Overview
This colorful, whimsical resin photo frame features iconic artwork by Mary Engelbreit, complete with her signature checkerboard border, scattered vintage toys, and a central Santa Claus figure inscribed with the word 'BELIEVE'.
Identification
Mary Engelbreit 'BELIEVE' Christmas Photo Frame by Charpente, 1996
Photo reference
2 uploaded photos
Story
Mary Engelbreit is a highly recognizable American illustrator known for her whimsical, colorful, and nostalgic folk-art style. During the 1990s, her designs were heavily licensed across various home goods. Charpente produced many of her 3D resin decor items during this era, which are now collected as vintage 90s nostalgia. The secondary market for 1990s Mary Engelbreit items is currently driven by nostalgia and vintage holiday decor enthusiasts. Buyers are highly active on platforms like Etsy, eBay, and Mercari.
Maker / Origin
Unattributed
Condition & Value
For vintage resin items of this type, value depends heavily on the absence of chips, cracks, or paint loss, particularly on the protruding 3D elements like the toys and Santa figure. The presence of the original glass insert and a sturdy, functional easel back are required to reach the higher end of the valuation range.
Full Research
See what it's actually worth.
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Market Analysis
The secondary market for 1990s Mary Engelbreit items is currently driven by nostalgia and vintage holiday decor enthusiasts. Buyers are highly active on platforms like Etsy, eBay, and Mercari. Holiday-themed items, particularly those featuring Santa Claus or Christmas motifs, generally move faster and command slight premiums over her everyday floral or domestic patterns, especially when listed in Q4.
Value Drivers
▲ Iconic Mary Engelbreit styling with signature checkerboard border appeals to dedicated collectors.
▲ Christmas/Holiday theme ('BELIEVE') generally commands a premium over everyday patterns.
▲ 3D sculpted resin construction places this in the higher tier of Charpente frames.
Concerns
▼ Unverified easel back — a broken or missing stand would severely impact utility and drop value to the $15-$20 floor.
▼ Hidden chips or paint rubs on the protruding 3D resin elements (Santa, toys) would lower the estimate.
▼ Unverified glass — a missing original glass insert reduces appeal for immediate use.
Best Venue
List on Etsy or Mercari, as these platforms cater strongly to 90s nostalgia and vintage holiday decor buyers. Ensure photos clearly show the 1996 Charpente maker's mark and highlight the intact 3D elements. A list price of $45-$50 is appropriate, leaving room to accept offers in the $30-$35 range.
Upside Potential
If the frame includes its original Charpente retail box and tags, it could realize the high end of the $50 range or slightly exceed it to a mint-in-box collector.
▾Also found — market-range context
Related comps outside the valuation band· 1 comp
Surfaced during research but not used to anchor the valuation — wrong form, species, era, or no published price. Shown so the market range around this item is visible.
Also found — market-range context
Related comps outside the valuation band· 1 comp
- eBayMARY ENGELBREIT 1997 Charpente Picture Frame 7.5"x 9" for 2.5"x 4" PictureLink could not be verified.$13