There are many different and fun Carousel Collectibles out there. Here are a few things to learn...(I had a store from 1978-90, that specialized in Carousel and Horse art and Collectibles).

Many materials were and are used to make the small carousel horses, from fine porcelin, to china, plaster, crushed pecan shells, wood, peweter, brass,and glass.

Limited Editions...are those pieces produced only in that quantity stated on it...some numbered individually , as 2/1000, meaning this was the #2 piece of only 1000 produced. These usually originally came with paper certificates. The lower the total number produced, depending on the artist or manufacturer, usually the more valuable. Cybis, Llardro, PJ's Carousels(crushed pecan shells and resin), Chilmark (pewter) are in the calaber. All these are signed by the company and numbered.

There are some of the more modest priced Limited Edition ones too, such as the Tobin Fraley collections, Precious Arts collection, Willets, Smithsonian , some SanFrancisco Music Box collection. (I'll add others as I think of them.) All these are signed by the company and numbered.

Hand Signed by the artist pieces, means hand signed by the individual artist, sometimes at signing parties or special events. Signatures can be printed in the piece and are not as valuable.

Some manufactures have created a "limited to 30 days of firing"..that could mean a million pieces...such as Franklin Mint, these are pretty, and collectible, but don't plan to get rich on them.

Unlimited Editions are the majority of most of the collectible carousel figures. Fun pieces , some created to look like the real carousel horses, many just pretty . Many manufacturers out there. There names that come to mind were Austin, The collectible market goes through phases, the bigest years for Carousel Collectibles was during the 1980-90's. Many fine pieces were made.

Size ranges usually were for the

Carousel Ornaments...2-4 inches

Small tabletop 4-6 inches

Medium tabletop 8-9 inches

Large tabletop 12-18 inches, this size seemed to be made in the smallest quanties.

Some collections were reminesent of a particular carousel, some by style, or carving company ( such as Illions, Dentzel, Muller...after the real horses). The Managerie and fantasy creatures were always very popular, such as lion, tiger, seahorses (hippocampus) etc.

Carousel Animals only come in 3 styles...just like the real ones....

Jumpers are and horse or animal with all it's legs in the air, jumping , trotting, pacing,or running.

Prancers are those animals with the front 2 feet in the air and the back 2 feet on the ground. Either striking or rearing.

Standers are thos animals with 3 or 4 legs straight (or almost straight down to the ground or base). These would be in a Standing, walking, or almost trotting position, but supported by their own legs.

You can really get carried away with these...and maybe end up with a big one one day....hope this helped you a little , Marsha