Overview
A pair of hand-painted ceramic figurines representing the post-war 'kitsch' aesthetic, featuring a girl with a functional apron pocket and a boy in a prayerful pose.
Identification
Luminere 'Story Book Characters' Ceramic Figurines, c. 1950s
Photo reference
2 uploaded photos
Story
These whimsical 'Story Book Characters' exemplify the mid-century American desire to fill postwar homes with comforting, domestic kitsch. Driven by the post-WWII housing boom, functional nursery giftware that doubled as miniature planters or windowsill accents…
Maker / Origin
Produced by Lamar of California and distributed under the 'Lum' label, the figurines reflect the booming 1950s California commercial pottery industry.
Condition & Value
Valuation relies heavily on the preservation of the fragile cold-paint details and the absolute absence of chips to the delicate ceramic extremities. The girl figurine shows significant crazing (fine surface cracking) throughout the glaze, which is a natural aging process but can lead to staining if exposed to moisture.
Full Research
See what it's actually worth.
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Market Analysis
Direct comparables for the Lamar 'Story Book Characters' line are relatively sparse (2/3), so this estimate is market-informed based on secondary marketplace results rather than premier auction houses. The owner correctly identified the maker as Lamar of California, which resolves the initial attribution uncertainty. Intact, single Lamar figurines in excellent condition—such as a 'Mistress Mary' or 'Goldilocks'—consistently realize between $16 and $21 each. However, the market demonstrates a bulk discount effect for sets; a recent lot of four Lamar figures sold for $28, or roughly $7 per piece. Because the subject item is a thematic pair (boy and girl) retaining the original 'Lum' foil label, they hold better retail synergy than a random bulk lot, supporting a combined set valuation of $25 to $35, assuming no chips, hairlines, or severe loss to the cold-painted accents.
Value Drivers
▲ Presence of the original 'Story Book Characters by Lum' foil label, which provides crucial provenance and completion appeal.
▲ Thematic pairing of the boy and girl figures, which increases display synergy over single replacement pieces.
▲ Dual functionality of the design (acting as both figurines and miniature planters/toothpick wells).
Concerns
▼ Thin overall collector market; demand is restricted to niche buyers of mid-century nursery kitsch.
▼ Bundled or paired lots typically face a bulk discount compared to single items sold as direct replacements.
▼ Values drop severely (sub-$10 per figure) if there is any structural damage, chipping to delicate extremities, or substantial loss of the unglazed cold paint.
Best Venue
Etsy or eBay, where algorithms specifically cater to niche mid-century decor and 'cottagecore' collectors.
Upside Potential
Selling the figures individually on a secondary marketplace to collectors seeking specific pieces to complete their sets, which may yield a slightly higher per-item return.
The upgraded report is now attached to this item.