or stitching replicated. This may have been due to the decorator painting the pieces missing it or production could have been changed to exclude these details to expedite the process. However, there were several variations between the prototype and final model entered for release in 1977 as noted below.
Issue / Completed Price
$265 $425
The Studio had a long history of sculpting early models and then making modifications prior to actual production. Early on, these "prototypes" were used to take marketing photos in an attempt to keep new introductions on track with scheduled release dates. This can be seen on many of the 1960's children as noted on that page. In later years, Cybis got away from this practice as many sculptures received significant revisions to streamline production. However, those prototypes were shelved and later sold after the studio opened its doors to the public. That said, this early sample of Skipper and Jens has several variations. The base is the first obvious change. The production piece is modeled to look like grass, as if the boys were outside. It also has the addition of a small green plant next to the boy's left foot. The production model removed the blue neckerchief on the red haired boy but added a design painted on the yoke of his shirt. The red neckerchief on the blonde boy got a minor color change but made it into production. The last notable change was the restyled "fluffier" hair with added texture on both boys.
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This sculpture was a complex piece that had production problems. Kiln failures were high and orders were slow. Those two issues resulted in a short run for Lisa and Lynette. It was never clear as to who was who as the sculpture could be displayed from either side. Only minor differences are noted in a prototype where the girl in blue has more detailed hair. No design or color variations have been noted in production pieces.
Issue / Completed Price
$285 $395