Americans have been collecting Presidential and campaign collectibles since the advent of America.
Dating back to George Washington's administration, collectibles such as brass campaign buttons (the type that one sewed onto their overcoat) and paper documents highlighting speeches and political platforms interested collectors.
Some of the most common collectibles relating to the presidential history relate to George and Martha Washington.
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An Obama action figure in the package is worth $15. Effanbee’s George and Martha Washington dolls with important provenance are worth $1,000, however.
Painted oil on canvas portraits of Washington, Cantonware dinner plates like those used at Mount Vernon, and campaign buttons hold their value with collectors.
From historic documents with Washington's authenticated autograph to plastic mugs featuring his likeness, objects featuring the father of our country command high values at auctions.
Recently, I appraised a rare pair of dolls made by the Effanbee company featuring George and Martha Washington in period costumes.
The George doll is dressed in a tricorn hat and military garb typical of the 18th century and the Martha doll wears a lace-trimmed dress and pink overcoat. These collectible Washington dolls by Effanbee are worth $1,000.
I always advise people to collect political objects that chronicle a historic event or major sea change in the political process.
Traditionally, those objects hold their value long term.
Presidents Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Jackson are arguably the most popular Presidents when it comes to the antiques and collectibles market.
For instance, a circa-1864 Lincoln and running mate Johnson (later President Johnson) campaign buttons featuring the two men's likenesses have sold for upward of $5,000 each.
1900s antiques
Since the 1900s, President Theodore Roosevelt's interesting personality and love of hunting was highlighted by some of the world's toy companies during his administration. In 1909, the Schoenhut Toy Co. manufactured the Teddy Roosevelt African safari set featuring a group of moveable action figures.
The set came with a printed landscape scene and action figures of President Roosevelt, fellow hunters, and wild animals including lions, tigers, giraffes and gorillas. Recently, this antique toy set sold for $44,000.
In addition to objects chronicling the service of our Presidents, collectors have amassed objects from recent political campaigns too. For example, campaign ephemera like John Kerry and John Edwards bumper stickers and lawn signs have not brought big bucks on the market.
Instead, many people are trading their George W. Bush or informal "W" memorabilia and commanding good amounts of cash online.
The collectible objects featuring the now famous Barack Obama logo of the hopeful "O" landscape image in red, white and blue from the 2008 campaign has fared well, too.
On the other hand, the Obama action figures which are clearly marked "collectible" on the packaging will not command big bucks.
When it comes to presidential collectibles make sure your piece is authentic and is of historical value in order to get a good return on your investment.
Watch Dr. Lori on Discovery's hit TV show, "Auction Kings." Celebrity Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author and award-winning TV personality, Dr. Lori presents antique appraisal events.
As seen on NBC's "The Tonight Show," Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and Lifetime Television, Dr. Lori offers information about antiques at www.DrLoriV.com, www.facebook. com/DoctorLori or call 888-431-1010.
