Whether you call them nodders, wobblers, nodding dolls, or – our favorite – Bobbleheads, these personalized dolls have a long and interesting history. In fact, you might be incredibly surprised to learn a few things about the Bobblehead business, and the next time you see one bobbing in the back of a car window or used as a bookend on your best friend’s shelves, why not wow your companions with some of these incredible facts? Let’s take a look at some unbelievable things you might not know about personalized Bobbleheads.
They can be worth a fortune.
While our Bobbleheads are on sale for a few dozen dollars, you’ll have to dive deep into your bank account to afford some of the incredible dolls on the market these days. In the 1960s, Bobbleheads were made of the ‘Bronx Bomber’-era New York Yankees, but virtually all of them have been lost – except two. But they sprang up in 2015, and the owner put them up for auction. Incredibly, they fetched almost $60,000. With this in mind, the time to get your children immortalized as a Bobblehead could be right now. If they end up batting for the Yankees in a historic season in the future, it could be worth a small fortune.
Bobbleheads are very old.
The United States of America was formed in 1776. But Bobbleheads are even older! The first examples of Bobbleheads were recorded in Europe and China as early as the 1760s. These early models were ceramic, and then when the trend started to be commercially viable, manufacturers started to make them from papier-mache in the 20th century. In fact, two of the earliest Bobbleheads in existence were sold in 2010. A pair of Bobbleheads resembling a husband and wife, created in the early 1800s, was sold for a considerable amount more than $30,000.
Bobbleheads exist in literature.
Believe it or not, but Bobbleheads have been a start in many works of literature – from hundreds of years ago, too! A Russian short story published in 1842 described a character as having a neck like ‘those plaster cats which wag their heads.’ If you are a true Bobblehead fan, make sure you read the book called “The Overcoat” by the Russian author Nikolai Gogol.
Bobbleheads can be huge.
DO anyone watch ‘Conan?’ The talk show host ordered his production team to build one of the biggest ever Bobbleheads on record. In 2012, the Conan show built a 17-foot tall Bobblehead out of high-density foam and then gave it to the city of Chicago. However, the Art Institute of Chicago declined the offer to house the giant Bobblehead, and instead, it ended up as Harold’s Chicken Shack on Wabash Avenue. Fans of Bobbleheads – and chicken – have been making pilgrimages to the place ever since.
Bobbleheads have a museum – almost.
A group of hardcore Bobblehead enthusiasts are currently in the process of creating a National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum. The museum aims to display all kinds of Bobbleheads from history, including famous faces from the worlds of sport, entertainment and politics. The museum founders state that they have found a permanent location in Milwaukee, and are currently going through architectural renderings and choosing one to create as a building. Watch this space for more news, Bobblehead fans!
Bobbleheads are political
While we do personalized Bobbleheads for our customers, some politicians get them made of their colleagues. Take Robert Blaha, for example. According to reports, the Colorado candidate for US Senate spent over $1,100 on Bobbleheads – each of them a replica of other important politicians. He put them on TV – in his political commercials – and even took them on the road with him while getting on the campaign trail.
Bobbleheads are religious
There’s even a Bobblehead of Pope Benedict XVI out there. And it caused some controversy within the Catholic church. However, it wasn’t the fact that the Pope’s Bobblehead actually existed., Instead, it was because the designer used the wrong kind of cap and robe.
The future is bright for Bobbleheads
According to researchers, Bobblehead popularity reached its zenith in the 1960s, when they could be found pretty much anywhere you looked. However, since 1999, they have slowly been coming back into fashion. Bobblehead historians credit this rise in popularity to a Willie Mays giveaway by the San Francisco Giants, which commemorated the 40th anniversary of Candlestick Park. And if you want more proof of the popularity of Bobbleheads, look no further than us! We’ve been established for many years now, and business has never been better.
You can have a Bobblehead for any person.
The technology for making Bobbleheads has moved on a lot in recent years, of course. And as Bobblehead makers who can create lifelike heads from the photos of any person, we know exactly how impressive that technology is. Without a doubt, there are no limits on the kind of Bobblehead you can buy these days, and the design choices are vast. You can get a Bobblehead of your favorite celebrity, your favorite sports star, or even of yourself or someone you love.
You can have a Bobblehead for any occasion.
Bobbleheads are also suitable for virtually any occasion you can think of. They make great gifts for groomsmen, are an excellent present for wives, family members, children or friends, and if anyone you know has a special interest or hobby, why not give them a Bobblehead based on their hobby? The reality today for anyone looking for a Bobblehead is that if you can dream up a good idea, we can make it happen. Why not give us a call or take a look around on our website to see how you could – possibly – make your ideas and dreams into a reality? Bobbleheads are fun, good value for money, and make a completely unique gift. And if you have any questions with regards to Bobbleheads, or want to discuss your design ideas, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our friendly team is waiting for your call and will give you the help you need.